The Rich Kids

Rich Kids
L-R; Steve New, Midge Ure, Rusty Egan, Glen Matlock
Background information
Origin	London, England
Genres	Punk rock, power pop, new wave
Years active	1977–1979, 2010, 2016
Labels	EMI
Associated acts	Glen Matlock, Sex Pistols, The Clash, Midge Ure, Slik, PVC2, Thin Lizzy, Skids, Visage, Ultravox, Jimmy Norton's Explosion, The Spectres, General Public, Big Audio Dynamite, Carbon/Silicon, Beastellabeast
Past members	Glen Matlock Steve New Rusty Egan Midge Ure Mick Jones Bill Smyth

Rich Kids were a short-lived new wave band from London, founded in 1977 by Glen Matlock following his departure from Sex Pistols. The band also included future Ultravox member Midge Ure and Rusty Egan, both who 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. With only one single making the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart, Rich Kids join the list of one-hit wonders; a list that includes other UK punk or new wave acts such as John Cooper Clarke, Jilted John, 999, the Radio Stars, and The Vibrators.

Rich Kids were formed in 1977 by bass player Glen Matlock after he left Sex Pistols. An early line-up consisted of keyboardist and guitar player Bill Smyth, Rusty Egan on drums, Steve New on lead guitar, and The Clash's Mick Jones, who acted as a session live player.Glaswegian Midge Ure, whose band Slik had split up and reformed as the punk sounding PVC2, moved to London and joined Rich Kids. Smyth left the group followed by Jones, who continued with The Clash.