Died Pretty drummer Chris Welsh has died at the age of 71. The Australian alternative band confirmed the news on their Facebook page, sharing a picture of the musician on stage.
The post read: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our drummer Chris Welsh, who died on Thursday evening surrounded by his wife Neung and children Jack and Louis."
"Chris had been battling cancer with for a number of years now with great dignity and courage. Chris was an integral part of the band and much loved and we will miss him dearly."
Cancer battle and hospice care
Welsh had been fighting lung cancer since 2023. Days before his death, the band posted an update on Instagram explaining he had moved to a hospice and appealed for financial help.
Alongside an image of Chris in a wheelchair as his son sipped a coffee beside him, they wrote: "As you all know Chris is battling cancer courageously and has now moved from St Vincents to Caritas Christi Hospice for palliative care."
"Thankfully, he is now joined with his wife Nueng, who has given up work and left their home in Thailand to be by his side."
"As we all know it is not easy to live in Australia these days, so every single donation, no matter how small, will make an immense difference to relieve their financial burden at this very difficult time."
Band history and loss of lead singer
Welsh's death follows the passing of lead singer Ron Peno in August 2023, aged 68. Peno had been battling oesophageal cancer since his diagnosis in 2019.
Died Pretty was founded in Sydney in 1983 by Ron and guitarist Brett Myers. Welsh joined the band in 1985, having previously collaborated with Peno in the garage punk band The 31st. His passing leaves Brett as the only original member of the band.
