BONES Hillman, the bassist from Australian rock band Midnight Oil, has died at the age of 62.
The rockstar passed away at his home in Milwaukee after a tragic battle with cancer.
Bones Hillman, the Midnight Oil bassist, has died at the age of 62. Credit: Goff Photos
Hillman was the bassist in the Australian band Midnight Oil. Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Peter Garrett and Bones Hillman of Midnight Oil performing in 2009. Credit: Getty - Contributor
In a statement his bandmates said: "We're grieving the loss of our brother.
"He was the bassist with the beautiful voice, the band member with the wicked sense of humour, and our brilliant musical comrade.
"Bones joined Midnight Oil way back in 1987 after stints in various Kiwi bands, most notably, The Swingers.
"He played and sang on every Midnight Oil recording since Blue Sky Mining and we did thousands of gigs together."
They added: "We will deeply miss our dear friend and companion and we send our sincerest sympathies to (his wife) Denise, who has been a tower of strength for him.
"Haere rā Bonesy from Jim, Martin, Peter & Rob."
ROCKSTAR DEAD
Wayne Stevens - Bones' real name - had been part of the band since replacing Peter Gifford as bass player in 1987.
The rockstar sang on every record since 1990's Blue Sky Mining.
The Australian band went on a hiatus in 2002 - but they regrouped in 2018 for a reunion tour.
Just last year, Bones rejoined his bandmates to record their mini-album The Makarrata Project, which was released just a week before Bones' death.
Actor Russell Crowe paid tribute to the bassist, tweeting: "R.I.P Bones Hillman. What a grand chap he was. Sad sad news."
Music writer Andrew McMillen wrote: "Mourning the death of Midnight Oil's Bones Hillman, who described himself thus: 'I’m a simple musician: all I want to do is play my bass, go on tour with new people, maybe get to sit up front with the driver now and again.'"
Midnight Oil were set to be awarded Sydney Peace Foundation's gold medal for human rights later this month.
The foundation's chair Archie Law praised the band's "commitment to the pursuit of human rights over an extended period … with a powerful, far-reaching impact".
"This medal is in recognition of that relentless focus, and in particular for their environmental activism, their humanity and their drive to promote justice through both their music and their actions," he added.
