The co-founder of X-Ray Touring Steve Strange, from Carrickfergus, in County Antrim, died following an illness, aged 53.
X-Ray Touring has Eminem, Erasure, Kodaline, Queens of the Stone Age and Stereophonics on its books.
Steve started his music industry career at The Limelight Belfast in the 1980s, before becoming an agent in London a few years later.
ATL Introducing collated tributes, and invited artists who knew him and who had worked with him to pay tribute.
I met Steve quite late on in my career. A man who had always been 'around' and was such an influential figure within the regularly burgeoning NI scene. He was the man every band wanted to get their demo to. The man who we all wished to receive a call from. His legend preceded him by light years and the stories of his backstage behaviour at the shows of various NI acts and awards ceremonies was the stuff of legend.
Little Matador were proud to call him our agent. He gave us great opportunities, getting us support slots with the likes of QOTSA, Jimmy Eat World, and having us open for NIN at Belsonic as our second gig, a slot that greatly belied our experience as a new band, albeit one made of battered musical journeymen, and they are shows I will be forever grateful to him for. Those experiences couldn't have happened without him.
While I had always seen Strangey at Ash and SP shows, I finally met him backstage in a sold out Shepherds Bush Empire in London when Little Matador opened for Band Of Skulls.
Unassuming doesn't cut it.
A man of stocky build, wearing a leather jacket that wouldn't look out of place on a bouncer, Adidas tracksuit bottoms with snap buttons down the side and what can only be described as 'proper' shoes. Laughing like a drain while telling stories of recent escapades with NWOBHM giants, Saxon, in his booming voice, this man was the agent for so many successful NI acts that I had looked up to as a young musician and for so many HUGE international artists, but you would simply never know it to look at him.He was a conundrum of a man in this way but was such a warm and funny person to be around. His name was never far from anyone's lips when talking about NI music and his laugh was always heard echoing around the city anytime there was a buzz about the place or a hometown show for one of his acts. A beacon of positivity and the best man to have waiting for you backstage after a gig if you want to feel good about yourself, he looked after his acts like no other.
The reaction of so many in the music industry to his passing is testament to the huge influence which Strangey has had on the business. While the influence will live on and he'll never be forgotten within the NI scene in particular, I'm sure the backstage areas of Snow Patrol and Ash shows will be a much quieter place now without Strangey around. RIP Strangey, see you at the after show.
Dave MaGee - LaFaro/Little Matador
I met Steve Strange many times over the years and always felt like his energy was infectious. He was one of those people who made you feel completely protected when you were around him. I will miss his bark of a laugh, his unwavering support of the acts he loved and that Northern Irish sense of humour that felt like home when I was in his presence. The world lost one of the greats today. Rest easy Steve x
Mairéad Carlin
Steve Strange found our band in the basement of a bar in Belfast. His best friend Phil stopped in for a pint, ventured downstairs and sent a video to Steve. He sent back two words, ‘sign them’. This was the beginning of a wonderful adventure for our band and Steve was at the heart of it. Throughout our time working together he was caring, making time to listen to new tracks despite an unbelievably busy schedule and transatlantic flights. Steve was hilarious, full of laughter and had a million stories to tell. You felt lucky to be a small part of his world, and he made an effort to make you feel like you belonged in it. We’ll miss you Strangey.
Brand New Friend
We are so sad to hear the terrible news of the passing of Steve Strange. We were one of his newest signings and in every meeting we had he brought enthusiasm and happiness into our lives, he was a down to earth legend who really believed in our music. Steve guided us through the business and gave us the opportunity to play Reading & Leeds as well as our first ever London show. These experiences are invaluable for a band like us just starting out. This is one of the many reasons why Steve was such a great guy as he always looked out for local acts to to support and has done so much for the music scene in Belfast and beyond. He was one of those people who made the world a better place and will be a massive loss to the music industry, thank you Steve, Rest in Peace
Orlaith Mollie and Mamie - Dea Matrona
"To picture a world without Steve in it is to picture a world so diminished. With less joy, less positivity, less optimism, less heart. Quieter, duller and much less interesting".
"So instead we'll remember the joy he brought so many people and tell Steve Strange Stories."
Snow Patrol
