Red Symons pays tribute to founding Skyhooks member Peter Starkie
Red Symons pays tribute to mentor and founding guitarist of iconic Australian rock band Skyhooks, Peter Starkie, who died after a “stupid ladder accident”, aged 72.
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Red Symons has paid tribute to Skyhooks’ founding guitarist Peter Starkie.
The musician passed away on the weekend after a “stupid ladder accent” aged 72.
His younger brother Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie, who replaced him in the band in 1973, said he had “plenty of life left in him” before the accident.
He leaves behind three daughters and long-term partner Dianna.
“When (songwriter) Greg Macainsh was formulating his i dea for Skyhooks, it was Dave Flett who recommended Peter as guitarist,” Bongo Starkie said. “So along with Peter Inglis, Steve Hill, Freddie Strauks and Greg thus was born the Skyhooks’ first line-up.”
Peter Starkie was also a member of Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons and Lip Arthur and the Double Decker Bros.
Red Symons replaced Peter Inglis in Skyhooks in 1973, cementing the iconic line-up – with singer Shirley Strachan – who would dominate with their debut Living in the 70s.
Symons shared a house in Carlton with Peter Starkie and went to University together.
“We did pure mathematics and other subjects together,” Symons said.
“I knew him before I had any interest in that band (Skyhooks) or before that band existed. The first two (Skyhooks) albums were material that Peter Starkie and Peter Inglis had played. I inherited Peter’s musical ideas, not just in the context of the band but as a kind of mentor before that.”
Peter Starkie continued to perform between Melbourne and Sydney, and had played Skyhooks songs with Bongo as The Starkie Brothers.
“Apart from being a fabulous guitarist he was a brother who I looked up to,” Bongo said.
“He went on to father three wonderful daughters. For the last twenty odd years he has lived happily inseparable with partner Dianna. Quite honestly this is just a f---ing tragedy especially for Dianna and the girls. (And in lockdown!) So one and all, as my mother would say “count your blessings”
Skyhooks biographer Jeff Jenkins remembered Peter Starkie as a great guitartist who was pivotal to the early incarnation of the band.
“I remember Red Symons telling me, ‘He was the guitarist we all wanted to be.’,” Jenkins said.
“Peter didn’t particularly dig the flamboyant and theatrical side of Skyhooks - his idea of dressing up was putting on an Hawaiian shirt - but he helped to shape the band’s sound.
He will always be a part of Australian music history as an original Skyhook.”
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