Chris Bailey, the lead singer of Australian rock group The Saints, has passed away at 65.
The band confirmed the news of Bailey’s death on their official Facebook page this morning. There was no cause of death. The post said: “It is with great pain in our hearts that we have to inform you about the passing of Chris Bailey, singer and songwriter of The Saints, on April the 9th 2022.”
“Chris lived a life of poetry and music and stranded on a Saturday night.”
Bailey was born in Kenya to Irish parents in 1957. He spent the first seven years in Belfast. Bailey and his family moved to Brisbane, Australia where he met Ed Kuepper, guitarist, and Ivor Hay, drummer, at high school. They formed the band in 1973, originally called Kid Galahad and The Eternals. It would go on to experience many lineups over the years.
They changed their name to The Saints in 1974. Jeffrey Wegner joined the group on drums and Hay switched to bass guitar. Wegner left in the following year. Hay was back on drums and Kym Bradshaw joined the group as bassist.
In 1976, the band scored their first hit with ‘(I’m) Stranded’, releasing their debut album of the same name the followinfg year. They released 13 more albums, including ‘Prodigal Son’, ‘Eternally Yours’, ‘Prehistoric Sounds’And ‘All Fools Day’Among other things. ‘Just Like Fire Would’Bruce Springsteen covered the song “It is You”, their lead single, from their last album. ‘High Hopes’.
In 2001, The Saints were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame, and have been lauded as one of the most influential bands in the Australian punk scene in the ’70s.
Bailey, who was the longest-standing band member, also released a few solo albums.
Since the news broke about his death, tributes have flowed. Former bandmate Ed Kuepper wrote: “Very sad to confirm the news about Chris Bailey dying on the weekend. Chris and I met when we were about 14 during detention at Oxley High School and became close friends which later developed into what I always thought was an extremely strong artistic partnership.”
“I couldn’t have hoped for a better singer. My deepest condolences to his wife Elisabet, his sisters Margaret, Carol and Maureen and the rest of his family and loved ones.”
It was very difficult to hear the sad news that Chris Bailey died on Saturday. Chris and me met when we were around 14 years old during detention at Oxley School. From that point, we became good friends. This friendship later evolved into what I have always considered an exceptionally strong artistic partnership. pic.twitter.com/hQVKKHYgzT
— Ed Kuepper (@EdKuepper) April 10, 2022
Others, such as Guns N’ Roses‘ Duff McKagan, Jimmy Barnes, Warren Ellis of Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Dave Graney, Frenzal Rhomb’Lindsay McDowens, and others have also paid respects online.
Please read the following tributes.
Chris Bailey, Rest In Peace. 21 years is a long time for a prisoner to serve. Saints forever! https://t.co/rWuvv8r49G
— Duff McKagan (@DuffMcKagan) April 10, 2022
A great songwriter has died. His band, The Saints, was punk before punk. He was a master at words and helped to tell our story. Chris Bailey, RIP pic.twitter.com/jTSdiyKBLy
— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) April 11, 2022
Chris Bailey One of the best singers Thé Saints one of the best bands. Vale, Chris. pic.twitter.com/dLxvROvrvc
— Warren Ellis (@warrenellis13) April 10, 2022
How perfect were the Saints! Chris Bailey reminded me a lot of Chuck Berry. He was a man who met the world according to his terms. Wasn’t easily commodified. There’s a track called That Depends on Ed’s album Jean Lee And The Yellow Dog where Chris sings and you hear how great the combination of pic.twitter.com/v1Qgy5O5Bd
— dave graney (@davegraney) April 10, 2022
Another legend. This one is a cocreator of punk rock music. Chris Bailey, RIP. pic.twitter.com/pjID8YExmg
— Lindsay McDowens (@doctormcdougall) April 10, 2022
The news of Chris Bailey’s death, front man for the iconic Brisbane band The Saints is sad. Inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame by The Saints in 2001. Our thoughts are with Chris’ family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/wP2i3IiGAJ
— ARIA (@ARIA_Official) April 10, 2022
The Saints – Know your product https://t.co/iEt6gBp4pzvia @YouTube
Chris Bailey, RIP. One of our most beloved.
It was a pleasure to stay at his wonderful, sprawling home in Queen St. Woollahra. He was generous and wickedly funny, just as a rock star should. Legend.— Rhys Muldoon (@rhysam) April 10, 2022