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I was saddened this morning to learn of the death of Australian music legend Billy Thorpe at the age of 60.

Billy was a giant of the Australian music industry. He started his music career as a Brisbane teen idol but will be remembered as one of the towering figures of the Australian hard rock and roll scene.

He earned his greatest success with The Aztecs and shot to national prominence in the 1970s with a string of brash albums and songs and powerful performances at the Sunbury Music Festival.

Billy Thorpe was an accomplished guitarist with an unmistakeable voice. Perhaps, though, his fans will remember him for one thing above all else: the ear-splitting volume of his concerts

He was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Hall of Fame in 1991.

On behalf of Janette and myself and the Australian Government, I extend my deepest sympathies to Billy's family, friends and fans.

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