Aussie bassist Tim Partridge passes away

Much sought-after Australian bassist Tim Partridge has passed away at age 70.

His son Mitchell confirmed his death via Facebook on Saturday (September 12).

Partridge played in some well-known bands including two bands fronted by Ross Wilson, and the Kevin Borich Express.

Born in Bristol, England, he then grew up in Hobart.

In the mid-60s, he moved to Melbourne and joined the teenage Ross Wilson and Ross Hannaford in Sons of Vegetal Mother, who made history when the vice squad banned their song lyric book as “obscene”.

In the ‘70s, the bassist plugged in with Company Caine, Ash and King Harvest before teaming up again with Wilson and Hannaford in the post-Daddy Cool band Mighty Kong who had the hit ‘All I Wanna Do Is Rock’.

After that, he worked with Aunty Jack & The ‘Gong, Foreday Riders and The Renee Geyer Band.

Partridge hit a music peak with the Kevin Borich Express between 1976 and 1980.

He was much-in-demand at sessions, and he featured on tracks by Doug Parkinson, Jeff St. John, Doug Ashdown, Mike McClellan and Benjamin Hugg.

Partridge ended up teaching at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music in Hobart.

On the weekend, musicians reflected on how Partridge’s technique and sense of feel had inspired them. 

Roger McLachlan recalled meeting him around his time with Little River Band.

“Man what an inspiration that guy was on bass. I got to hang out with Tim around that time and he inspired me to go for it and be fearless on the Bass,” he said. 

Blues keyboard player Lachy Dooley, who jammed with Partridge many times, called him “a truly masterful bass player and musician”.

“What a bass player. No one could play as funky as Tim,” singer Shauna Jensen recalled.

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