Gary "Angry" Anderson, the gravel-voiced frontman of Australian hard rock band Rose Tattoo, has died. He was 79.
Anderson died Sept. 21 while "surrounded by loved ones" in Australia, according to a joint statement shared on Instagram by his family and the band Wednesday, Sept. 23.
"Angry was a devoted father, and much-loved bandmate, friend, and member of the wider music and entertainment community," the statement said. "His loss will be deeply felt by all those who knew and loved him both here in Australia and overseas."
His family and bandmates asked for privacy and said they would not give interviews while grieving.
A cause of death was not disclosed. Anderson had
recently been hospitalized after suffering cardiac arrest while Rose Tattoo was touring in Germany, according to The Guardian. The band canceled the remaining dates on its European tour following his hospitalization.
Born Gary Anderson, the singer spent five decades as the frontman of Rose Tattoo, which formed in Sydney in 1976.
Rose Tattoo established itself as a fixture of Australian hard rock with songs including "Bad Boy for Love," "Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw," "We Can't Be Beaten" and "Nice Boys." The band's self-titled debut album arrived in 1978 and later reached No. 1 on the British heavy metal chart, as did its follow-up, "Assault and Battery."
Anderson also found success away from the band. His solo single "Suddenly" became popular after it was used during an episode of Australian soap opera "Neighbours" for an episode protraying the wedding of Scott and Charlene, played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue. The song reached No. 2 in Australia and No. 3 in the United Kingdom.
His career also included acting. Anderson portrayed Ironbar Bassey in the 1985 film "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome," starring Mel Gibson and Tina Turner.
Outside entertainment, Anderson was known for his charity work and advocacy for young people. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rose Tattoo frontman Gary 'Angry' Anderson dead at 79
