Sad News on waking up this morning,
legendry Aussie Rocker Billy Thorpe passed away in the early hours of this morning from a massive heart attack. Only 60 years of age.
Grew up through the 60's / 70's listening to his music. His rendition of " Somewhere Over the Rainbow' was my favourite.
http://www.bigpond.com/news/topstories/content/20070228/1858831.asp

best wishes
rikki

did he do the song "children of the sun" ?

Hi Dan01,
that's him http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,501651,00.html#bio

best wishes
rikki

I remember when that song hit the radio.. 1979ish ... It was like the coolest song ever !

Billy was the greatest. I grew up in Melbourne Australia and saw Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs play live on a number of occasions. LOUD, RAW blues/rock with Billy singing in full voice and playing in yer face lead guitar with his Gibson Les Paul and Marshall stack. His keyboard player was Warren "The Pig" Morgan pounding a Hohner electric piano. It was a truly wonderful era in the late 60s & 70s and Thorpie was a big part of it. He defined Aussie pub rock. It opened the way for pub rock bands like AC/DC.

See http://www.thorpie.com for Billy's website.

Here is Billy singing at the Sunbury music festival in 1971 "Most People I Know" http://youtube.com/watch?v=etrj_rlIlOk&mode=related&search=

And here is Billy singing and playing a very raw and ballsy version of Heartbreak Hotel http://youtube.com/watch?v=76FVtFRptCE&mode=related&search=


I'll never forget you Thorpie.


[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 02-28-2007).]

Hi Nigel,
couldn't beleive what I was hearing. He looked so fit & healthy & had still been touring. He just finished an album due for release later this year.

So very very sad.

best wishes
Rikki

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Nigel:
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