British singer Steve Strange dies at 55

Steve Strange, lead singer of British band Visage, has died in a hospital in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, his record label said Thursday.

He died of an apparent heart attack. He was 55.

Strange was one of the founders of the 1980s' New Romantic style. And '80s stars are remembering him.

Visage had its best-known hit in 1980 with Fade To Grey, but Strange probably had greater influence as co-founder of London's Blitz club, notes AP. It became the crucible of a blend of danceable pop and outrageous fashion that became known as New Romantic.

The genre produced stars including Culture Club, Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet.

Spandau Ballet said Friday that Strange, whose real name was Steven Harrington, was "a huge influence on the musical and cultural landscape of the Eighties."

Strange's agent, Pete Bassett, told BBC that the singer would be remembered as "a hard-working, very amusing and lovable individual who always was at the forefront of fashion trends. Up until last year he was putting together a book of fashion styles based on the New Romantic movement and it comes as a great shock."

Bassett added that he "understood" Strange "had certain health problems but nothing we knew was life threatening. His friends and family are totally shocked, we had no idea anything like this was likely to happen."