Re Styles, who was a visual and aural element to The Tubes’ 1970s entry to an unprepared music industry, but left before the group reached its commercial success, passed away on April 17th. Styles was 72.
Styles, who was born Shirley Macleod in the Netherlands, immigrated to the United States. Styles had a few roles in underground films, as well as similar skin magazine layouts. Styles first met Prairie Prince at an art show in San Francisco. She was a student at the San Francisco Art Institute and became a costume designer. She eventually joined the band on stage as a background vocalist, working her way up to co-lead singer on songs such as “Don’t Touch Me There” and 1979’s “Prime Time.” That same year Styles married Prince, with the marriage ending some years later.
A 2019 interview with Fee Waybill the Tubes’ lead singer, Styles said Styles quit to cope with 1970s-style rock excesses.
Re’s last tour was 1979. At that time, Re was not in good health. She was drinking too much and she didn’t really want to tour anymore. She left the band when she saw Capitol. We had two or three girl dancers but they weren’t really featured vocalists and it was more of a theatrical addition to the band than a musical addition. Re was a designer. She used to design windows for like Macy’s and big department stores. Display windows were her specialty. She was truly a gifted girl. She was really talented. She is still in touch with us.
The Grateful Death was San Francisco during the 1960s. The Tubes was San Francisco in 1973. They were a braggart, cady and carnal group that survived. In the mid 1960s, the band formed in Phoenix. Two local bands found each other and they moved to San Francisco early in 1970. The Tubes brought theatrics and more than a bit of skin to their stage presentation, backed by the band’s tight, multi-flavored beefy art-rock. Characteristic of the band’s offbeat output was the underground anthem “White Punks on Dope.”
Never fitting in, although loved in their adopted home and clumps of fervent followers across the globe, the band didn’t break through commercially until the early 1980s, when it streamlined its show and, to a degree, mainstreamed its music. The results were hits such as “Talk To Ya Later,” “Don’t Want to Wait Anymore,” and “She’s a Beauty.” The band fell apart in the mid-1980s, although it still tours with several original members, including Waybill.
The Tubes were a part of San Francisco’s music scene in their prime. Although they were not in the public eye for long, The Tubes created an impressive body of work that is worth exploring because of its musicality and creative flair. Styles added much to this, and she was an essential part of the band’s foundation.
Godspeed, Ms. Styles.
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