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Barrie Masters death: Eddie & the Hot Rods frontman dies aged 63

Singer was the only constant member of the group, who formed in the mid-Seventies and had a top 10 single with 'Do Anything You Wanna Do'

Roisin O'Connor
Music Correspondent
Wednesday 02 October 2019 06:39 EDT
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Barrie Masters performs with Eddie & The Hot Rods in 1977
Barrie Masters performs with Eddie & The Hot Rods in 1977 (Rex)

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Barrie Masters, singer of the garage rock band Eddie & The Hot Rods, has died suddenly aged 63.

A statement from the band's social media said: "It is with extreme sadness we announce the passing of the legendary Barrie Masters.

"As you can expect, this sudden news is a huge shock to the band and family. We welcome tributes posted to our Facebook and Twitter sites, which will be passed on to Barrie's family."

Eddie & The Hot Rods emerged out of London's pub rock scene in the mid-Seventies after forming in Canvey Island. They achieved a Top 10 hit with "Do Anything You Wanna Do" in 1977.

They grew a formidable reputation as a live band, but it was one of their support acts – The Sex Pistols who were playing their first-ever gig – that garnered considerable press coverage when they played the renowned Marquee Club in London in February 1976. The show reportedly descended into chaos soon after the Pistols appeared on stage, and ended with the Pistols trashing the Hot Rod's gear.

The Hot Rods released nine albums between 1976 and 2011, including their top 40 album Life on the Line, which was released in 1977 via Island Records. Their latest album was 2011's 35 Years of Teenage Depression, released to commemorate the anniversary of their debut record.

Masters was the only constant member as the band split and reformed a number of times since 1981.

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