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Rusty Egan: The Autobiography
Rusty Egan, co-founder of Visage and resident DJ at London's iconic Blitz Club, helped define the New Romantic music movement. His autobiography captures the birth of British electronic music, 1980s London nightlife, and collaborations with Midge Ure, Steve Strange, and other pioneers.
Rusty Egan is one of the most iconic and influential figures in the electronic music industry. His career began in the music industry as a runner at DJM studios, followed by a stint at WEA Records. Rusty collaborated with former Sex Pistols member Glen Matlock, alongside Steve New and Midge Ure, to establish the new wave band Rich Kids. Their debut album, Ghosts of Princes in Towers, released in 1978, achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. During the Rich Kids tours, Rusty met Steve Strange. This encounter led to Rusty's concept for a club night at Billy's, a Soho venue, catering to fashionable punks and showcasing the music they were passionate about. In 1979, they moved their club night to the Blitz in Covent Garden. As the resident DJ at the Blitz, Rusty played a pivotal role in introducing British, German, and Japanese electronica to the British club scene, essentially curating the soundtrack for the burgeoning New Romantic movement.
Rusty Egan was instrumental in the formation of the band Visage with Midge Ure. Steve Strange joined them as the frontman (face and voice), and the lineup was completed by Billy Currie on keyboards, along with John McGeoch (guitar), Dave Formula (keyboards), and Barry Adamson (bass), all from the band MAGAZINE.
Beyond his band work Rusty co-founded the incredibly popular Camden Palace nightclub in London with Steve Strange, where he continued to champion and shape the development of electronica in the UK. He also established Metropolis Music, a publishing and production company, allowing him to create music as well as perform it.
In more recent news, Rusty released his album Welcome To The Dancefloor in 2017, which featured collaborations with Midge Ure,Tony Hadley, and Peter Hook. Rusty Egan is still regularly DJing and in October 2025 will be releasing his new album Romantic to coincide with this autobiography and the Design Museum's Blitz Club Exhibition centred of course, around Rusty and the Blitz Kids.
Rusty Egan is one of the most iconic and influential figures in the electronic music industry. His career began in the music industry as a runner at DJM studios, followed by a stint at WEA Records. Rusty collaborated with former Sex Pistols member Glen Matlock, alongside Steve New and Midge Ure, to establish the new wave band Rich Kids. Their debut album, Ghosts of Princes in Towers, released in 1978, achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. During the Rich Kids tours, Rusty met Steve Strange. This encounter led to Rusty's concept for a club night at Billy's, a Soho venue, catering to fashionable punks and showcasing the music they were passionate about. In 1979, they moved their club night to the Blitz in Covent Garden. As the resident DJ at the Blitz, Rusty played a pivotal role in introducing British, German, and Japanese electronica to the British club scene, essentially curating the soundtrack for the burgeoning New Romantic movement.
Rusty Egan was instrumental in the formation of the band Visage with Midge Ure. Steve Strange joined them as the frontman (face and voice), and the lineup was completed by Billy Currie on keyboards, along with John McGeoch (guitar), Dave Formula (keyboards), and Barry Adamson (bass), all from the band MAGAZINE.
Beyond his band work Rusty co-founded the incredibly popular Camden Palace nightclub in London with Steve Strange, where he continued to champion and shape the development of electronica in the UK. He also established Metropolis Music, a publishing and production company, allowing him to create music as well as perform it.
In more recent news, Rusty released his album Welcome To The Dancefloor in 2017, which featured collaborations with Midge Ure,Tony Hadley, and Peter Hook. Rusty Egan is still regularly DJing and in October 2025 will be releasing his new album Romantic to coincide with this autobiography and the Design Museum's Blitz Club Exhibition centred of course, around Rusty and the Blitz Kids.
244 pages, Hardcover
Published January 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 23, 2026
I always thought I was born at the wrong time and at the wrong place! Why? This book is why!
Aptly called The Autobiography, Rusty Egan brings to life the Blitz club and the New Romantics scene that shaped a generation of young artists, musicians, fashion designers et al. Many people would later emerge from that scene and become very successful.
But at the center of it all was Rusty and Steve Strange, an unlikely duo that become the raison d’être of many young people during that time. Bringing a new sound to the then bleakness of London, Rusty relates here how it all began. Very interesting for anyone who loves that scene and that music, the underground nightlife and the weird creatures of the night. Rusty really seems like a fun and down to earth kinda guy and his personality shines through! I’m sure he would be really fun and interesting to talk to!
Aptly called The Autobiography, Rusty Egan brings to life the Blitz club and the New Romantics scene that shaped a generation of young artists, musicians, fashion designers et al. Many people would later emerge from that scene and become very successful.
But at the center of it all was Rusty and Steve Strange, an unlikely duo that become the raison d’être of many young people during that time. Bringing a new sound to the then bleakness of London, Rusty relates here how it all began. Very interesting for anyone who loves that scene and that music, the underground nightlife and the weird creatures of the night. Rusty really seems like a fun and down to earth kinda guy and his personality shines through! I’m sure he would be really fun and interesting to talk to!
June 23, 2026
I've heard Rusty give talks in person. He is an immensely likeable guy, with impeccable musical taste whose role in defining the sound of the 1980's is beyond question. He speaks at 100 miles an hour and jumps from topic to topic with wild enthusiasm that he passes on to his listeners. He also writes in the same way, which can take a little getting used to.
The book moves along at a breakneck pace in this style and you can't help but think that here and there you wouldn't mind a bit more depth such as Spandau Ballets first gig as the Blitz house band, seminal moments like that.
When he gets to the 1990's there is a large gap in his story, presumably when he was raising his boys as mostly a single father. It would have been good to hear a bit more about this period also.
Also the book is rather on the short side for a guy who has been an integral part of at least two massive musical movements (Punk and the new Romantics).
Interesting and fun, like Rusty himself, but leaves you wanting, more.
The book moves along at a breakneck pace in this style and you can't help but think that here and there you wouldn't mind a bit more depth such as Spandau Ballets first gig as the Blitz house band, seminal moments like that.
When he gets to the 1990's there is a large gap in his story, presumably when he was raising his boys as mostly a single father. It would have been good to hear a bit more about this period also.
Also the book is rather on the short side for a guy who has been an integral part of at least two massive musical movements (Punk and the new Romantics).
Interesting and fun, like Rusty himself, but leaves you wanting, more.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews