Chris Bailey, lead singer of The Saints, dies at 65

Chris Bailey, lead singer and co-founder of the Australian rock band The Saints, has died. He was 65.

The band confirmed the news via its official Facebook page this morning, writing, "It is with great pain in our hearts that we have to inform you about the passing of Chris Bailey, singer and songwriter of The Saints, on April the 9th 2022."

"Chris lived a life of poetry and music and stranded on a Saturday night. Family and friends."

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Born in Nanyuki, Kenya in 1957, Bailey was the son of Irish parents. He grew up in Belfast, Ireland before his family emigrated to Australia when he was seven years old. The family lived in the suburb of Inala, in Brisbane, Queensland.

Bailey co-founded the iconic band The Saints in Brisbane in 1973 alongside Ed Kuepper and Ivor Hay, who attended high school together. Their first hit was their classic punk anthem '(I'm) Stranded' in 1976.

Tributes poured in for the legendary singer-songwriter, who paved the way for punk music in Australia.

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Founding member and former drummer of The Cure, Lol Tolhurst, wrote to Twitter: "RIP Chris Bailey of The Saints. (I'm) Stranded was the song of my late teens."

Grammy winner Bob Mehr expressed his condolences, writing, "Damn. R.I.P. to the great Chris Bailey of The Saints. Eternally rest."

See more tributes below: