Legendary rocker Chrissy Amphlett dies
Legendary Aussie rocker Chrissy Amphlett has died, aged 53 after a long battle with cancer.
Amphlett passed away overnight in New York, where she lived with her husband, surrounded by family and friends.
Although there is no official cause of death, Amphlett had battled multiple sclerosis for almost 15 years, and had suffered from breast cancer in 2010.
Her cousin Patricia `Little Pattie' Thompson described the singer as a true pioneer for women in music.
"Chrissy's light burns so very brightly," Thompson said in a statement.
"Hers was a life of passion and creativity; she always lived it to the fullest.
"With her force of character and vocal strength she paved the way for strong, sexy, outspoken women.
"Best remembered as the lead singer of the ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, Divinyls, last month she was named one of Australia's top ten singers of all time.
"Chrissy expressed hope that her worldwide hit `I Touch Myself' would remind women to perform annual breast examinations.
"Chrissy was a true pioneer and a treasure to all whose lives her music and spirit touched."
Amphlett shot to fame as the lead singer of the Divinyls, whose hits, including I Touch Myself and Pleasure and Pain, topped Aussie charts in the 1980s, and lead to worldwide fame.
In 2006, the Divinyls were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, alongside Australian icons Icehouse and Daddy Cool.
Amphlett pursued a solo career following the Divinyls’ break-up in 1997, appearing on Aussie soap and on stage in The Boy From Oz, during which time she first noticed symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Speaking to Sunday Night, she said the disease took years to reveal itsits full effects on her body.
“It wasn't until about 2005,” she said. “I was walking along the street, I was walking along 19th Street. It was very hot and I couldn't walk. All of a sudden my body shut down and I couldn't - I had a lot of trouble putting one leg in front of the other."
Amphlett battled the disease for 15 years, but finally had some relief from a revolutionary cure, which gave her her life back.
“I have got my motivation back. I don't have the fritzed, nervous feeling running through my body,” she said.
“I am now walking eight blocks whereas before, I was walking one block. But I just am really starting to feel like I can look into the future again and have a life and I can possibly have a job.”
Soon after the treatment in April last year, Amphlett was able to take to the stage again with Cold Chisel.
At the same time, Amphlett also revealed she had been treated for breast cancer, but was thought to be free of the disease as of 2011.
Tributes have been pouring in from fellow musicians and members of the Australian music industry on Twitter.
"RIP my dear friend Chrissie love you and will miss you," tweeted Jimmy Barnes.
