Subject: Rose Tattoo's Mick Cocks passes away

Rose Tattoo's Mick Cocks passes away

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 » 08:01pm



Mick Cocks is the fourth member of rock band Rose Tattoo to die from cancer since 2006.

Describing him as a 'true Australian rocker', Rose Tattoo manager Stephen White said on Tuesday night that Cocks' death was 'devastating'.

The performer passed away in a Sydney hospital after losing his battle with liver cancer.

It follows the deaths of fellow band members Ian Rilen and Pete Wells in 2006 and Lobby Loyde in 2007.

'It is devastating. You know, what can you say though?' Mr White told Fairfax Radio Network.

'Mick got ill about a year ago and it was looking pretty good for a while but he got very ill.'

A fan posting on the Rose Tattoo official website said the musician was a legend.

'Mick is one of the legends of Australian music. He's still too young to be leaving us,' the fan wrote.

The band announced in April that Cocks had developed liver cancer, saying it made the announcement to prevent speculation about his illness.

The statement said Cocks, a smoker, was in good spirits after the diagnosis and was being treated by the 'very best' doctors in Sydney, adding that he was 'ready for a fight'.

Cocks, along with frontman Gary 'Angry' Anderson, was a founding member of Rose Tattoo.

The band went on to enjoy significant international success with its brand of slide-guitar driven rock.

Heavily tattooed and never backwards in coming forwards, Rose Tattoo toured extensively and often attracted controversial publicity, including after releasing the single 'Realise Legalise', campaigning for the legalisation of marijuana.

The band is also well known for its hits; 'We Can't Be Beaten', 'Scarred for Life', 'Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw' and 'Bad Boy for Love.

Cocks left the band after three years in 1979 and went on to create his own solo projects, including his Doomfoxx rock band.

Rose Tattoo meanwhile underwent further personnel changes and continued to tour for over 20 years with varying degrees of success, including regularly opening gigs for Guns N' Roses.

A brief statement on the band's website confirmed Cocks' death on Tuesday night.

'We're very sad to announce that Rose Tattoo founding member and guitarist Mick Cocks lost his battle against liver cancer and passed away today, on December 22th,' the statement read.

It comes just months after some of Australia's best-loved rockers joined forces to put on a benefit gig for the stricken performer.

Rose Tattoo, Jimmy Barnes, You Am I, Ian Moss and The Screaming Jets played at the Enmore Theatre in July to raise money for Cocks.

Fairfax Radio Network reported that Cocks died surrounded by his family.

http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Entertainment/2009/12/23/Rose_Tattoos_Mick_Cocks_passes_away_409659.html