# Rich Kids
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{{Short description|English new wave band}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Rich Kids
| image = Rich-kids.jpg
| caption = L-R; Steve New, Midge Ure, Rusty Egan, Glen Matlock
| image_size =
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| origin = [London](/source/London), England
| instrument =
| genre = [Punk rock](/source/Punk_rock), [power pop](/source/power_pop), [new wave](/source/New_wave_music)
| occupation =
| years_active = 1977–1979 {{small|(reunions 2010, 2016 and 2019)}}
| label = [EMI](/source/EMI)
| website =
| past_members = [Glen Matlock](/source/Glen_Matlock)
[Steve New](/source/Steve_New)
[Rusty Egan](/source/Rusty_Egan)
[Midge Ure](/source/Midge_Ure)
[Mick Jones](/source/Mick_Jones_(The_Clash_guitarist))
Bill Smyth
}}
'''Rich Kids''' were a short-lived [new wave](/source/New_wave_music) band from [London](/source/London), founded in 1977 by [Glen Matlock](/source/Glen_Matlock) following his departure from the [Sex Pistols](/source/Sex_Pistols).[{{cite web|url=http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/rich_kids.htm |title=The Rich Kids - Early UK Punk Rock band |publisher=Punk77.co.uk |access-date=2015-07-08}}][{{cite web|url=http://punkygibbon.co.uk/bands/r/richkids.html |title=Rich Kids |publisher=Punky Gibbon |access-date=2015-07-08}}] The band also included teenage guitarist [Steve New](/source/Steve_New), former [Slik](/source/Slik) and future [Ultravox](/source/Ultravox) member [Midge Ure](/source/Midge_Ure) and [Rusty Egan](/source/Rusty_Egan), who both later founded [Visage](/source/Visage_(band)) together. They released one [album](/source/album) and three [singles](/source/single_(music)) during their existence, from March 1977 to December 1978 (although the official announcement of their disbanding was not made until mid-1979).
Rich Kids were amongst the foremost British exponents of the [power pop](/source/power_pop) style, blending influences from 1960s acts such as [Small Faces](/source/Small_Faces) and [The Who](/source/The_Who) with more recent [punk rock](/source/punk_rock) sounds. Only the first of their three singles entered the [Top 40](/source/Top_40) in the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart).[{{cite book
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| page= 460
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5}}]
==Career==
Rich Kids were formed in 1977 by bass player [Glen Matlock](/source/Glen_Matlock) after he left the [Sex Pistols](/source/Sex_Pistols). An early line-up consisted of [keyboardist](/source/keyboardist) Bill Smyth, [Rusty Egan](/source/Rusty_Egan) on [drums](/source/Drum_kit), [Steve New](/source/Steve_New) on [lead guitar](/source/lead_guitar), and [The Clash](/source/The_Clash)'s [Mick Jones](/source/Mick_Jones_(The_Clash_guitarist)).[Strong, Martin C.: "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", 1999, Canongate, {{ISBN|0-86241-913-1}}] [Midge Ure](/source/Midge_Ure), whose band [Slik](/source/Slik) had split up and reformed as the punk sounding [PVC2](/source/PVC2), moved to [London](/source/London) and joined Rich Kids.[{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4WM6Cb1z-PwC&q=%22Rich+Kids%22&pg=PA313 |title=Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock, 1970-1982 - George Gimarc |isbn=9780879308483 |access-date=2015-07-08|last1=Gimarc |first1=George |year=2005 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation }}][{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4WM6Cb1z-PwC&q=%22Rich+Kids%22&pg=PA313 |title=Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock, 1970-1982 - George Gimarc |isbn=9780879308483 |access-date=2015-07-08|last1=Gimarc |first1=George |year=2005 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation }}] Smyth left the group followed by Jones, who continued with The Clash.
