Billy Thorpe
(March 29th 1946 - Februry 28th 2007)
February 28th 2007
AUSTRALIAN rock legend Billy Thorpe has died this morning after suffering a major heart attack overnight. Thorpe, 60, died in the early hours of the morning after he was rushed to Sydney's St Vincent's Public Hospital at 2am (AEDT), a spokesman has said.
He is survived by his wife Lynne, and daughters Rusty and Lauren. "His family were with him when he passed away," the spokesman has said on Channel 9. Thorpe's manager Michael Chugg has said the death is a "terrible tragedy", as Thorpe had just finished recording a new album and was very happy after a recent acoustic tour.
Ambulance crews were called to Thorpe's Sydney home shortly after midnight after the star began suffering chest pains. He was taken to hospital in a serious condition but then went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived. "He woke at 1am feeling terrible. Shortly after that he had a massive heart attack, the paramedics were called to the house, they worked very hard in hospital," Mr Chugg said on Channel Nine. Thorpe's former manager Michael Browning, who also handled AC/DC, has said Thorpe was a "genius". "I don't think there has ever been anyone in Australia that has been able to work the crowd like Billy Thorpe. He was just amazing, an actual genius as a showman."
QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali has issued the following:
"Sad News: Singer/Guitarist Billy Thorpe passed away in his homeland of Australia on February 28. Billy was a great person, very talented and I was fortunate enough to have recorded with him in 1982 for his 'East Of Eden's Gate' record as well as having participated for a short while on part of his tour for that release. God bless you, Billy, and may you rest in peace." |
