Bob “Bongo” Starkie, the guitarist for the Australian rock band Skyhooks, has died at age 73.
Skyhooks archivist Peter Green announced Bongo’s passing on the group’s Facebook page on Friday, Nov. 28, noting the rock legend lost his battle with cancer.
“It’s with sadness in our hearts that we have to send out this news that early this morning Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie has passed away,” began the post. “For the past year he has fought the brave fight against Leukemia hoping to get back on the road to perform more shows. Music was in his blood till the very end.”
Green shed light on how Bongo was the youngest member of the band and how he “embraced the theatrics from striking facial make up to unique stage costumes.”
He continued: “The music always came first and touring and playing onstage was his absolute joy.”
Bongo’s daughter, Indiana Starkie, also shared a statement regarding her father’s death. “Our Dearest Grand-Daddy-Bop has peacefully departed listening to Chuck Berry. Snuggling with his fur baby Bonnie, surrounded by friends and family,” she said, adding, “Thank you for all your support, he has felt the love till the very end”.
Bongo is survived by Indiana and his other daughter, Arabella, grandchildren Phoenix and Lucia, partner Chrissy, and son-in-laws Simon and Chris.
He was also the last surviving member of Skyhooks.
Formed in Melbourne in 1973 by Greg Macainsh and Imants Strauks, the Skyhooks originally included Bongo’s brother, Peter Starkie. However, shortly after its formation, Bongo took his brother’s spot as guitarist, and Red Symons joined on guitar and vocals. In 1974, Graeme “Shirley” Strachan also joined on vocals.
The band’s heyday was from 1974 to 1977, when they became one of Australia’s most successful bands of the era. Their debut album, “Living in the 70’s,” spent 16 weeks at No. 1 in 1975.
Additionally, their track “You Just Like Me ’Cos I’m Good in Bed” made history as the first song ever played on 2JJ, the original name for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) youth radio station, in January 1975. Other popular songs from the band include “Horror Movie” and “Jukebox in Siberia.”
Skyhooks were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 1992.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.syracuse.com ’
