Former Divinyls singer Chrissy Amphlett has died in New York after a long battle with cancer.
Amphlett, 53, lived in New York with her husband, former Divinyls drummer Charley Drayton.
She revealed that she had breast cancer in 2010 and she had also battled multiple sclerosis.
Amphlett, the cousin of the 1960s pop icon ''Little Pattie'' Amphlett, rose to fame as the feisty lead singer of the Divinyls, who formed in 1980.
Famous for Amphlett's sexy schoolgirl outfit, torn fishnets and wild on-stage antics, the Divinyls had their first hits, Boys in Town and Only Lonely, after appearing in the 1982 film Monkey Grip.
They had four Top 10 albums in Australia and one in the US. Their biggest-selling single, I Touch Myself, in 1991, was a No.1 hit in Australia, and made the Top 10 in the US and Britain.
The band was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006, and, after a tour in 2007, split up.
Social media sites Facebook and Twitter were immediately flooded with outpourings of grief from fans and Amphlett's colleagues.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
She was awesomely edgy as a singer.
I remember seeing an interview with her from a couple of years ago, and being struck by how very nice, and how humble she was.
Cold Chisel's official statement was, I thought, a great summary:
Vale Chrissy Amphlett – our great friend
Cold Chisel is deeply saddened to hear the news of Chrissy Amphlett’s passing. Chrissy was a great friend to all of us and a fierce and formidable artist. Our hearts go out to her husband and our brother, Charley Drayton and to her family and friends. Chrissy’s family has just released this statement.
Our beloved Chrissy peacefully passed this afternoon.
Christine Joy Amphlett succumbed to the effects of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, diseases she vigorously fought with exceptional bravery and dignity. She passed gently, in her sleep, surrounded by close friends and family, including husband of fourteen years, musician Charley Drayton; her sister, Leigh; nephew, Matt; and cousin Patricia Amphlett (“Little Pattie”).
Chrissy’s light burns so very brightly. Hers was a life of passion and creativity; she always lived it to the fullest. With her force of character and vocal strength she paved the way for strong, sexy, outspoken women.
Best remembered as the lead singer of the ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, Divinyls; last month she was named one of Australia’s top ten singers of all time. Chrissy expressed hope that her worldwide hit “I Touch Myself” would be utilized to remind all women to perform annual breast examinations.
Chrissy was a true pioneer and a treasure to all whose lives her music and spirit touched.
