Doc Neeson, lead singer of The Angeles, passed away at the age of 67 after losing his fight to brain cancer.
A comment on Neeson’s confirmed Facebook page announced “He has battled with a brain tumor for the last 17 months and sadly lost his fight this morning.” Though his battle with cancer had been on going, Neeson only announced last month that he was suffering from a brain tumor. As sad as the news is, it seems Neeson was in good spirits up until the day he passed. The singer, during an interview with ABC had said, “The news is grim, but some people can get through this, and that’s the way I try to think about things.”
The late singer was born in Ireland in 1947, but moved to Australia with his family at the age of 13. He and old band members John and Rick Brewster created The Angels in 1976 when they released their first single: “Am I Ever Going to See Your Face Again”. He left the band in 1999 and formed his new band, Red Phoenix, with David Lowy, Peter Northcote, Jim Hilburn and Fab Omodel shortly after.
The outpour of support and condolences have consumed social media. Neeson’s children, Dzintra, Daniel, Aidan, Kieran and wife Annie, posted their grief on his facebook page. His children posted, “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.” Peter Garrett, frontman of Midnight Oil, remembered Neeson for his big heart, and Jets bassist, Paul Woseen, remembered Neeson as “quiet but friendly.”
Condolences go out to those who are grieving after hearing the news of Neeson’s passing. It is always sad to hear when a good person dies too early. Take solace in the fact that Neeson no longer has to suffer and has now gone on to play a great gig in the sky.
Photo: Deb Martin
