Vale Billy Thorpe

[lederhosen]

Billy Thorpe has died of a heart attack, aged 60. Not that I was a fan - the only thing I knew of his from radio was "Most People I Know", over and over and over - but we heard him live as the support act for Alice Cooper and he gave a good performance. Fun, loud but mellow, and some amusing anecdotes in between the songs - although he was well-known for having found religion, which is what "Most People I Know" is about, he was apparently quite happy to entertain us with tales from a disreputable youth.

Comments

[hacked2death.livejournal.com]

Did Billy & The Aztecs have something to do with the Sunbury music festival? I saw a documentary on it when I first moved to Mildura.
Yeah, "Most People I Know" is the only song I know too.

[lederhosen.livejournal.com]

Yes, they had a very successful performance at Sunbury back in 1972; I think it's what made them big, although it was before my time.

[hacked2death.livejournal.com]

Heh. I'm not saying it is your era! ;) I just have as little idea as you.. :P

How long do you give the music labels before all the greatest hits and tribute albums start pouring out??

[frou-frou.livejournal.com]

I used to know his daughter Vanessa....her mother was one of the 17 year olds Billy shagged on tour way back when. She looked just like him, but he always refused to acknowledge her or even meet her. He seemed to think that it was just one of those crazy rockstar things and he didn't need to accept any consequences. I hope she got to meet him and patch things up before he died.

[(Anonymous)]

His books document one hell of a life and are a great read if you get the chance. I've posted my own tribute of sorts here: www.theperthfiles.blogspot.com

[waitingman.livejournal.com]

A great character, a great player. I saw him a few times over the years & was always amazed at how good a musician he was.

I recently went to Dee Why RSL club & was disappointed that I'd missed him playing there the night before. 'Oh well', I thought, 'if he's playing around Sydney, I'll catch him next time...'

I should know by past experiences that sometimes there isn't a next time... Nico... Roy Buchanan... Jeff Buckley, to name but 3 I didn't get to... & now never will... see.