The Easybeats frontman Stevie Wright dies aged 68
AUSSIE rock legend Stevie Wright has died in hospital after falling ill on Boxing Day.
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STEVIE Wright, who fronted the band The Easybeats in the 1960s and is widely regarded as Australia’s first international pop star, has died at the age of 68.
The Noise11 music website reported that the ARIA Hall of Famer became ill on Boxing Day and was taken to Moruya Hospital on the NSW south coast where he died on Sunday night.
Rock historian Glenn A Baker confirmed to radio station 6PR he had been informed of the rock legend’s death.
The migrant kid who became an iconic rock band’s frontman
Wright’s record label Alberts also confirmed his death in a public statement.
“It is with great sadness that we commemorate the passing of Stevie Wright,” the statement read.
“Stevie died peacefully with son Nick by his side, on 27 December 2015 aged 68. Born in 1947 in Leeds he came to Australia at the age of 9.
“The renowned singer- songwriter and Hall of Fame inductee was front man of the Easybeats between 1964 and 1969 before forging a solo career with hits including Evie (Parts 1,2 & 3), Black Eyed Bruiser and Hard Road.
Alberts CEO David Albert, who knew Wright for the past 15 years, said he will be sadly missed by all who knew him and the countless more who only knew his music.
“We have lost one of Australia’s greatest front men who has left an indelible mark on our musical landscape. He has always been a much loved part of the Alberts family,” he said.
A public service celebrating his life will be held with details to be released shortly.
Wright, who was also known as Little Stevie, was the lead singer of The Easybeats, regarded as the greatest Australian pop band of the 1960s.
Their song Friday On My Mind was a number-one hit in Australia, number six in Britain and made the top 20 in the US.
The song was later covered by David Bowie on his Pin-Ups album.
The Easybeats broke up in 1969 and Wright became a top solo artist with his epic song Evie. But he went on to battle drug and alcohol addiction for two decades.
In 2005 he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame for his success with The Easybeats.
He last performed at the Legends of Rock Festival at Byron Bay in 2009.
News of Wright’s death prompted tributes on social media from fans and his peers.
RIP Stevie Wright , he created musical magic that lives on
— neil mullane finn (@NeilFinn) December 27, 2015“Goodbye to a man who faced his demons and won,” tweeted one fan.
“Sorry indeed. So much the soundtrack of my youth and so influential on this country’s musical path. RIP Stevie,” another wrote.
Musician Donna G wrote: “Vale Stevie Wright, a true Australian Rock Icon. Man, we will never forget you. Thank you for everything! Rest in peace, legend.”
Stevie Wright, passed away at age, 68. Rock in Peace pic.twitter.com/lDGTYvTbcg
— Triple M Sydney (@TripleMSydney) December 27, 2015Australian music has lost a legend tonight. RIP Stevie Wright. #easybeats https://t.co/T5u9qz0cOH
— Jane Gazzo (@JaneGazzo) December 27, 2015RIP Easybeats singer Stevie Wright. We covered this song once, cool band https://t.co/7Yb6swXioT
— Kathy Valentine (@Kathy_Valentine) December 27, 2015Originally published as The Easybeats frontman Stevie Wright dies aged 68
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