Noiseworks and Farnham guitarist Stuart Fraser loses cancer battle

Australian guitarist Stuart Fraser has died after a three year battle with lung cancer.

He was best known for his role in Noiseworks and the John Farnham’s band.

Musicians who knew him by his nickname Chet have paid tribute.

Ross Wilson recalled how he would “marvel at [Fraser’s] seemingly effortless, inspirational guitar playing.”

Drummer Jackie Barnes posted, “You always greeted me with a smile and a hug. It was an honour to share the stage with you.”

Troy Cassar-Daley called him, “one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet or play music with.”

Fraser was in his mid-teens when he joined Blackfeather in 1976.

That later became Feather, after which time he plugged in with The Cyril B. Bunter Band and Swanee, the band formed by Feather singer John Swan.

In 1986, he and singer Jon Stevens formed Noiseworks, which with an epic stadium sound and strong collection of songs, became one of the biggest live acts.

Signed to Sony, they had a number of hit albums. Love Versus Money from 1991 and hits as ‘Take Me Back’, ‘Touch’ and ‘Hot Chilli Woman’.

When the band split in 1992, he joined The Party Boys and then The John Farnham Band.

He left the latter act last year after he was diagnosed.

At a fundraiser for Fraser, called Playing It Forward, his daughter Liv joined Noiseworks on stage on guitar.

A fourth Noiseworks album was made but shelved when Fraser began treatment at Olivia Newton-John’s Cancer and Wellness Centre

There had been discussions about the band going back on the road this summer.

However, Stevens told the Newcastle Herald, “At the end of the day with Stuart, he’s the main guitarist, so you can’t go out without Stuart.”