Rock legend Angry Anderson suffers a cardiac arrest

Updated August 31, 2026 — 3:28pm,first published 3:05pmAustralian rock legend Angry Anderson has suffered a cardiac arrest, according to a statement shared by his bandmates on Monday.The musician, who recently turned 79, is one of Australia’s most influential rock stars. He founded the band Rose Tattoo in 1976 and has served as its lead vocalist since.Angry Anderson of Rose Tattoo on stage in Victoria in 2025.WireImage“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,” the members of Anderson’s band Rose Tattoo wrote on Instagram.“On behalf of Angry and his family, we would like to sincerely thank everyone for the overwhelming messages of support, love and kind words.”Anderson’s solo single Suddenly, released in 1987, became a huge success after it was played during the wedding between Scott and Charlene (played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue) on the TV soap Neighbours. The track shot to No. 2 on the Australian charts at the time, and number three on the UK Singles Chart.The band cancelled the European leg of its One Last Ride tour this month after Anderson was hospitalised. It was set to be the band’s final tour before stepping away after more than five decades of performing live.“Angry Anderson is currently in hospital due to a medical issue,” the band said on its website on August 10.“We are absolutely devastated that we cannot continue this tour and share these remaining shows with you ... We kindly ask everyone to respect Angry’s and his family’s privacy at this time.”The band had begun its European tour in July, and had nine more shows to go before announcing the cancellation.Rose Tattoo are scheduled to return to Australia in September to perform several farewell gigs across Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane.More to comeNell Geraets is a Culture reporter at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners