The Angels’ Doc Neeson passes away, aged 67

Australian rock legend Doc Neeson has passed away, aged 67.

The death of The Angels’ frontman was confirmed in a statement posted on Facebook this morning. He passed away at 7:15am at a private Sydney hospital, almost a year-and-a-half after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in January of last year.

The full statement released by publicist Catherine Swinton includes a message from his children and partner and a quote from Hamlet.

Read the full statement below:

It is with deep sadness and regret that the family of Angels singer/songwriter Bernard ’Doc’ Neeson – loving father, family member and friend to so many – announce he has passed away in his sleep at 7.15am, today, 4th June 2014.

He has battled with a brain tumour for the last 17 months and sadly lost his fight this morning. He will be deeply missed by his family and partner Annie Souter who would all like to thank everyone for their support through this dark time.

“We love you Dad. You couldn’t have made any of your sons more proud of you if you tried. May your beautiful soul rest in peace sweet angel, fly high.” Dzintra, Daniel, Aidan and Kieran.

“Good Night, Sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” With love forever, Annie – borrowed from William Shakespeare – Hamlet”

Tributes have been pouring in over social media. Brothers and co-founding members of The Angels, Rick and John Brewster, have both released statements as well as David Alberts, Managing Director at The Angels’ longtime music publisher Alberts.

“Doc stood out as one of a kind, a totally unique performer. His feverish stage presence was unsurpassed yet beneath the public persona was a gentle soul. He leaves behind a wealth of shared memories – good times, hard times and the thrill of creating timeless music together. RIP Doc.” – Rick Brewster

“I’ve found myself thinking back to the wonderful days of the Moonshine Jug and String Band when we first met Doc, the residencies at the Modbury Hotel, Adelaide Rowing Club, the Finsbury, all the great gigs that that zany, crazy band performed at, the parties at Doc’s rented house in Glenunga, SA. We had so much fun back then.

Somehow that band turned into The Angels, i.e. Doc, Rick, Charlie King and me and we went out on the road, literally, in my old 1964 EH Holden station wagon. The endless highway playing every night of the week, mostly in dives, learning how to do it by live performance and writing better and better songs. Eventually the band, including Buzz Bidstrup and Chris Bailey, hit it big in 1978 and Doc became one of the great frontmen of all time, a dynamic, demonic, artistic and imposing performer who would give it his all night after night, totally spent at the end of each show.

There was a deep, sensitive and gentle side to Doc. In this sad time of his passing I’ll remember him for that and the good times we had together, now and forever more.” – John Brewster

“Alberts today has not only lost one of its greatest and most loved creative innovators, but also a true friend. Even within the last few months, Doc was in the building sharing his infectious passion with all at Alberts. Long after Doc is laid to rest, his distinctive sound and contribution to the local and international music industry will resonate for generations to come.” – David Albert

The Angels’ bass player Chris Bailey passed away in 2013 of throat cancer, he was 62.