Hepnotics, Mentals drummer Robbie Souter dies
Tributes have started flowing for high profile Sydney drummer Robbie Souter, who had national acclaim for his work with the Dynamic Hepnotics and Mental As Anything.
Souter, who succumbed to liver failure, turned 68 on March 2. He had been hospitalised for three weeks, said a Facebook post by his partner Sandra King.
The Mentals’ Greedy Smith commented: “Sensitive drummer. Sensitive thinker. Sensitive carer. I was honoured to play with you, ride with you, eat with you and talk with you.”
Guitarist and producer Brendan Gallagher remembered him: “One of the best human beings I’ve ever known – warm, funny, generous, humble to the point of diffidence, and hugely talented.
“He was the rhythm divine, his deft and informed touch propelled many a band, several that I was lucky to be a member of. He ALWAYS made me sound better.”
Robbie Souter began playing in the band Lizard in 1972 and left a year later, emerging five years later with The Living Legends.
He came to national prominence in the 1980s with R&B soul band Dynamic Hepnotics, led by singer “Continental” Robert Suez.
They had two hits in Australia. Soul Kind Of Feeling,which peaked at #5, was APRA’s song of the year in 1986 and also the most played on Australian radio. The follow-up Gotta Be The Wrong Way To Love made it into the Top 20.
Souter went on to play in Slim Dusty’s backing band Travelling Country Band and with Mental As Anything between 2005 and 2012.
In April, Souter joined a reunion of the Travelling Country Band to play Dusty’s songs over a number of shows.
The original lineup of the Hepnotics were to play Melbourne and Sydney through June behind the CD/ DVD release of their 1984 live album with 11 bonus tracks.,
The band were expected to make an announcement late last night about the tour and the release.