R.I.P - Chris Turner († 22. Oktober 2025) Rhythm Guitar(Rose Tatoo)

Legendary Australian rock musician Chris Turner, who performed with Angry Anderson and Billy Thorpe, died on Wednesday in his late 60s, following a long health battle.

The beloved guitarist's death was confirmed on social media on Thursday by his close friend, popular US blues singer Cletis Carr. 'Still processing the loss of my long-time friend, bandmate, and surrogate "big brother" Chris Turner,' he began.

Cletis added that Turner had been battling health issues for some time, which had significantly impacted his quality of life. 'We lost Chris just a few hours ago, he'd been battling multiple health issues for many years,' Cletis wrote. 'I'd just phoned him last Wednesday, he was frustrated at now being wheelchair-bound, but was upbeat and optimistic about being back in the studio, mixing tracks for a new release.

Turner began playing guitar in 1961 and shared bills with icons such as David Bowie, Steve Marriott and John Mayall. By the late 1960s, he had moved to Auckland, New Zealand, touring the North Island with his bands The Chris Turner Group and The Wranglers, honing his skills as both a musician and band leader.
The London-born performer permanently moved to Sydney in 1970, where he began his incredible career as one of Australia's most beloved rock musicians.

Across his celebrated career he played in many of Australia's most beloved rock bands, including Angry Anderson's group Rose Tattoo and Sydney's Buffalo. He also nurtured younger talent, producing albums and teaching guitar through his Sydney-based The College of Contemporary Guitar. Despite facing multiple major hand operations in the 1990s, Turner refused to slow down.

He continued recording, performing and producing albums, spanning genres from rock to blues, and remained a beloved presence on the live circuit well into the 2010s.

Rose Tattoo - Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw (1978)

Rose Tatoo - Chorus - 09.05.81

Rose Tattoo - Astra Wally [Live]

Rose Tattoo - Assault & Battery

 

Last edited: Oct 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM

A band I played in in the mid-80s did a cover of Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw - always a fun one to play live!

Vale!

 

I knew Chris. He played in Buffalo, and I saw his band quite a few times as they played at a pub down the road from me. He was never really a member of the Tats, although he did play Bass and Guitar with them on tours from time to time. To my knowledge, he never recorded with them.
Definitely didn't play on any of those videos you posted.

Tats back in the day with the OG lineup that recorded the first album at Alberts with Harry & George were one of the greatest bar bands I've ever seen. They looked like they'd rob you, and they sounded tough as fuck, the real deal. Saw them at least 20 times, once with Rilan before him and Steve formed X.

Anyways, I digress. Chris Turner was a gentleman, and I mean that in the literal sense. He was playing in a duo with my singer, and she said he was pretty crook, in and out of the hospital. He was playing up till the end, bless him.

 

Last edited: Oct 24, 2025 at 2:05 PM

SHORTS

Chris Turner - Blue Suede Shoes (live) #shorts
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4MRaaLSjpqI
Chris Turner - Have a Nice Day (explicit) #shorts
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YvTY7M0HNoE