Legendary Australian musician for iconic rock band Skyhooks diagnosed with cancer: 'Sometimes you draw the short straw'
Legendary Australian musician Bob 'Bongo' Starkie has been forced to cancel shows after a shock cancer diagnosis.The guitarist for iconic rockers Skyhooks took to Facebook on Sunday to reveal he had been diagnosed with aggressive leukemia.The shock diagnosis came as Bob's band were celebrating their seminal album Living In the 70's re-entering the ARIA top ten.'On Friday, January 24th, members of the iconic Australian band Skyhooks were celebrating the re-issue of their album “Living in the 70’s” entering the Top 10 of the ARIA charts,' the post read.'However, their guitarist, Bob "Bongo" Starkie checked himself into a hospital due to health concerns.'Unfortunately, the test results revealed that Bob has been diagnosed with aggressive leukemia.' Legendary Australian musician Bob 'Bongo' Starkie has been forced to cancel shows after a shock cancer diagnosis The post confirmed the musician has cancelled all upcoming Bob 'Bongo' Starkie Skyhook shows, including 'the two sold-out Sydney “Rock the Harbour” events scheduled for Saturday, February 15.'It also included a statement from Bob who said the diagnosis had come as a shock. 'This has come as a shock to me and my family. Life has been generous to me up until now, but sometimes you draw the short straw,' he said.'I apologise for any inconvenience; it stresses me to cancel the shows. I’ve been feeling on top of the world with the addition of Sasha in the band, but the situation makes it impossible for the shows to continue at this time.'The post was met with an outpouring of well wishes from friends, fans and followers.'We share your shock,' one fan wrote. 'We give our positive energy to you. Good luck in the next fight.'Another chimed in with: 'If anyone can beat it, you can mate!! All the best wishes. Get well soon my friend.'Others were quick to tell the musician that apologising for cancelling shows was not necessary. The guitarist for iconic rockers Skyhooks took to Facebook on Sunday to reveal he had been diagnosed with aggressive leukemia The shock diagnosis came as Bob's band were celebrating their seminal album Living In the 70's re-entering the ARIA top ten Read More I'm A Celebrity host Julia Morris, 56, reveals shock cancer diagnosis 'Bit shocked to hear the news Bob, thoughts are with you and your family mate, gigs can wait, stay positive, take care of the Bongo,' another offered.'Take the time to get well.'Speaking to News Corp, Skyhooks archivist Peter Green said the band's legion of fans were 'saddened'.'We are all shocked and saddened by this news,' he told the publication.'I’ve known Bob since I was 15 and know what a fighter he is. The band and those close to Bongo stand by him during these tough times.'Skyhooks exploded onto the Aussie pop charts with their seminal 1974 debut album Living In The 70's. The band were known for their flamboyant costumes and makeup and their lyrics which often referenced Australian places and culture.Never a band that was afraid to court controversy, six of the album's ten tracks were banned from radio due to questionable lyric content. Skyhooks exploded onto the Aussie pop charts with their seminal 1974 debut album Living In The 70's The band were known for their flamboyant costumes and makeup and their lyrics which often referenced Australian places and cultureDespite this, the track You only Like Me Cos I'm Good In Bed was the first song played by your station Double J (later Triple J) when it debuted in January 1975.The album went on to spend 16 weeks at the top of the Australian charts, becoming the highest-selling album by a home grown act at the time. In 2011, the iconic album was added to the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia's Sounds of Australia registry. The band went on to release four more studio albums, including 1975's Ego Is Not A Dirty Word and 1976's Straight in A Gay Gay World.Bob's diagnosis comes after his brother Peter, also a member of Skyhooks, died in 2020 after falling off a ladder at his home in Victoria.
