Mental As Anything frontman Greedy Smith dead at 63

One of the most loveable and gregarious frontmen in Australian music – Greedy Smith of Mental As Anything – has died suddenly of a heart attack.

Mental As Anything frontman Andrew “Greedy” Smith has died at 63 of a heart attack.

The beloved entertainer was moving into a new home with his fiance Fiona Docker on Monday evening when he fell ill.

The singer, songwriter and keyboardist was currently on a tour with the Mentals and was the last original member of the live outfit.

Mental As Anything's Greedy Smith loved performing live. Picture: Cam Ward

The funny, charismatic musician who loved playing harmonica was urged by Sydney art school students Martin Murphy, Chris O’Doherty, David Twohill and Steve Coburn to quit his band and join their outfit in 1976.

The Mentals, as they are affectionately known, became one of the most popular bands in the Countdown era and enjoyed a string of hits through the 1980s.

Songs including The Nips Are Getting Bigger, If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too? and Berserk Warriors were favourites among pop fans and inner-city lovers of the alternative New Wave music emerging from Sydney’s pub circuit.

Martin Plaza with Greedy Smith and Peter O'Doherty. Picture: News Corp Australia

Greedy was described as the “loveliest, nicest man” by former bandmate Pete O’Doherty. Picture: News Corp Australia

One of their biggest hits Live It Up, reached No. 2 on the Australian charts and enjoyed some success overseas, peaking at No. 3 in the UK, when it featured on the soundtrack of the Crocodile Dundee film in 1986.

Mental As Anything members' Wayne Delisle, Peter O'Doherty, Martin Plaza, Greedy Smith and Reg Mombassa in the band’s 1980s heyday.

Mental As Anything was inducted to the ARIA Hall of Fame alongside Little Pattie and Broderick Smith (The Dingoes) in 2009. Picture: News Corp Australia.

The gregarious singer also proved hugely popular as a television personality and was regularly a judge on the Hey Hey It’s Saturday talent guest segment Red Faces and a panellist on Spicks and Specks as well as filling in for Steve Vizard as host of the variety show Tonight Live.

Pete O’Doherty, who with brother Reg Mombassa, was a member of the most popular line-up of the Mentals was “devastated” by the news of Smith’s sudden death.

“It’s really hard to comprehend,” he said.

“He was the loveliest, nicest man we knew and it’s just unbelievable.”

Legendary performer Ross Wilson of Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock was among the Australian musicians who paid tribute to Smith on Tuesday.

So sorry to learn of Greedy’s death today. Played a great fest w/ him just last Sat, was in fine form. Condolences to family & MAS. “Mental As Anything’s ‘Greedy’ Smith dies”| The New Daily https://t.co/NXZCx777Wg

— Ross Wilson (@rosswilsonmusic) December 3, 2019

Mental As Anything at Bondi Iceburgs club. Get Wet. LP launch for Wonder World and Regular Records and Rolling Stone etc. RIP. Greedy. xxxx. Jono and Dano and all the aust and UK music fans around the world.… https://t.co/p6XOa1cu5F

— Jonathan Coleman (@jonocoleman) December 3, 2019

Can’t believe we have lost Greedy Smith from Mental as Anything. Another Aussie musics icon. Terrific bloke with so much energy. Gone way too soon. Much love to his family and the band

— David Campbell (@DavidCampbell73) December 2, 2019

We are shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden and unexpected passing of Andrew (Greedy) Smith

— Reg Mombassa (@regmombassa) December 3, 2019

His close friend, entertainment publicist Dianna O’Neill said “our grief and confusion at this time are little compared to what Andrew’s family will be feeling – our hearts and prayers go out to them.”

Smith is survived by his son Harvey, fiancée Fiona Docker and brother Stuart.

Originally published as Mental As Anything frontman Greedy Smith dead at 63