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Australian rock star Angry Anderson, whose song “Suddenly” became closely associated with the wedding of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan’s characters in the television soap opera “Neighbours”, has died aged 79, according to the BBC.
Anderson, whose real name was Gary Anderson, rose to prominence as the frontman of rock band Rose Tattoo, a position he held from 1976.
His solo song “Suddenly” became an international hit after it was played during the 1988 wedding episode involving Charlene Mitchell, played by Minogue, and Scott Robinson, played by Donovan. The episode was watched by 20 million people in the UK alone.
“Suddenly” became a global hit
Anderson said Minogue had been “adamant” that the song should be used for the scene. He later described “Suddenly” as the best song he had written.
Co-written and released in 1987, the song reached the top three in both the UK and Australia. It was kept from the top spot in Australia by Minogue’s debut solo single, “Locomotion”.
Anderson and Rose Tattoo first made their name on Australia’s rock scene, releasing five albums from their 1978 debut. After the group split in 1987, Anderson continued recording as a solo artist and released two albums.
Rose Tattoo reunited after split
Rose Tattoo reunited in 1993 to support “Guns N’ Roses” on their Australian tour. The band returned for its own tour in 1998 and was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 2006.
Anderson also played Herod in an Australian production of “Jesus Christ Superstar”. In 1993, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his community service, including charity work and advocacy for young people.
Before his death, Anderson suffered a cardiac arrest during Rose Tattoo’s farewell tour in Europe last month. He was treated in hospital and later returned home to Australia, while the band cancelled nine concerts.
In a joint statement, Anderson’s family and Rose Tattoo remembered him as a “devoted father and much-loved bandmate”. They said his death would be deeply felt by those who knew and loved him in Australia and overseas, and thanked supporters for their prayers and messages.
