Skyhooks Guitarist Bob 'Bongo' Starkie Dies at 73
The music world is mourning the loss of Bob 'Bongo' Starkie, the renowned guitarist for the iconic Australian band Skyhooks, who has died at the age of 73. The band announced that Starkie passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, following a courageous year-long battle with leukaemia.
A Peaceful Passing Surrounded by Love and Music
Peter Green, the band's archivist, shared the sad news in a post on the official Skyhooks Facebook page. The statement expressed that the band members were 'exceptionally saddened by the loss of our band mate' and extended their deepest condolences to Starkie's family. His daughter, Indiana, provided a poignant detail, confirming her father died while 'listening to Chuck Berry', snuggling with his dog, and surrounded by his closest friends and family members.
Starkie's fight against acute myeloid leukaemia had forced him to cancel a series of live shows planned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Skyhooks' seminal second album, 'Ego Is Not A Dirty Word'. In an interview with Noise 11 just this past August, he had expressed hope that the shows could be rescheduled for the new year.
Embracing the Theatrics of a Rock Icon
Born in 1952, Bob Starkie joined Skyhooks not long after its formation in Melbourne in 1973, taking over the guitar role from his own brother, Peter, who was a founding member. Starkie quickly became an integral part of the band's flamboyant and revolutionary image. He was the youngest member of the group and fully embraced its theatrical spirit, from striking facial makeup to unique stage costumes.
The band's statement highlighted that 'music was in his blood till the very end' and that 'touring and playing onstage was his absolute joy'. Skyhooks rose to become one of Australia's most culturally significant rock acts, with their popularity skyrocketing thanks to early appearances on the classic music TV programme, ABC's Countdown.
After reaching their peak in the 1970s and experiencing several break-ups and reformations, Skyhooks' legacy was cemented when they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1992.
A Family's Tribute and a Legacy of Music
The profound personal loss was articulated by his daughter, Indiana, who had previously started a GoFundMe campaign to help with her father's medical expenses. She is quoted on the band's Facebook page, saying the family would miss him dearly. She is survived by his partner Chrissy, his daughters Indiana and Arabella, his grandchildren, and close friends.
Earlier this year, Indiana wrote a moving tribute on the fundraising page, stating, 'From the moment he wakes up... even during his hardest days having chemo in Geelong hospital, his guitar was by his side.' She noted that while they may not have had many years left, the family was determined to 'fill those days with love and music', a testament to the passion that defined Bob Starkie's life until the very end.
