Spandau Ballet star leads tributes to Eddie And The Hot Rods’ Masters

Spandau Ballet star Gary Kemp has hailed the late Barrie Masters, of the band Eddie And The Hot Rods, for helping to “usher in” punk music.

Masters died on Tuesday aged 63 but the cause of death remains unknown, according to his former tour manager Adam Smith.

Kemp recalled watching Masters play at the Marquee Club in London in the 70s.

He said on Twitter: “Sad news that Barrie Masters has died.

“My bro@realmartinkemp and I saw every sweaty show they did at the Marquee in Wardour Street Soho that hot summer of ’76.

“Such a great frontman and what a band, who helped usher in punk. 96 tears, Barrie.”

Kemp, who founded new wave group Spandau Ballet in 1979 with brother Martin, has cited so-called pub rock as one of the band’s major influences.

Masters, whose band came to define the pub rock genre, was the frontman of Eddie and the Hot Rods, who formed in Canvey Island, Essex in 1975. They scored a top 10 in 1977 with Do Anything You Wanna Do.

Indie singer-songwriter Sam Duckworth, who releases as Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, was among those who paid tribute.

He said on Twitter: “Thank you Barrie Masters. Essex legend. Pioneer.

“Blasting the Hot Rods this am. Growing up hearing stories about how legendary this band were, how they set the tone for punk, how they and the Feelgoods (fellow pub rockers Dr Feelgood) put Essex on the map.

“Oh man. My Dad’s band opened for them at what is now Koko (among other places.)

“Pub rock is in my DNA.”

A post on the Hotrods’ Twitter page announced Masters’ death.

It said: “It is with extreme sadness we announce the passing of the legendary Barrie Masters.”

The band kicked off their career with residencies in London clubs before being signed to Island Records.

In 1976 they made headlines when they played at London’s Marquee Club while supported by the Sex Pistols, who went on to smash the Hot Rods’ gear following a chaotic set.

Over the years they became known for their punk style and were often considered as one of the founding groups of the genre.

They released eight studio albums and, aside from Do Anything You Wanna Do, were known for songs including Teenage Depression, Quit This Town and I Might Be Lying.

Masters was the only constant member of the band, which split and reformed several times and saw numerous line-up changes.

Barrie Masters performing on stage in Skegness in 2014.