Arabic version: وفاة عازف الساكسفون في كولد تشيزل آندي بيكرز وتكريم الفرقة

Cold Chisel saxophone player Andy Bickers has died after “a hard fought battle with cancer”, the band announced.

According to ABC News, a post on the band’s official social media said “our much-loved sax player of more than 30 years” died on Friday morning.

The band said: “Andy was our brother: an incredible musician and a great person to be out on the road or out on the town with.” It added, “His valuable contribution onstage to songs like Rising Sun, Saturday Night and My Baby will be sorely missed.” “Our hearts break for his wife Lisa and his son Rudy.”

Jimmy Barnes also paid tribute on social media, writing, “Andy also toured many times with me, playing soul and rock shows.” He added, “We were friends not only because he was a great player but he was funny, intelligent, and most importantly, he was a good man.” “You will be sadly missed, Andy x.”

Bickers played in rock bands in Wellington in the 80s before moving to Melbourne and then Sydney. A call to join Jimmy Barnes’ touring band eventually led to him joining Cold Chisel. Across his career he also toured with acts including Midnight Oil, the Eagles and Silverchair.

Cold Chisel was first founded in Adelaide in 1973. The band’s main line-up included vocalist Jimmy Barnes, guitarist and vocalist Ian Moss, drummer Steve Prestwich, bass player Phil Small and pianist Don Walker. The band has had numerous other members over the years and has featured many touring musicians such as Bickers. The beloved pub rock band has released nine studio albums and toured extensively.