http://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/doc-neeson-of-the-angels-performs-on-stage-during-the-news-photo/76521511
Tributes have begun pouring in for Angels frontman Doc Neeson, whose death at the age of 67 was announced today. High-ranking industry figures like Michael Gudinski and Michael Chugg, as well as numerous local artists have paid tribute to Neeson and offered condolences to his family.
“Doc Neeson was one of the nicest people I have ever met and spent time with and an inspiration to everyone who wanted to be part of Australian music,” Chugg told The Music. “With the Angels he continued the list of great bands from Adelaide which started in the ’60s and continues today.”
Meanwhile, Mushroom Group Founder Gudinski told the site, “He was always a gentleman, very intelligent and well spoken and yet on stage he was one of Australia’s greatest frontman of all time and brought a uniqueness to one of Australia’s best rock bands. The Angels could have been enormous internationally, and the great things is their songs are unique and they stand up today.”
Brothers Rick and John Brewster, who co-founded the Moonshine Jug and String Band, which later became The Angels, paid tribute to Neeson on the Angels Facebook page. “Doc stood out as one of a kind, a totally unique performer. His feverish stage presence was unsurpassed yet beneath the public persona was a gentle soul. He leaves behind a wealth of shared memories,” wrote Rick.
“Doc became one of the great frontmen of all time, a dynamic, demonic, artistic and imposing performer who would give it his all night after night, totally spent at the end of each show,” added John Brewster. “There was a deep, sensitive and gentle side to Doc. In this sad time of his passing I’ll remember him for that and the good times we had together, now and forever more.”
Among the artists and industry figures to pay tribute to the late frontman are Jimmy Barnes, Peter Garrett, The Living End‘s Chris Cheney, the Hilltop Hoods, AJ Maddah, Richard Wilkins, The Basics, Baby Animals, and Ross Wilson. Readers can view some of the many tributes below.
This is it Doc. U will be missed my friend. Me and most of Aus loved u. The rest were just jealous Xx RIP pic.twitter.com/cYANeWxybr
— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) June 4, 2014
#Legend Farewell Doc, big man with a huge heart and a mighty talent, you showed us how.
— Peter Garrett (@pgarrett) June 4, 2014
sad to hear about Doc. Was so great to play onstage with him in east Timor. A beautiful charismatic gentlemen and one hell of a frontman.
— Chris Cheney (@ChrisCheney23) June 4, 2014
Australia has lost it's greatest rock 'n roll frontman. Doc Neeson is the reason I fell in love with rock music. Just devastated.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) June 4, 2014
Really sad to hear about Doc Neeson passing. I used to thrash 'Live at Narara' as a kid.
— Hilltop Hoods (@hilltophoods) June 4, 2014
RIP my pal Doc RT“@abcnews: Doc Neeson, fmr frontman of Australian rock band The Angels, has died aged 67 pic.twitter.com/LmiuGlRyRe”
— Ross Wilson (@rosswilsonmusic) June 4, 2014
He was one of a kind, brilliant and kind. Thankyou Doc Neeson for being such a massive inspiration to me and The BAs pic.twitter.com/WJpsFInPKT
— Baby Animals (@TheBabyAnimals) June 4, 2014
Very sad to hear of Doc Neeson's passing. He had a heart of gold and loved the stage. Very fortunate to have shared time. He will be missed.
— The Basics (@the3basics) June 4, 2014
RIP DOC NEESON… Your music inspired the world \m/
— Dallas Frasca (@dallasfrasca) June 4, 2014
R.I.P. Doc Neeson #Legend
— Richard Wilkins (@RichardWilkins) June 4, 2014
RIP Doc Neeson. What a giant of Aussie Rock. The soundtrack to many memories. #Vale
— David Campbell (@DavidCampbell73) June 4, 2014
From one 'doc' to another….. Thank you for those kind & encouraging words all those years ago….. #docneeson #theangels
— Craig McLachlan (@CraigMcLachlan_) June 4, 2014
RIP Doc Neeson. What a giant of Aussie Rock. The soundtrack to many memories. #Vale
— David Campbell (@DavidCampbell73) June 4, 2014
From all at ARIA we send our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Angels front man Doc Neeson. pic.twitter.com/UtcsJJSgIe
— ARIA (@ARIA_Official) June 4, 2014
RIP Doc Neeson. Out of the Blue e.p. was one of the first records I owned. A legend and a sad loss. http://t.co/94Q5pcjtQe
— Pat Davern (@PatDavern) June 4, 2014
RIP Doc Neeson. One of the greatest performers to ever grace the stage
— Sam Brewster (@Sbrewstermusic) June 4, 2014
@DocNeesonEmc2 rest easy Doc Neeson, you are Aust rock n roll royalty and will be sadly missed.. pic.twitter.com/tkxUH8ttIl
— Troy Cassar-Daley (@troycassardaley) June 4, 2014
