Legendary Australian rock star Chris Turner, who played with band Rose Tattoo has died following a long health battle as his death was confirmed by a close friend a popular blues singer Cletis Carr
A legendary rock musician, who performed with Rose Tattoo, Angry Anderson and Billy Thorpe, has died.
Chris Turner’s death was announced by his blue singer friend Cletis Carr as he paid a heartbreaking tribute. Chris died following a long battle with ill health. The star died on Wednesday October 22 – he was in his late 60s.
Cletis wrote: “Still processing the loss of my long-time friend, bandmate, and surrogate “big brother” Chris Turner.”
He added: “We lost Chris just a few hours ago, he’d been battling multiple health issues for many year.”
Cletis also explained how he had contacted Chris just last week, who shared his frustration over being in a wheelchair “but was upbeat and optimistic about being back in the studio, mixing tracks for a new release”. He added: “My sympathies and love go out to family.”
Tributes to Chris have poured in on social media as one wrote: “Rest in peace Chris, from rose tattoo your music will live on”.
Another added: “My sympathy and sincerest condolences too family’s and freinds.” [sic] A third added: “Saw Chris many times with his bandmates at the Monday music trivia at Miss Celie’s in Ashfield, Sydney. Condolences to family and friends.”
Chris was born in London and started playing guitar in 1961. His first band appeared on the same bill as David Bowie, Peter Frampton and The Small Faces with Steve Marriot. He started off playing the Mecca Ballroom Circuit with his band until 1965 before The Chris Turner Group and The Wranglers move to Auckland, New Zealand.
Chris then moved to Sydney, Australia in the 1970s before touring New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland across 18 months.
In 1973 Chris formed the band Drain!, which performed around the hard rock clubs in Sydney. Chris was then asked to join heavy rock band Buffalo in 1975 and he recorded and wrote the title track for their album Average Rock n’ Roller.
He also performed with Pete Wells and Digger Royal of Rose Tattoo in his band The Chris Turner Band, which had a regular slot performing at the popular Chequers nightclub. Chris also toured with Rose Tattoo from the late ’70s to early ’80s.
His music career with The Chris Turner band continued through the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and ’10s. He continued his music career throughout recent years also, recording and producing music.
His later ventures included The Blues Pirates, The Cave Men, Turner & Simmons, and collaborations with Alex Smith from Moving Pictures.
His song Way Down n’ Blues, which was released in October 2021, reached number two in The Australian Blues & Roots Charts.
Chris’ health started to face difficulties in the 1990s as he had minor hand surgeries, but he remained determined to continue performing.
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