Andrew ‘Greedy’ Smith dies: Mental as Anything’s Pete O’Doherty pays tribute
A devastated Mental as Anything bandmate of Andrew “Greedy” Smith has paid tribute to the charismatic frontman after his death as he recalls the day the star earned his famous nickname.
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Mental as Anything frontman Andrew Smith was christened “Greedy” by his bandmates after eating all of the fried chicken one afternoon.
He was the master of multi-tasking on stage, singing, playing harmonica or keyboards, joking with the audience all the while juggling three lit cigarettes, one in each hand and another in the ashtray perched on his instrument.
A rush of memories have flooded the hearts of his Mentals bandmates Pete O’Doherty and Reg Mombassa and thousands of fans as they remembered the beloved musician who died suddenly of a heart attack on Monday night.
The 63-year-old singer, songwriter, fierce harmonica player, keyboardist and artist was moving house with his fiance Fiona Docker when he stopped his car and complained of chest pains. He died later in the evening at hospital.
Smith, who was the only founding member of the band still touring and due to perform in Melbourne this week, has been hailed as one of the nicest men in Australian rock, a gregarious presence who continued to thrill fans with the Mentals’ raft of hits ingrained in the Australian songbook.
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.
“I first met Greedy when he was at the National Art School (East Sydney Tech in those days) along with a bunch of ratbags who would later become Mental as Anything,” O’Doherty said.
“It was pretty loose in those days and the band didn’t have a name for the first year or so. “Greedy made an impression with his cowboy shirts and harmonica belt and earned his name by eating too much fried chicken one afternoon.
“Eventually he matured and bought a Farfisa organ which can be heard on our first single Nips Are Getting Bigger.
“Greedy had indomitable energy and never had a bad word to say about anybody. I remember him many a time during gigs saying ridiculous things to the audience and then ripping into a song singing and playing his harmonica with a cigarette in each hand and another lit on the ashtray sitting on the keyboard.
“He brought a love for country and rockabilly to the eclectic sound of the Mentals. It’s such a shock to lose him too soon when he was still incredibly active and touring and releasing records.
“For 22 years Greedy, Martin, Reg, Bird and myself toured and made music together, a second family. He’ll be sadly missed.
“Our love and thoughts go out to his partner Fiona, son Harvey, brother Stuart, family and friends.”
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.
They became Countdown regulars generating pop hits including 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.
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.
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.
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 with him just last Sat, was in fine form. Condolences to family & MAS,” he posted online.
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 Andrew ‘Greedy’ Smith dies: Mental as Anything’s Pete O’Doherty pays tribute