Amphlett’s legacy lives on through breast cancer awareness project

A new version of The Divinyls’ classic I Touch Myself has been recorded by a slew of Australian female musicians as part of a new breast cancer awareness project launched in honour of the late Chrissy Amphlett.

Amphlett passed away last April 21 following her battle with breast cancer. She was 53. The campaign aims to spread awareness around the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

Olivia Newton-John, Megan Washington, Sarah McLeod, Katie Noonan, Sarah Blasko, Suze DeMarchi, Deborah Conway, Kate Ceberano, Little Pattie and Connie Mitchell have paid tribute to Amphlett in the new rendition of the hit single.

“When performing it and being in the environment with so many other women, it asks you to reflect on what Chrissy might have experienced during those last years,” said Kate Ceberano. “It’s a very isolating condition and we don’t want people to feel isolated.”

“I feel really emotional to be a part of it,” said Sarah Blasko. “It’s really hard to ignore the background of her – when she was dying – being very aware that this song was something that made sense with her illness. It’s very difficult to not be emotionally affected by that when you’re performing it.”

“Chrissy was a force” Baby Animals vocalist Suze DeMarchi said of the late artist. “She left such a great legacy. Especially with this song, being able to be used for something like a breast cancer awareness thing […] To be involved in it is a really great honour.”

Ambassadors including Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek, celebrity chef Kylie Kwong and  Libby Gore have also recorded TV spots for the campaign.

In addition, Blender Gallery in Paddington, Sydney is hosting an exhibition of photographs of Chrissy Amphlett by five world renowned photographers, including Tony Mott, who wrote this tribute for Amphlett in TMN.

The exhibition runs from this Thursday, April 17 until May 10, with a percentage of proceeds from print sales going to the Cancer Council NSW.

Visit itouchmyself.org for more information on the campaign, and watch the video below.