Rock singer Angry Anderson dies in Australia — ABC News Australia
Australian rock singer, actor and youth advocate Gary “Angry” Anderson, the frontman of Rose Tattoo, has died at the age of 79. The musician’s family and his bandmates said he died on Monday surrounded by loved ones.
“Angry was a devoted father, beloved band member, friend and member of the wider music and entertainment community,” the statement said. As ABC News Australia reports, Anderson suffered cardiac arrest in August while touring with the band. He was hospitalized in Germany during the European leg of Rose Tattoo’s 50th anniversary tour, after which the group cancelled its remaining European performances.
Career with Rose Tattoo
Anderson performed with Rose Tattoo from the band’s founding in 1976. The group gained international recognition for its heavy sound featuring prominent slide guitar and became one of the symbols of Australia’s pub rock scene. The band’s well-known songs include Bad Boy for Love, Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw, Nice Boys and We Can't Be Beaten.
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Over the decades, Rose Tattoo released eight albums, and in 2006 the band was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association ARIA Hall of Fame. Early in its career, Rose Tattoo was banned for life from ABC’s Countdown program after a performance during which Anderson and guitarist Mick Cocks passed chewing gum to each other without using their hands. An ABC executive decided that the musicians had kissed.
Solo work and television
Anderson also had a successful solo career. His song Suddenly entered the charts in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands. The song was featured in a 1987 episode of the series Neighbours during the wedding of characters Scott and Charlene, played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue. Another of his solo songs was Bound for Glory, which he performed before the 1991 Australian Football League Grand Final.
The musician appeared in Australian television comedies and the film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. On television, he presented segments on youth issues and took part in charitable projects, including those related to supporting people living with HIV/AIDS, children with disabilities and farmers affected by drought. In 1993, Anderson was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his youth advocacy work.
