Rene Geyer, the ARIA Hall of Fame inductee and singer whose powerful voice was rich in jazz, blues and soul, died Tuesday (January 17) from complications following hip surgery. She was 69 years old.
Born in Melbourne on September 11, 1953, Geyer “lived his life to the fullest, the way he wanted to,” read a statement from his family, published by The Mushroom Group. She has been a friend and supporter of the artist for decades.
She had solo success in Australia with covers of “It’s a Man’s Man’s World,” “Heading in the Right Direction,” and the bouncy ’80s number “Say I Love You,” singing it all the way through and selling out last month. became. , read the statement. Her late artist looked forward to “entering her next busy year doing what she loves most: performing for her loyal fans across the country.”
Geyer first broke out in Sydney in the 70’s with a string of pop, soul and reggae releases. She then relocated to Los Angeles and contributed to recordings by Stevie Wonder, Joe Cocker, Neil Diamond, Bonnie Raitt and Chaka Khan before moving to her native country in the 1990s with the help of Paul Kelly. made a comeback with
The Australian music community remembers Geyer as a force of nature, with a recording career spanning 50 years, and one of the greatest artists the country has produced.
Mushroom Group CEO Matt Gudinski, son of Michael Gudinski, has described Geyer as a “fierce, independent, strong and passionate” trailblazer for women in the music industry. ‘ She is endowed with ‘wicked humor and intelligence.
Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett wrote: He is one of the best voices we have ever had the privilege to hear. “
Annabel Hurd, CEO of Aria and PPCA, commented, “As a female singer with an irresistible voice and personality, Geyer’s influence on Australian music is immense.”
Composer Paul Grabowski has hailed Guyer as “Australia’s own Queen of Soul”.
Guyer is also known for her rebellious nature and for slapping interviewer Molly Meldrum during a live broadcast on ABC. countdown.
In her 2000 autobiography, Confessions of a Grumpy Womanco-authored with music journalist Ed Nimmervoll, Geyer talked about her problems with substance abuse. It sounds like a black man in a black man.”
Geyer’s talent is unique and acclaimed, with 25 albums in her catalog, most recently added to the list with her 2013 album. swing.
She cemented her icon status in 2005 when she was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame alongside Split Enz, Normie Rowe, Smoky Dawson, The Easybeats, Hunters & Collectors and Jimmy Barnes. Then, in 2013, she became the first woman inducted into the Victorian Music Hall of Fame. In 2018, she won her Lifetime Achievement Award at the She’s an Australian Woman She in Music Awards.
On International Women’s Day 2021, Double J celebrated the 50 women who are changing the game in Australian music. Naturally, Guyer was on the list.
Despite her Hall of Fame induction and several nominations, the ARIA Awards have eluded her.
While attending Geelong University Hospital, experts discovered Guyer also had inoperable lung cancer.
“She died peacefully surrounded by family and friends without any pain,” the family statement explained.
Details of her memorial will be announced at a later date. Instead of flowers, the late singer’s family is asking for preferential donations to the Support Act “as a way to give back to her industry for loving her so much.”