Rich Kids recorded their first set of radio sessions on 1 October 1977 for the 7 November broadcast of [BBC Radio 1](/source/BBC_Radio_1), hosted by [DJ](/source/Disc_jockey) [John Peel](/source/John_Peel).[{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/sessions/1970s/1977/Oct31therichkids/ |title=Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 31/10/1977 The Rich Kids |publisher=BBC.co.uk |access-date=2015-07-08}}] Following on 13 January 1978,[{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/emi2738 |title=Rich Kids - Rich Kids / Empty Words - EMI - UK - EMI 2738 |publisher=45cat.com |access-date=2015-07-08}}] they were ranked at #24 on 4 February UK Charts with their first self-titled single "Rich Kids".[{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19780129/7501/ |title=Official Singles Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company |publisher=[Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company) |access-date=2015-07-08}}] This caught more attention from the [BBC](/source/BBC), who invited them to perform on ''[Top of the Pops](/source/Top_of_the_Pops)'' and several more sets for the short-lived live music TV series [''Revolver''](/source/Revolver_(TV_series)) hosted by [Peter Cook](/source/Peter_Cook).[{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=99ahAgAAQBAJ&q=Rich+Kids+150&pg=PA250 |title=Popular Music And Television In Britain |date=2013-01-28 |isbn=9781409494171 |access-date=2015-07-08|last1=Inglis |first1=Dr Ian |publisher=Ashgate Publishing }}][{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=99ahAgAAQBAJ&q=Rich+Kids+157&pg=PA250 |title=Popular Music And Television In Britain |date=2013-01-28 |isbn=9781409494171 |access-date=2015-07-08|last1=Inglis |first1=Dr Ian |publisher=Ashgate Publishing }}]
On 22 March, they recorded a further session for John Peel's 3 April broadcast.[{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/sessions/1970s/1978/Mar20therichkids/ |title=Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 20/03/1978 The Rich Kids |publisher=BBC.co.uk |access-date=July 8, 2015}}] Another single, "Marching Men"[{{cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/emi2803 |title=Rich Kids - Marching Men / Here Comes The Nice (Live Version) - EMI - UK - EMI 2803 |publisher=45cat.com |access-date=July 8, 2015}}] was released on 19 May as means to promote the release of their album [produced](/source/record_producer) by [Mick Ronson](/source/Mick_Ronson). Despite taping a video promo for [Donnie Sutherland](/source/Donnie_Sutherland) and ''After Dark'', the song did not chart. At their [Lyceum](/source/Lyceum_Theatre%2C_London) show in spring 1978, Ronson played guitar and [Ian McLagan](/source/Ian_McLagan) (ex-[Faces](/source/Faces_(band))) played [keyboards](/source/keyboard_instrument). Several of the band's performances were featured in the 1980 film ''[D.O.A.](/source/D.O.A._(1980_film))''.[{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082226/|title=D.O.A. (1980)|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=July 8, 2015}}][{{cite web|url=http://www.midgeure.co.uk/archive/richkidssetlists.html |title=HOMELAND - Official Midge Ure Website |publisher=Midgeure.co.uk |access-date=July 8, 2015}}]
Matlock and New later played with [Sid Vicious](/source/Sid_Vicious) in the band [Vicious White Kids](/source/Vicious_White_Kids), which only played one concert.[{{cite news|first=Scott|last=Mervis|title=Never mind the legacy: Here's the Sex Pistols|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2014/03/25/Never-mind-the-Sex-Pistols-Glen-Matlock-goes-solo-acoustic/stories/201403250049|newspaper=[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](/source/Pittsburgh_Post-Gazette)|publisher=[Block Communications](/source/Block_Communications)|location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|date=March 24, 2014|access-date=December 2, 2018|page=G1}}]
