Eddie & The Hot Rods have issued a statement after the “sudden” death of frontman Barrie Masters. Tributes have since flooded in.

The pub rock legends took to Twitter to share the news and pay tribute to their “legendary” singer.

“It is with extreme sadness we announce the passing of the legendary Barrie Masters,” said the band. “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.”


Masters’ cause of death has not yet been revealed. He was 63-years-old.

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. pic.twitter.com/XmRsuaSESG — Eddie & The Hot Rods (@EddieHotRods) October 2, 2019

A number of fans, friends and fellow musicians have since taken to social media to pay tribute. Writer Jon Savage hailed his work as “a blast of primal energy”.

Barrie Masters RIP – the first four Hot Rods singles were a blast of primal energy in 1976: this, their first, was the best (with Lee Lewis on harmonica). The Writing on the Wall https://t.co/iLzu70qnaK — Jon Savage (@JonSavage1966) October 2, 2019

Damn. RIP Barrie Masters, frontman for @EddieHotRods . This is one of the grestest records ever. Utterly perfect. Such a sad day. https://t.co/RRLQHJcTrc — Jesus Jones (@jesusjonesband) October 2, 2019

We're sad to hear of the passing of Eddie +theHotrods front man Barrie Masters this morning.

We shared a stage with Barrie + his band a little while back when we opened for Stiff Little Fingers in London.

A true rocker.

You'll be sadly missed mate.

Sleep tight.

Love The Vapors — The Vapors Official (@vaporsofficial) October 2, 2019

Just heard the awful news that Eddie and the Hot Rods vocalist Barrie Masters has passed away. Rest in peace Brother… ??✌️ pic.twitter.com/m4TipwzNNh — Purple Beacon (@BeaconPurple) October 2, 2019


RIP, Barrie Masters. I can't over-emphasise how incredible this record sounded at the end of the sweltering summer of '76, arriving at a point when music seemed to be sinking into a sludge of self-indulgence. It felt like a fucking grenade had gone off. https://t.co/cA4EfG7D1M — Paul McGee (@Paul_McGee) October 2, 2019

RIP Barrie Masters of the Hot Rods. This was one of THE 4 or 5 life changing Top pf the Pops moments for me. https://t.co/pEQKzWlTMe — Ian Clarke (@Cheesewright3) October 2, 2019

Gutted to hear that Barrie Masters has passed. Lucky enough to see Eddie and the Hot Rods final Manchester gig earlier this year.

One of the reasons I fell in love with music. https://t.co/JKXoxpFFk3 via @YouTube — Steve Lillis (@stevelillis) October 2, 2019

I feel real pain. Someway a part of my life since 1977. Only much more recently we had the great pleasure of meeting him in person, a beer and a long chat backstage after a gig. I'm speechless for the tragic news. My heartfelt condolences to family and friends.

RiP Barrie Masters pic.twitter.com/uuGNmU4Mwk — Cpt.Stax™ (@cptstax) October 2, 2019

Eddie And The Hotrods are part of one of my favourite faux pas from a record label with their picture being printed on The Damned's debut album instead of The Damned.

Paul Gray (pictured right) later joined The Damned.

Prophetic! RIP Barrie Masters.

Do Anything You Wanna Do. pic.twitter.com/YesphKVyeF — Dennis Tueart's Overhead Kick (@_Togger) October 2, 2019

Formed in Essex in 1975, the pub rock veterans released nine albums together and were best known for their 1977 top 10 hit ‘Do Anything You Wanna Do’. Masters was the only constant member of the band’s various line-ups following their split and reformation in 1981.

Their last album was ’35 Years Of Teenage Depression’, marking the anniversary of their classic debut by re-recording the tracks with the current line-up.

The band were renowned for their raucous live shows, and even helped break the Sex Pistols after the punk legends supported them for their first ever gig.