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RIP BILLY THORPE *** updated *** |
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Wednesday, 28 February 2007 |
Sydney, Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - Australia is mourning the loss of a revered musical hero - Billy Thorpe.
Just shy of his 61st birthday, Billy succumbed to a massive heart attack at 2.30am EST today in Sydney, Australia. A fit and energetic musician, who was still performing as recently as last Sunday night when he did a solo acoustic show at Westenport Hotel on Phillip Island in Victoria, Billy was involved in many new projects.
His last recorded project is a semi-acoustic work of both old and new classic Thorpe compositions, recorded at The Basement in Sydney in December. He had also been working on a ground-breaking multimedia project titled 'Tangier' which is in the final stages of mixing. A decision about its release will be forthcoming.
Most importantly, Billy had been working tirelessly in his new position on the board of Support Act Limited - a charity that assists musicians and their families with financial support in time of need. Support Act Limited is incorporated in both New South Wales and Victoria. Last year’s tribute concert to Lobby Loyde, Billy's old Aztec guitarist mate, was a cornerstone in marking the level of support within the music industry fraternity. Today many members of that family have joined in an outpouring of love and support to Billy's wife Lynne and daughters Lauren and Rusty.
Billy's long time friend and manager, Michael Chugg, said “His reputation always preceded him as loudly as his amps turned up to 11. He gave 110% in everything he did. His performance, his love of his family, his support of his fellow musicians was both passionate and selfless - he was the first one to put up his hand when anybody else was in trouble. It was the initiatives he took as a young musician, moving forward with his career, that laid the pathway for Australian rock acts such as Cold Chisel, AC/DC and The Oils. A great Australian has passed away today and no-one will ever stand up again like my good friend, Billy Thorpe”.
Fellow musician and Support Act Limited Board member, Brian Cadd, commented, “Billy was always the most positive, most definitely, loudest and greatest vibe in any room he was in! Whenever I spent time with him, I would go away much more determined to write, record or perform better. Billy was an inspiration to us all”.
Molly Meldrum remembers Billy Thorpe as the first Australian independent artist he saw live at Surf City in Sydney: "It was around 1965 and a bunch of us had come up to the ‘big smoke’ from Melbourne. Seeing Billy perform live that night, long before I was working in the industry, was a life altering experience and one I’ve never forgotten. If Johnny O’Keefe was the Godfather of Australian rock then Billy Thorpe was surely its chairman of the board.”
A public service will be held on Sunday afternoon (March 4, 2007) in Sydney. Further details will be announced tomorrow.
The family asks for their privacy to be respected at this time.
www.thorpie.com
www.chuggentertainment.com
www.supportact.com.au
1. Written by cry!, on 28-02-2007 13:09
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 28 February 2007 )
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