The Rich Kids released the album ''[Ghosts of Princes in Towers](/source/Ghosts_of_Princes_in_Towers)'', and the single of the same name, in August, with the latter ranking only at No. 51.[{{cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/emc3263 |title=Vinyl Album - Rich Kids - Ghosts Of Princes In Towers - EMI - UK |publisher=45worlds.com |date=January 7, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2015}}][{{cite book|first=George|last=Gimarc|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4WM6Cb1z-PwC&q=%22Rich+Kids%22&pg=PA313 |title=Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock, 1970-1982 |publisher=[Hal Leonard Corporation](/source/Hal_Leonard_Corporation) |location=Milwaukee, Wisconsin|date=2005 |access-date=July 8, 2015|isbn=978-0879308483}}] Their last TV appearance was at the [University of Reading](/source/University_of_Reading) where they taped a live show for ''[Rock Goes to College](/source/Rock_Goes_to_College)'' on 27 October.[{{cite web|url=http://hardprog.pagesperso-orange.fr/rock_goes_to_college_episode_guide_091.htm |title=rock goes to college episode guide |publisher=Hardprog.pagesperso-orange.fr |access-date=July 8, 2015}}][{{cite news|first=Pierre| last=Perrone |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/steve-new-troubled-guitarist-with-rich-kids-glen-matlocks-postsex-pistols-band-2000459.html |title=Steve New: Troubled guitarist with Rich Kids, Glen Matlock's post-Sex Pistols band - Obituaries - News |newspaper=[The Independent](/source/The_Independent) |publisher=Independent Print Ltd.|location=London, England|date=15 June 2010 |access-date=8 July 2015}}] But the band ran into creative differences as they recorded demos for a second album. Having acquired a synthesiser, Ure, alongside bandmate Egan, wanted to integrate the new instrument into the band's sound while Matlock and New preferred to remain with traditional guitars and drums. This resulted in the group's decision to go their separate ways.[{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/news/rich-kids-reform |title=Rich Kids Reform | News | Clash Magazine |date=27 November 2009 |publisher=Clashmusic.com |access-date=2015-07-08}}][{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/news/rich-kids-reformation-details |title=Rich Kids Reformation Details | News | Clash Magazine |date=3 December 2009 |publisher=Clashmusic.com |access-date=2015-07-08}}] New died from [cancer](/source/cancer) on 24 May 2010.[{{cite web|url=http://shapersofthe80s.com/2010/05/24/2010-%E2%9E%A4-rich-kid-steve-new-aka-stella-nova-dies-at-50 |title=2010 ➤ Rich Kid Steve New (aka Stella Nova) dies at 50 |publisher=Shapersofthe80s.com |date=2010-05-24 |access-date=2013-06-17}}]
[[File:RICH_KIDS_-_LIVE_IN_LONDON_27.03.2019.png|thumb|Rich Kids with [Neal X](/source/Neal_X) on guitar in 2019.]]
In February 2016, it was announced that Rich Kids, with [Gary Kemp](/source/Gary_Kemp) on lead guitar and James Hallawell ([Waterboys](/source/The_Waterboys)) on keyboard, would reform for a joint headline show with [The Professionals](/source/The_Professionals_(band)) at London's [O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire](/source/O2_Shepherd's_Bush_Empire) for 16 May.[{{Cite web|url=http://www.withguitars.com/rich-kids-professionals-joint-headline-show-announced-first-time-ever|title=Rich Kids and The Professionals – Joint Headline Show Announced For The First Time Ever|website=WithGuitars|access-date=2016-03-25}}] The show was rescheduled for 23 June due to ongoing structural work at the venue.
