Rock star Bruce Howe has died aged 77.
The veteran musician, who was the bassist for 70s band Fraternity with Jimmy Barnes and AC/DC legend Bon Scott, died after a prolonged ‘battle with most cancers’.
Confirming the unhappy information, Barnes wrote on social media: ‘My expensive buddy Bruce Howe has handed away after a battle with most cancers.
‘Bruce was the primary particular person I rang once I went solo. He performed bass with my band and helped information me via the early years of my profession.
‘He can be sadly missed. RIP, you had been essentially the most ferocious bass participant I’ve ever heard.’
Fraternity, who topped the charts in Australia with singles Seasons of Change and If You Bought It, shaped in 1970 earlier than the group disbanded 5 years later.
Howe based the band with bandmates John Bisset, Mick Jurd and Tony Buettel, with Freeway to Hell singer Scott, who died in 1980, becoming a member of the next yr.
When Scott left in 1973 and went on to hitch AC/DC, John Swan stepped in as lead singer the next yr, earlier than his youthful brother Barnes took over in 1975.
Howe stayed lively after the top of Fraternity, and persevering with to work with Barnes on his solo tasks.
Barnes advised Adelaide Now this week: ‘Bruce was a tough taskmaster. He used to hit me behind the pinnacle along with his bass if I sang flat. He was full on, robust and demanding however he inspired me to tug out extra of myself.
‘I can’t thank Bruce sufficient for working with me after I left Chilly Chisel. He was the one musician I wanted round me at that essential time in my life.’
Music promoter Victor Marshall praised Howe for the ‘essential position’ he performed in altering Australia’s musical panorama, however ‘guiding among the nation’s most famed rock entrance males’.
He added: ‘We take immense delight in Bruce’s achievements in music and his steadfast dedication to these he cherished.’
Howe, whose spouse Anne died in 2023, retired from music a number of years in the past as he handled ongoing well being points.
He as soon as described Bon Scott as a ‘great bloke’ to work with, and somebody totally devoted to the music.
He advised ABC’s Australian Story in 2022: ‘The one factor that mattered to him was getting up there and being a profitable entrance man…
‘All of us knew this wasn’t going to finish effectively. However he was an exquisite bloke and I beloved him heaps.’
Howe is survived by his son JJ, and grandchildren Jack and Jasmin.
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