Rich Kids

Rich Kids were a short-lived new wave band from London, founded in 1977 by Glen Matlock following his departure from the Sex Pistols.^[1][2][3] The band also included 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

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.^[8] Following on 13 January 1978,^[9] they were ranked at #24 on 4 February UK Charts with their first self-titled single "Rich Kids".^[10][11] 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.^{[12][13][14][15]}

On 22 March, they recorded a further session for John Peel's 3 April broadcast.

Matlock and New later played with Sid Vicious in the band Vicious White Kids, which only played one concert.^[21]

The Rich Kids released the album ^[22] Ghosts of Princes in Towers, and the single of the same name, in August, with the latter ranking only at #51.^[23][24][25] Their last TV appearance was at the University of Reading where they taped a live show for Rock Goes to College on 27 October.^[20][26][27] 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.^[6]

Matlock and New went on to tour with

• lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
  (1977–1979, 2010, 2016, 2019)
• backing vocals
  (1977–1979, 2010, 2016, 2019)
• 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 (2016)
• James Hallawell – keyboards (2016)
• Neal X – lead guitar (2019)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

• 1978 – Ghosts of Princes in Towers (EMI, August 1978) No. 51^[5]

Singles

• 1978 – "Rich Kids" b/w "Empty Words" (EMI, January 1978) No. 24^[5] (also released on red vinyl.)
• 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 –
  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