Doc Neeson dead: Former Angels frontman dies aged 67

Updated

Bernard "Doc" Neeson, singer-songwriter for veteran Australian rock band The Angels, has died aged 67.

Neeson, who had been suffering from a brain tumour, died in his sleep on Wednesday morning.

"It is with deep sadness and regret that the family of Angels singer/songwriter Bernard 'Doc' Neeson - loving father, family member and friend to so many - announce he has passed away in his sleep at 7.15am," a statement from his family said.

"He has battled with a brain tumour for the last 17 months and sadly lost his fight this (Wednesday) morning.

"He will be deeply missed by his family and partner, Annie Souter, who would all like to thank everyone for their support through this dark time."

The statement, which included the names Dzintra, Daniel, Aidan and Kieran, also said, "We love you Dad".

"You couldn't have made any of your sons more proud of you if you tried. May your beautiful soul rest in peace sweet angel, fly high."

Born in Belfast, embraced by Australia

Known for his loud and energetic live performances, Neeson was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and emigrated to Adelaide with his family at the age of 13.

After time in the army and at university, in 1974 he was one of the founding members of a band called The Keystone Angels, which eventually just became known as The Angels.

As lead singer of The Angels, Neeson had a big string of hits from the 1970s through to the '90s.

The Angels' first single, Am I Ever Going To See Your Face Again, took off slowly after its release in 1976, but later became an unofficial anthem for generations of Australian youth.

Nobody is sure how it happened, but as the years passed, audiences began chanting their own X-rated response to the chorus.

Speaking on Australian Story for an episode that aired earlier this year, Neeson said he was impressed by the uniquely Australian twist given to the famous song.

"In a way, I'm really delighted to hear that, because it's Australian audiences making a song their own," he told Australian Story.

"When the band had first started, we were trying to write strong songs for Australian audiences ... they've made it their own in a way I never would have thought possible."

'Now he's up there with the real angels': Buzz Bidstrup

The ABC's Double J spoke with The Angels' drummer Buzz Bidstrup on Wednesday about Neeson's death.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: The Angels frontman Doc Neeson remembered (ABC News)

"I saw Doc two days ago and we got to say goodbye. His body didn't work anymore. He was in bed and he wasn't able to do anything... now he's up there with the real angels," Mr Bidstrup said.

In 1999, Neeson stepped aside as frontman of The Angels because of a spinal injury.

He was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour just before Christmas in 2012.

Neeson's tumour was surgically removed and he began intensive rounds of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

"It was a shock of course when somebody puts a use-by date on me, but I still hung on to a shred of hope that I'd get back on the stage at some point," Neeson told Australian Story.

Music industry pays tribute to 'enigmatic' Neeson

Fairfax music critic Bernard Zuel says Neeson's stage presence helped make the rock band successful for decades.

"[Neeson] was a performer who threw his body into every show, who made drama out of small things, and theatre out of the bigger things," he said.

"[The Angels] were part of a period where it really mattered that you could put on a live show - that you could play five, six, seven times a week and put on a good show every time.

"They were a band that could do the simple things right, and do it night after night with simple songs that cut through to people."

Double J presenter Myf Warhurst says the band has gone on to influence other artists both in Australia and abroad.

"The Angels were a big influence on the likes of the Guns N' Roses, who the band opened for at one stage, and other groups like Nirvana and Sound Garden," she said.

"They all didn't mind a bit of The Angels, so I think their reach was global, even though predominantly their success was Australian.

She says Neeson was a "strident, enigmatic performer" who made an impact "in terms of musically, how a frontman can be".

Known for his impressive performances on stage, Neeson's personality was larger than life off the stage too, music director at triple j, Richard Kingsmill said.

"Being with him close up, he felt big there as well - in presence, that is. It was hard not to feel intimated initially," he said.

"But after a while I realised this guy didn't have a huge ego and was actually a really gentle guy to be around.

"He was a huge music fan too - well versed in the legendary singers."

Triple j Home and Hosed host Dom Alessio says the lasting memory of Neeson and The Angels will be of the crowd chanting back to Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.

"That just seems to exemplify everything about The Angels, that rock'n'roll bravado and singing along in the pub and just having a really good time."

Sorry, this video has expired Video: The Angels perform Am I Ever Going To See Your Face Again (ABC News)

Topics: death, rock, music, arts-and-entertainment, community-and-society, australia

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