Australian rock legend Chrissy Amphlett has passed away at age 53 after a long battle with cancer.
The former Divinyls front woman died surrounded by family at her New York home which she shared with husband and former band mate Charley Drayton.
The singer was regarded as the ultimate rock chick, breaking through Australia’s music scene with tracks like “Boys In Town” and topping the Australian charts and gaining international success with “I Touch Myself” in 1991.
Along with her band mates, Amphlett was inducted into the ARIA hall of fame in 2007.
Chrissy Amphlett
In 2010 she revealed she had breast cancer, describing diagnosis to The Age as “shit and unfair”.
She had also been living with multiple sclerosis for ten years.
In a post on her Facebook page in March last year, Chrissy described her last 18 months as “a real challenge”, but she continued performing for her dedicated fans until it became too much for the suffering star.
“I have not stopped singing throughout all this in my dreams and to be once again performing and doing what I love to do,” she wrote.
Amphlett’s cousin, 1960s pop icon “Little Pattie” Thompson, released a statement on behalf of the family.
“Our beloved Chrissy peacefully made her transition this morning.
“Christine Joy Amphlett succumbed to the effects of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, diseases she vigorously fought with exceptional bravery and dignity.
“Her life was a passion and creatisity; she always lived it to the fullest.
“With her force of character and vocal strength she paved the way for strong, sexy, outspoken women.”
Our thoughts are with the family of this remarkable Australian woman.
