Steve Wright, The Easybeats, 68

[t***@iwvisp.com]

Steve Wright, former lead singer for The Easybeats is dead at 68.

Stevie Wright, who fronted the band The Easybeats in the 1960s and is widely regarded as Australia's first international pop star, has died at the age of 68.

The Noise11 music website reported that the ARIA Hall of Famer became ill on Boxing Day and was taken to Moruya Hospital on the NSW south coast where he died on Sunday night.

Rock historian Glenn A. Baker confirmed to radio station 6PR he had been informed of the rock legend's death.

Wright, who was also known as Little Stevie, was the lead singer of The Easybeats, regarded as the greatest Australian pop band of the 1960s.

Their song Friday On My Mind was a number-one hit in Australia, number six in Britain and made the top 20 in the US.

The song was later covered by David Bowie on his Pin-Ups album.

The Easybeats broke up in 1969 and Wright became a top solo artist with his epic song Evie.

But he went on to battle drug and alcohol addiction for two decades.

In 2005 he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame for his success with The Easybeats.

He last performed at the Legends of Rock Festival at Byron Bay in 2009.

News of his death prompted tributes on social media.

"Goodbye to a man who faced his demons and won," tweeted one fan.

"Sorry indeed. So much the soundtrack of my youth and so influential on this country's musical path. RIP Stevie," another wrote.

Musician Donna G wrote: "Vale Stevie Wright, a true Australian Rock Icon. Man, we will never forget you. Thank you for everything! Rest in peace, legend."

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The U S remembers The Easybeats best for their 1967 hit "Friday on My Mind."

Ray Arthur

[Uni]

Post by t***@iwvisp.com
Steve Wright, former lead singer for The Easybeats is dead at 68.
Stevie Wright, who fronted the band The Easybeats in the 1960s and is widely regarded as Australia's first international pop star, has died at the age of 68.
The Noise11 music website reported that the ARIA Hall of Famer became ill on Boxing Day and was taken to Moruya Hospital on the NSW south coast where he died on Sunday night.
Rock historian Glenn A. Baker confirmed to radio station 6PR he had been informed of the rock legend's death.
Wright, who was also known as Little Stevie, was the lead singer of The Easybeats, regarded as the greatest Australian pop band of the 1960s.
Their song Friday On My Mind was a number-one hit in Australia, number six in Britain and made the top 20 in the US.
The song was later covered by David Bowie on his Pin-Ups album.
The Easybeats broke up in 1969 and Wright became a top solo artist with his epic song Evie.
But he went on to battle drug and alcohol addiction for two decades.
In 2005 he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame for his success with The Easybeats.
He last performed at the Legends of Rock Festival at Byron Bay in 2009.
News of his death prompted tributes on social media.
"Goodbye to a man who faced his demons and won," tweeted one fan.
"Sorry indeed. So much the soundtrack of my youth and so influential on this country's musical path. RIP Stevie," another wrote.
Musician Donna G wrote: "Vale Stevie Wright, a true Australian Rock Icon. Man, we will never forget you. Thank you for everything! Rest in peace, legend."
&&&&&&&&&
The U S remembers The Easybeats best for their 1967 hit "Friday on My Mind."
Ray Arthur

SOB, I just posted Friday On My Mind!! Arrrg!!


Uni

[hislop]

Post by t***@iwvisp.com
Steve Wright, former lead singer for The Easybeats is dead at 68.
Stevie Wright, who fronted the band The Easybeats in the 1960s and is
widely regarded as Australia's first international pop star, has died
at the age of 68.
The Noise11 music website reported that the ARIA Hall of Famer became
ill on Boxing Day and was taken to Moruya Hospital on the NSW south
coast where he died on Sunday night.
Rock historian Glenn A. Baker confirmed to radio station 6PR he had
been informed of the rock legend's death.
Wright, who was also known as Little Stevie, was the lead singer of
The Easybeats, regarded as the greatest Australian pop band of the
1960s.
Their song Friday On My Mind was a number-one hit in Australia,
number six in Britain and made the top 20 in the US.
The song was later covered by David Bowie on his Pin-Ups album.
The Easybeats broke up in 1969 and Wright became a top solo artist with his epic song Evie.
But he went on to battle drug and alcohol addiction for two decades.
In 2005 he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame for his success with The Easybeats.
He last performed at the Legends of Rock Festival at Byron Bay in 2009.
News of his death prompted tributes on social media.
"Goodbye to a man who faced his demons and won," tweeted one fan.
"Sorry indeed. So much the soundtrack of my youth and so influential
on this country's musical path. RIP Stevie," another wrote.
Musician Donna G wrote: "Vale Stevie Wright, a true Australian Rock
Icon. Man, we will never forget you. Thank you for everything! Rest
in peace, legend."
&&&&&&&&&
The U S remembers The Easybeats best for their 1967 hit "Friday on My Mind."
Ray Arthur

Sad news. I unfortunately never managed to see anything of him or the
Easybeats live, the best concert would have been an Easybeats reunion in
the 80s. Stevie had been unwell for a very long time, and was caught up
in the infamous Chelmsford hospital debacle and 'deep sleep therapy'
which contributed to his condition.
Vanda and Young seemed to drift away from Stevie who at first was a
major songwriter in the group. The Easybeats had a bad experience with
Shel Talmy when they went to England, release of some material, the
album Vigil I think was held up for months. The song Good Times which
was meant to be released earlier was heard by Paul McCartney on the
radio who rang to hear it again.
You should listen to their pre British material which is generally
superior to their later material, maybe an exception being Friday On My
Mind.
Evie was a three part single that was played in its 10 minute entirety
every time it was played on top40 radio in the mid 70s in Melbourne.
There's a story that The Easybeats went to Paul McCartney's home or
something and he recognized the drummer, who had been an emigrant from
England to Australia.