Cold Chisel saxophone player Andy Bickers has died after a battle with cancer, the band announced on X on Friday evening. Bickers, a touring member for more than 30 years, passed away that morning.
Band's Tribute
“Our much-loved sax player of more than 30 years, Andy Bickers, passed away this morning after a hard fought battle with cancer,” the band wrote. “Andy was our brother: an incredible musician and a great person to be out on the road or out on the town with.”
Jimmy Barnes Pays Respects
Bandmate Jimmy Barnes also posted on X to pay tribute, calling Bickers a “good man”. “Andy also toured many times with me, playing soul and rock shows. We were friends not only because he was a great player but he was funny, intelligent, and most importantly, he was a good man,” he wrote. “Lots of love to Lisa and Rudy. You will be sadly missed.”
Career and Background
New Zealander Bickers played in rock bands in Wellington in the late 1980s but found his calling when his flatmate’s parents sent him some Australian music videos. He decided to move to Australia to chase his dream after finishing university. He eventually joined Barnes’ touring band before becoming a part of Cold Chisel. Bickers also toured with Midnight Oil, Silverchair, The Eagles and Don Henley.
Midnight Oil's Tribute
Midnight Oil also paid tribute, writing: “Vale much loved sax player for the Oils and so many other artists - Andy Bickers - who left us today after a long illness.”
