Australian music industry in mourning over Chisel, Sherbet deaths
MEGAN LEVY
17 Jan, 2011 12:20 PM
The Australian music industry is mourning the loss of two rock legends, with Cold Chisel drummer Steve Prestwich and Sherbet guitarist Harvey James both losing their battles with cancer at the weekend.
Prestwich, 56, died yesterday afternoon, less than two weeks after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
A hard man of Australian pub rock who could also pen a tender ballad, Prestwich, who also played with Little River Band, underwent surgery on Friday and did not regain consciousness,Cold Chisel announced on the band’s website today.
"Jimmy Barnes, Ian Moss, Phil Small and Don Walker are shattered by the loss," the website said.
"All our thoughts are with Steve’s loved ones at this difficult time."
His death came one day after that of 58-year-old James, who had been battling lung cancer for six months.
The Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame guitarist was diagnosed with lung cancer in July last year and died in Melbourne on Saturday night.
He was a member of several Australian bands, including Ariel and Mississippi, before joining Sherbet, and was part of the group when it recorded its biggest hit Howzat in 1976, which was an Australian number one and top five in Britain.
James’s daughter, Alexandra James, said on the 'Send Your Love To Harvey James’ Facebook page that her father had died on Saturday.
"Rest in peace my gorgeous, funny, amazing father. We will miss you everyday forever. Xxxxxx Harvey William James 20/09/1952- 15/01/2011."
Cold Chisel, which formed in Adelaide in 1973, boasted a legendary live show and brought out their breakthrough album, Breakfast At Sweethearts, in 1979.
Songs such as Khe Sanh, Bow River and Flame Trees became the anthems of a generation.
Born in Liverpool, England, Prestwich had his first gig playing drums at the age of 11.
He moved to Adelaide when his family migrated in 1971, and two years later was a founding member of the band Orange, featuring Barnes, Moss, Don Walker and Les Kaczmarek. The following year the group changed its name to Cold Chisel.
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