Angry Anderson, Iconic Australian Rocker, Dies at 79

Gary Stephen "Angry" Anderson, the charismatic frontman of the Australian rock band Rose Tattoo, has died at the age of 79. His family and bandmates confirmed his passing in a social media post on Wednesday, citing a recent health battle.

"Angry was a devoted father, and much-loved member of his friends, bandmates and the wider music and entertainment community," the Instagram post read. "His loss will be deeply felt by all those who knew and loved him both here in Australia and overseas."

The singer, known for his raw energy and powerful stage presence, had been hospitalized in August after suffering a cardiac arrest. This health crisis led to the cancellation of several dates on Rose Tattoo's "One Last Ride" European tour. Despite the setback, his family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support he received.

Born in Melbourne in 1947, Anderson rose to prominence in Australia's pub-rock scene with Rose Tattoo, whose debut album in 1978 featured hits like "Bad Boy for Love" and "Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw." The band reunited in 1993 and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006. Anderson also pursued a solo career, achieving success with his 1987 single "Suddenly," which gained further recognition when it featured in the 1985 wedding scene of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan's characters on the television show Neighbours.

Beyond music, Anderson was known for his work as a youth advocate and his openness about his own struggles, including childhood abuse. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993 for his community service. Anderson also ventured into acting, appearing in films such as Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and the comedy series Housos.

His life was marked by personal tragedy, including the death of his youngest son, Liam, in 2018. Anderson had been working on a memoir in the months leading up to his death.

Anderson is survived by his children Roxanne, Galen, and Blaine. His son Liam died in 2018 at the age of 26.