Music

Bob “Bongo” Starkie, guitarist for the trailblazing Australian rock band Skyhooks, has died at 73 after a year-long battle with acute myeloid leukemia. His death was confirmed Tuesday on the group’s official Facebook page.

Skyhooks archivist Peter Green announced the news, writing that Starkie “passed away early this morning” after spending the past year undergoing treatment while still hoping to return to the stage. Green remembered him as the youngest member of the band who “embraced the theatrics” that became a signature part of Skyhooks’ identity — from bold makeup and elaborate stage outfits to the irreverent swagger that helped define the group’s rise. “The music always came first,” Green wrote, adding that performing live “was his absolute joy” and that “music was in his blood till the very end.”

Starkie joined Skyhooks in August 1973, replacing his older brother Peter Starkie, who died in 2020 at age 72 following complications from a fall. Peter was one of the musicians who helped establish the early lineup that would go on to dominate Australian rock in the mid-1970s.

In a tribute shared through the band’s page, Starkie’s daughter Indiana said her father “peacefully departed, listening to Chuck Berry, snuggling with his fur baby Bonnie, surrounded by friends and family.” She noted that he was deeply loved by daughters Indiana and Arabella, grandchildren Phoenix and Lucia, partner Chrissy, close friend Ian, and son-in-laws Simon and Chris, adding: “He felt the love till the very end.”

Formed in Melbourne in 1973, Skyhooks quickly became one of Australia’s most influential rock acts. Known for their glam-leaning visual style, provocative lyrics and theatrical shows, the band gave Michael Gudinski’s Mushroom Records its first major commercial breakthrough. Their debut album, Living in the 70’s, spent 16 weeks at No. 1 in 1975 and reshaped Australia’s pop and rock landscape. Skyhooks also made broadcasting history when their track “You Just Like Me ’Cos I’m Good in Bed” became the first song ever played on 2JJ (later triple j) in January 1975.

The group endured tragedy before: frontman Graeme “Shirley” Strachan died on August 29, 2001, at age 49 in a solo helicopter crash near Mount Archer in Queensland. He was piloting a Bell 47 when turbulence caused the rotor to strike the tail boom, leading to the fatal accident.

Skyhooks disbanded in 1980 but reunited periodically, with Starkie remaining one of the band’s most active ambassadors. In 1992, Skyhooks were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, further defining their status as one of Australia’s defining rock acts.