The news of the passing of Gary “Angry” Anderson at 69 has left me with real mixed emotions. He hasn’t been too far from my thoughts since he was admitted to hospital in Germany during Rose Tattoo’s European tour. But his passing has also thrust his life outside music into the spotlight. Angry was an absolute icon of the Australian rock scene. But he was so much more.
“Angry was a devoted father, and much-loved bandmate, friend, and member of the wider music and entertainment community,” the Anderson family and Rose Tattoo said in a shared statement. “His loss will be deeply felt by all those who knew and loved him both here in Australia and overseas. The family and band members are asking for privacy at this difficult time and will not be giving interviews. We kindly ask that their wishes are respected as they come to terms with this devastating loss and take time they need to grieve.”
Since the news of Angry’s passing broke, there have been plenty of media outlets that have jumped in to point out his flaws. Honestly, I wasn’t aware of his political views until that point, and I’ve been disappointed to learn of many areas where we didn’t align. They’re out there for all to see and worth reading and considering. In my opinion, they do taint Angry’s legacy somewhat, at least for me. But they also can’t change the impact of his music or his tireless charity work. And piling on right now, so soon after his passing, seems incredibly opportunistic.
RIP Angry.
Photo credit: Matt Williams