The band reunited for a one-off appearance at the [Vive Le Rock](/source/Vive_Le_Rock_(magazine)) awards at The [O2 Academy Islington](/source/Islington_Academy), [London](/source/London) on 27 March 2019, with [Neal X](/source/Neal_X) of [Sigue Sigue Sputnik](/source/Sigue_Sigue_Sputnik) standing in on lead guitar.[{{Cite tweet|number=1111155552690888704|user=midgeure1|title=Rich Kids.......|first=Midge|last=Ure|author-link=Midge Ure|date=Mar 28, 2019|access-date=19 November 2023}}]
==Personnel==
*[Midge Ure](/source/Midge_Ure) − lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards (1977–1979, 2010, 2016, 2019)
*[Glen Matlock](/source/Glen_Matlock) − bass, lead and backing vocals (1977–1979, 2010, 2016, 2019)
*[Rusty Egan](/source/Rusty_Egan) − drums (1977–1979, 2010, 2016, 2019)
*[Steve New](/source/Steve_New) − lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1977–1979, 2010; their death)
*[Mick Jones](/source/Mick_Jones_(The_Clash_guitarist)) − guitar, backing vocals (1977)
*Bill Smyth − keyboards (1977)
=== Guest musicians ===
*[Gary Kemp](/source/Gary_Kemp) – lead guitar, backing vocals (2016)
*[James Hallawell](/source/The_Waterboys) – keyboards (2016)
*[Neal X](/source/Neal_X) – lead guitar, backing vocals (2019)
=== Timeline ===
{{#tag:timeline|ImageSize=width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:90 bottom:80 top:5 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1977 till:27/03/2019
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4
ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1977
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1977
Colors =
id:lvocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals
id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar,_backing_vocals
id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass,_backing_vocals
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album
id:other value:gray(0.7) legend:Other_release
id:bars value:gray(0.95)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
BarData =
bar:Midge text:Midge Ure
bar:Steve text:Steve New
bar:Gary text:Gary Kemp
bar:Neal text:Neal X
bar:Mick text:Mick Jones
bar:Bill text:Bill Smyth
bar:James text:James Hallawell
bar:Glen text:Glen Matlock
bar:Rusty text:Rusty Egan
PlotData =
color:lvocals width:13
bar:Midge from:01/01/1977 till:31/12/1979
bar:Glen from:01/01/1977 till:31/12/1979 width:3
bar:Midge from:07/01/2010 till:07/01/2010
bar:Glen from:07/01/2010 till:07/01/2010 width:3
bar:Midge from:03/02/2016 till:23/06/2016
bar:Glen from:03/02/2016 till:23/06/2016 width:3
bar:Midge from:27/03/2019 till:end
bar:Glen from:27/03/2019 till:end width:3
color:lguitar
bar:Steve from:01/01/1977 till:31/12/1979
bar:Mick from:01/01/1977 till:14/06/1977 width:3
bar:Steve from:07/01/2010 till:07/01/2010
bar:Gary from:03/02/2016 till:23/06/2016
bar:Neal from:27/03/2019 till:end
color:rguitar
bar:Midge from:01/01/1977 till:31/12/1979 width:7
bar:Mick from:01/01/1977 till:14/06/1977
bar:Midge from:07/01/2010 till:07/01/2010 width:7
bar:Midge from:03/02/2016 till:23/06/2016 width:3
bar:Midge from:27/03/2019 till:end width:3
color:keys
bar:Bill from:01/01/1977 till:14/06/1977
bar:Midge from:01/01/1977 till:31/12/1979 width:3
bar:Steve from:15/06/1977 till:31/12/1979 width:3
bar:Midge from:07/01/2010 till:07/01/2010 width:3
bar:James from:03/02/2016 till:23/06/2016
color:bass
bar:Glen from:01/01/1977 till:31/12/1979
bar:Glen from:07/01/2010 till:07/01/2010
bar:Glen from:03/02/2016 till:23/06/2016
bar:Glen from:27/03/2019 till:end
color:drums
bar:Rusty from:01/01/1977 till:31/12/1979
bar:Rusty from:07/01/2010 till:07/01/2010
bar:Rusty from:03/02/2016 till:23/06/2016
bar:Rusty from:27/03/2019 till:end
LineData =
color:studio layer:back
at:01/08/1978
color:other
at:01/09/1998
at:01/07/2003}}
==Discography==
;Studio albums:
*1978 – ''[Ghosts of Princes in Towers](/source/Ghosts_of_Princes_in_Towers)'' ([EMI](/source/EMI), August 1978) No. 51