The band have given the first detailed account of the illness that ended their European tour three weeks ago, with the 79-year-old singer still receiving treatment.
Rose Tattoo have confirmed that frontman Gary “Angry” Anderson suffered a cardiac arrest and is being treated in hospital.
The band had cancelled the remaining dates of their European tour earlier in August, citing only a medical issue affecting the singer. The statement issued on August 31, posted on behalf of Anderson and his family, is the first to say what happened.
The band wrote:
“On behalf of Angry and his family, we would like to sincerely thank everyone for the overwhelming messages of support, love and kind words.”
“Your thoughts, prayers and well wishes mean more to Angry and his family than we can express.”
“We would like to let everyone know that Angry suffered a cardiac arrest and is currently in hospital receiving treatment and the care he needs.”
“At this time, we kindly ask that you please respect the privacy of Angry and his family as they focus on Angry, his treatment, and his recovery.”
“We appreciate everyone’s understanding and ask that you continue to keep Angry and his family in your thoughts and prayers during the days ahead.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the love and support that has already been shown. It is comforting to know just how many people are thinking of Angry and wishing him strength in his recovery.”
“Thank you again for your kindness, understanding, and continued support.”
No further medical details have been released.
The timing is hard on the band. Rose Tattoo had already announced that 2026 would be their last year on the road after more than five decades, and the European run was billed as the “One Last Ride” tour. Nine shows were left when it was called off, with the leg due to finish on August 21 in Busdorf, Germany.
Farewell shows in Australia are scheduled for September, taking in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, and the band were also booked to appear on the Red Hot Summer Tour alongside Suzi Quatro in November. No announcement has been made about whether any of those dates will go ahead.
Rose Tattoo formed in Sydney in 1976 and played their first show that New Year’s. Anderson has fronted them ever since, through repeated lineup changes, breakups and reunions, and his voice is the thread running through a catalogue built on bars, fights, drinking and lost love.
Songs including “Bad Boy For Love“, “Rock ‘N’ Roll Outlaw“, “Nice Boys” and “We Can’t Be Beaten” became fixtures of Australian rock, and the band’s influence reached well beyond home, particularly among the wave of hard rock and metal acts that followed them out of the pub circuit. They were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006.
The band have released eight studio albums: Rose Tattoo (1978), Assault & Battery (1981), Scarred For Life (1982), Southern Stars (1984), Beats From A Single Drum (1986), Pain (2002), Blood Brothers (2007) and Outlaws (2020).
Anderson‘s work outside music brought him a Member of the Order of Australia honour on Australia Day in 1993, awarded for his role as a youth advocate.
Few bands of their standing have buried as many of their own. Four of the lineup that recorded the 1978 debut have died: drummer Dallas “Digger” Royall in 1991, slide guitarist and founder Peter Wells in 2006, bassist Ian Rilen also in 2006, and guitarist Mick Cocks in 2009.
Two more former members have since followed. Lobby Loyde, in the band between October 1979 and September 1980, died in 2007, and Neil Smith, who filled the bass position briefly before Loyde‘s arrival, died in 2013.
