Northern Irishman Steve Strange, founding partner of X-Ray Touring, has died at the age of 53.
A musician himself, Steve started as a drummer playing with several Irish bands and then transitioned to booking and management. As an agent, Steve Strange signed and developed some of the best artists across the globe during his career.
His X-Ray Touring company worked with acts of all sizes, from young talents to international superstars including Coldplay, Eminem and Queens of the Stone Age, Chance the Rapper, Snow Patrol, Jimmy Eat World, Kodaline, Bright Eyes and more.
Celebrity Access quotes the statement issued by X-Ray Touring:
“We have lost a legendary figure in our personal and professional lives that we will all deeply miss.
Steve was a unique individual within our industry, his overwhelming love of music lead to a 30 year plus career guiding the touring of an eclectic mix of artists from all genres of music that he adored.
A universally known, hugely respected and loved character – if you hadn’t already seen him at a gig or festival, you’d most certainly hear his infectious and infamous laugh.
Steve had the best ears in the agency business, signing and developing the careers of countless world class Artists from small club venues to vast international multi-stadium tours.
He will always be remembered with love by his friends & colleagues at X-ray and the world over.”
In his interview in 2019, Steve said that representing Smash Mouth for Interscope led him to work with Eminem:
It was through working with Smash Mouth that I ended up hearing Eminem. Absolutely. Having gone in to meet Martin Kierzenbaum (then Sr. VP of International at Interscope Geffen A&M), and Don Robinson (then International Product Manager) working with both Smash Mouth and Eminem at the time, was perfect timing. They showed me the video for “My Name Is” (from his major-label “The Slim Shady” LP (1999) which was just being released to MTV at the time. I loved it. It was brilliant.
