Rocker behind Aussie anthem What About Me dies suddenly

Moving Pictures bassist Ian Lees, who played on the iconic hit What About Me, has died from a heart attack two months after his wife’s shock health diagnosis.

An Australian musician famous for one of our most popular anthems has died suddenly.

Legendary Moving Pictures musician Ian Lees, who was the bassist for the iconic band, tragically passed away on Sunday from a heart attack.

Lees, who was believed to be in his 60s, played on the band’s 1982 hit single What About Me, which was later made popular by Shannon Noll in 2004 when he appeared on Australian Idol.

Aussie musician Ian Lees has died suddenly from a heart attack. Picture: Facebook

The rocker’s death was sadly confirmed in a touching tribute on social media by Moving Pictures vocalist Alex Smith.

“Forever and ever my friend, and just quietly the world’s greatest bass player. I love you mate,” Smith wrote on Facebook.

Aussie country music star Melinda Schneider also shared her heartbreak over Lees’ passing, which came just two weeks before he was scheduled to go on tour with her.

The Aussie musician (right) was due to go on tour in two weeks. Picture: Facebook

“I am in absolute shock that we have lost one of the most beautiful humans on the planet,” she began in a lengthy Facebook tribute. “Ian Lees was in my band for over 20 years, he was the most gorgeous, funny, talented, empathetic, wise man.”

“We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve managed difficult situations together (and there are many challenging ones on the road) and he always carried himself with grace and the most disarming sense of humour, which always lightened the mood. Sooo many laughs, so many memories.”

Schneider added that she feels “completely devastated” for the loss, especially for Lees’ “beautiful girls, [wife] Meny, [daughters] Erin and Melody”.

“I can’t believe I will never again hear you say; ‘Mel, it’s what ya focus on!’ I will miss playing with you on stage, so much Ian … but we will meet again one day. RIP beautiful man.”

A GoFundMe page has since been set up by Schneider, in which she revealed Lees’ wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two months ago.

Lees wife was sadly diagnosed with ovarian cancer just two months ago. Picture: Facebook

“The Australian music world and his family and friends are mourning deeply today with the news of Ian’s unexpected passing yesterday, due to a major heart attack, which nobody saw coming,” Schneider wrote.

“On top of this momentous loss, Ian’s wife Meny was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer in September and is currently undergoing chemotherapy and is unable to work during the treatment, which will last for the next 12 months.

“I can’t even comprehend the devastation and stress that Meny and Erin are under right now, but I just know that some financial support will go a long way to alleviate some of the worries, so that Meny can put all of her focus on getting well and recovering.”

Shannon Noll covered Lees’ hit song What About Me on Australia Idol in 2004. Picture: Jonathan Wood/Getty Images

Lees was integral to the success of Moving Pictures during his two stints with the band from 1978 to 1987, and then again from 2011.

After the band’s 1981 debut album Days of Innocence reached number one in Australia, they cracked the US Billboard charts two years later with their single What About Me reaching number 29 in 1983.

Shannon Noll released a cover of the powerful ballad in 2004 as his debut single after placing runner-up on Australian Idol – and it reached number one in Australia.

Lees – who recorded three albums with Moving Pictures – also featured on the band’s hit Never, which appeared on the soundtrack of the popular 1984 US movie Footloose.

And Lees’ music was also featured in the 2007 US movie Hot Rod, starring Aussie actress Isla Fisher and Saturday Night Live comedian Andy Samberg.

Originally published as Rocker behind Aussie anthem What About Me dies suddenly