Legendary Australian musician dead at 77 – as his Empire of the Sun star son pays tribute to him
Beloved Australian blues musician Rick Steele died on Monday aged 77, following a long health battle.
The hard-working guitarist was a fixture of the local Perth blues scene for decades.
He performed with his group The Hot Biscuit Band to thousands of fans across the country over many years.
His death was confirmed in a heartbreaking statement on social media by his son Luke, who is the frontman of Australian electronic music act Empire of the Sun.
‘On March 10th at 5.55pm, our precious father Rick Steele went to be with the Lord. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side,’ Luke began.
‘A true legend, a voice and a shepherd for the common man, a story teller, a blues man with a heart of gold.
Beloved Australian blues musician Rick Steele died on Monday aged 77, following a long health battle. The hard-working guitarist was a fixture of the local Perth blues scene for decades
He performed with his group The Hot Biscuit Band to thousands of fans across the country over many years
‘He spent his life soothing the souls of so many through his incredible gift of music.
‘His own musical career spanned more than 60 years, a repertoire of thousands of songs. He was an eccentric, an artist with a beautiful flair.’
Devastated fans took to social media to express their condolences.
‘Thoughts and prayers for your family! He will be playing his music for all of heaven to hear,’ one person wrote.
‘A lovely man with so much talent,’ added another.
Steele was born in New Zealand in 1948 and moved to Australia with his wife Liz and their children in 1981.
He had previously worked in New Zealand’s vibrant music scene before settling in Perth, where he continued his musical journey and became a fixture in the city’s vibrant blues community.
His musical legacy spanned over six decades, with an extensive catalogue of beloved songs that captivated audiences around the world.
The energetic performer instilled a love of music in his children, with son Luke Steele achieving international fame with Empire of the Sun
Across his celebrated career he played nearly 10,000 gigs, including supporting legendary acts such as Dragon, Little River Band and Split Enz.
Steele’s enormous contributions to the industry were recognised with his induction into the WA Music Hall of Fame in 2016, alongside icons such as AC/DC’s Bon Scott.
He also made significant contributions to the local music scene as the president of the Perth Blues Club, a position he held for over 30 years.
The energetic performer instilled a love of music in his children, with son Luke Steele achieving international fame with Empire of the Sun.
Meanwhile, daughter Katy earned acclaim as the singer for pop group Little Birdy.
His love for his family was evident and often performed live with his son’s band.
He is survived by his long-term wife Liz, four children and nine grandchildren.
A memorial is being organised to honour his extraordinary contribution to Australian music.
