Key Takeaways
- Bob "Bongo" Starkie, the guitarist and backing vocalist of the Australian rock band Skyhooks, has passed away due to ill health.
- Starkie’s daughter, Indiana, announced his passing, stating that he "peacefully departed listening to Chuck Berry" surrounded by friends and family.
- Red Symons, the band’s lead guitarist, shared his memories of Starkie, including their meeting when Starkie was a teenager and their time playing together in Skyhooks.
- The band was known for their quirky, place-based songs and glitzy stage attire, and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1992.
- Starkie’s decision to enlist a female singer to tour Skyhooks’ songs in later years was seen as a respectful tribute to the band’s original lead singer, Shirley Strachan.
Introduction to Bob Starkie and Skyhooks
Bob "Bongo" Starkie, the guitarist and backing vocalist of the iconic Australian rock band Skyhooks, has passed away due to ill health. The news was announced by his daughter, Indiana, who stated that he "peacefully departed listening to Chuck Berry" surrounded by friends and family, including his fur baby Bonnie. This sad news comes after Starkie cancelled the band’s 50th-anniversary shows for their seminal debut album, Living in the 70’s, due to his poor health. The album, which was released in 1974, was a massive success, selling over 300,000 copies, despite six of its tracks being banned from radio due to their explicit content.
Red Symons’ Tribute to Bob Starkie
Red Symons, the band’s lead guitarist, shared his memories of Starkie, including their meeting when Starkie was just a teenager. Symons met Starkie through his older brother, Peter, who was a founding member of Skyhooks and taught both Symons and Starkie how to play the guitar. Starkie joined the band in August 1973 as a replacement for Peter, who sadly passed away in 2020 at the age of 72. Symons praised Starkie’s decision to enlist a female singer to tour Skyhooks’ songs in later years, stating that it was a respectful tribute to the band’s original lead singer, Shirley Strachan. Symons also shared his last meeting with Starkie, which took place at Starkie’s home just a week before his passing. Symons said that it was a nice opportunity to show affection towards his friend and bandmate, despite Starkie’s poor health.
The Legacy of Skyhooks
Skyhooks were one of the most iconic Australian rock bands of the 1970s, known for their quirky, place-based songs and glitzy stage attire. The band was a favorite of the Melbourne-produced music TV series, Countdown, and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1992. Their debut album, Living in the 70’s, was added to the National Film and Sound Archive in 2011, and is still widely regarded as one of the greatest Australian albums of all time. The album’s success was a testament to the band’s unique sound and style, which was characterized by their humorous and often provocative lyrics, as well as their catchy and energetic melodies. Despite the explicit content of some of their songs, Skyhooks were able to build a massive following in Australia and beyond, and their music remains popular to this day.
The Impact of Bob Starkie’s Passing
The passing of Bob Starkie is a significant loss for the Australian music community, and his contributions to the band’s success will not be forgotten. Starkie’s decision to enlist a female singer to tour Skyhooks’ songs in later years was a testament to his respect for the band’s original lead singer, Shirley Strachan, and his commitment to keeping the band’s music alive. The band’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans, and their music remains an important part of Australian rock history. As Red Symons said, Starkie’s passing is a reminder to appreciate the people and relationships in our lives, and to show affection and respect towards those who are important to us. The outpouring of tributes and condolences from fans and fellow musicians is a testament to the impact that Starkie and Skyhooks had on the music world, and their music will continue to be celebrated and enjoyed for years to come.