Rich Kids

{{Short description|English new wave band}} {{Other uses}} {{Use British English|date=July 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> | 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, England | instrument = | genre = Punk rock, power pop, new wave | occupation = | years_active = 1977–1979 {{small|(reunions 2010, 2016 and 2019)}} | label = EMI | website = | past_members = Glen Matlock<br/>Steve New<br/>Rusty Egan<br/>Midge Ure<br/>Mick Jones<br/>Bill Smyth }}

'''Rich Kids''' were a short-lived new wave band from London, founded in 1977 by Glen Matlock following his departure from the Sex Pistols.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://punkygibbon.co.uk/bands/r/richkids.html |title=Rich Kids |publisher=Punky Gibbon |access-date=2015-07-08}}</ref> The band also included teenage guitarist Steve New, former Slik and future Ultravox member Midge Ure and Rusty Egan, who both later founded Visage together. They released one album and three singles 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 style, blending influences from 1960s acts such as Small Faces and The Who with more recent punk rock sounds. Only the first of their three singles entered the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{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}}</ref>

==Career== Rich Kids were formed in 1977 by bass player Glen Matlock after he left the Sex Pistols. An early line-up consisted of keyboardist Bill Smyth, Rusty Egan on drums, Steve New on lead guitar, and The Clash's Mick Jones.<ref name="Strong">Strong, Martin C.: "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", 1999, Canongate, {{ISBN|0-86241-913-1}}</ref> Midge Ure, whose band Slik had split up and reformed as the punk sounding PVC2, moved to London and joined Rich Kids.<ref name="google1">{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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, hosted by DJ John Peel.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Following on 13 January 1978,<ref>{{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}}</ref> they were ranked at #24 on 4 February UK Charts with their first self-titled single "Rich Kids".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19780129/7501/ |title=Official Singles Chart Top 50 &#124; Official Charts Company |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=2015-07-08}}</ref> This caught more attention from the BBC, who invited them to perform on ''Top of the Pops'' and several more sets for the short-lived live music TV series ''Revolver'' hosted by Peter Cook.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>

On 22 March, they recorded a further session for John Peel's 3 April broadcast.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Another single, "Marching Men"<ref>{{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}}</ref> was released on 19 May as means to promote the release of their album produced by Mick Ronson. Despite taping a video promo for Donnie Sutherland and ''After Dark'', the song did not chart. At their Lyceum show in spring 1978, Ronson played guitar and Ian McLagan (ex-Faces) played keyboards. Several of the band's performances were featured in the 1980 film ''D.O.A.''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082226/|title=D.O.A. (1980)|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=July 8, 2015}}</ref><ref name="midgeure.co.uk">{{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}}</ref>

Matlock and New later played with Sid Vicious in the band Vicious White Kids, which only played one concert.<ref>{{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|publisher=Block Communications|location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|date=March 24, 2014|access-date=December 2, 2018|page=G1}}</ref>

The Rich Kids released the album ''Ghosts of Princes in Towers'', and the single of the same name, in August, with the latter ranking only at No. 51.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 |location=Milwaukee, Wisconsin|date=2005 |access-date=July 8, 2015|isbn=978-0879308483}}</ref> Their last TV appearance was at the University of Reading where they taped a live show for ''Rock Goes to College'' on 27 October.<ref name="midgeure.co.uk"/><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="independent.co.uk">{{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 |publisher=Independent Print Ltd.|location=London, England|date=15 June 2010 |access-date=8 July 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref name="google1"/>

Matlock and New went on to tour with Iggy Pop, while Egan and Ure formed a band called The Misfits (not the American horror punk band Misfits) and, after short spells with Skids and Thin Lizzy, respectively, reunited in Visage.<ref name="Strong" /> In April 1979, Ure joined Ultravox.<ref name="Strong" />

On 7 January 2010, the band played a one-off reunion concert at The O2 Academy Islington, London in aid of Steve New.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/news/rich-kids-reform |title=Rich Kids Reform &#124; News &#124; Clash Magazine |date=27 November 2009 |publisher=Clashmusic.com |access-date=2015-07-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clashmusic.com/news/rich-kids-reformation-details |title=Rich Kids Reformation Details &#124; News &#124; Clash Magazine |date=3 December 2009 |publisher=Clashmusic.com |access-date=2015-07-08}}</ref> New died from cancer on 24 May 2010.<ref name="independent.co.uk"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> [[File:RICH_KIDS_-_LIVE_IN_LONDON_27.03.2019.png|thumb|Rich Kids with Neal X on guitar in 2019.]] In February 2016, it was announced that Rich Kids, with Gary Kemp on lead guitar and James Hallawell (Waterboys) on keyboard, would reform for a joint headline show with The Professionals at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire for 16 May.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 awards at The O2 Academy Islington, London on 27 March 2019, with Neal X of Sigue Sigue Sputnik standing in on lead guitar.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Personnel== *Midge Ure − lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards (1977–1979, 2010, 2016, 2019) *Glen Matlock − bass, lead and backing vocals (1977–1979, 2010, 2016, 2019) *Rusty Egan − drums (1977–1979, 2010, 2016, 2019) *Steve New − lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1977–1979, 2010; their death) *Mick Jones − guitar, backing vocals (1977) *Bill Smyth − keyboards (1977)

=== Guest musicians === *Gary Kemp – lead guitar, backing vocals (2016) *James Hallawell – keyboards (2016) *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

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==Discography== ;Studio albums: *1978 – ''Ghosts of Princes in Towers'' (EMI, August 1978) No.&nbsp;51<ref name="Strong" /> ;Singles: *1978 – "Rich Kids" b/w "Empty Words" (EMI, January 1978) No.&nbsp;24<ref name="Strong"/> <small> (also released on red vinyl.)</small> *1978 – "Marching Men" b/w "Here Comes the Nice (live)" (EMI, March 1978) *1978 – "Ghosts of Princes in Towers" b/w "Only Arsenic" (EMI, August 1978) ;Compilations: *1998 – ''Burning Sounds'' compilation. (Rev-Ola, September 1998) *2003 – ''Best of The Rich Kids'' compilation. (EMI, July 2003)

==See also== *D.O.A. (1980 film) *List of Peel sessions *List of British punk bands *List of performers on Top of the Pops *Timeline of punk rock

==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links == * [https://myspace.com/setitoffnicca/music/albums Rich Kids] on Myspace * [https://myspace.com/the.rich.kids/music/albums The Rich Kids] on Myspace *[http://hipandfunky.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/rich-kids-islington-academy-jan-2010/ Final Rich Kids concert, and photos]

{{Sex Pistols}} {{Midge Ure}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rich Kids, The}} Category:English new wave musical groups Category:English punk rock groups Category:English power pop groups Category:Rock music groups from London Category:Sex Pistols Category:EMI Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 1977 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1979