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Shock as Underground Lovers and Black Cab musician Richard Andrew dies 'suddenly' aged 58 - as friends rally around his widow READ MORE: Colin 'Smiley' Petersen dead at 78: Bee Gees' original drummer dies after being a key figure in the band's early success By STEPHEN BISSET FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 18:00 EST, 19 November 2024 | Updated: 18:13 EST, 19 November 2024 e-mail View comments Respected Australian musician Richard Andrew has died after a short battle with lung cancer , aged 58. Andrew, who was a fixture in the Melbourne music scene in such seminal Australian indie outfits as The Underground Lovers, Crow, and Black Cab, passed away in October, just days after announcing his illness to fans. And now, a GoFundMe campaign, organised on behalf of Andrew's widow Nicolette Powell, is calling on fans and the 'Melbourne music community' to come to Powell's aid in her time of need.
'Tragically, Nicolette's hardships didn't end with Richard's passing,' the GoFundMe campaign reads. 'She was already on carer's leave, caring for her mum, who has a terminal brain tumour and has a very limited life expectancy. 'Now, Nicolette is facing the unimaginable task of grieving her husband while caring for her dying mother.
Nicolette is dedicated to her work in palliative care, yet as you may imagine, in this line of work, returning to work right now simply isn't an option.' Respected Australian musician Richard Andrew has died after a short battle with lung cancer, aged 58. Richard was best known as the drummer in 90s Melbourne outfit Underground Lovers The post went on to explain that aside from facing an uncertain financial future, Nicolette is also currently caring for an elderly dog with arthritis and a heart condition and other animals that were 'a cherished part of life with Richard.
' At the time of publishing, the campaign had reached $11,095 of its $15,000 fundraising goal. Andrew shared a heartbreaking post to Facebook on October 23, informing fans of his illness. The post was accompanied by a photo that showed his recent wedding to Nicolette.
'After my last unsuccessful attempt to jump 17 double decker buses - A) this may go someway towards explaining being in a wheelchair and, B) the fact I'm getting married to the beautiful Nicolette Powell, in this photo,' Andrew began the expansive post. 'Alas, although the marriage is definitely true and based on love, the double decker bus is, sadly, not quite the truth. Instead, a few month ago, I was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic lung cancer, which has been a billy cart ride down s**t street, for the last little while.
' Continuing, Andrew admitted that he was resigned to his fate bidding farewell to everyone who had touched his life. I am completely reconciled to whatever the future is, however, that future is probably quite limited and I'm in the process of preparing to pop this mortal coil and return to the trees, as it were,' he wrote. 'I cannot overstate enough what an honour and a privilege it has been to know you all over the last 58 years, and to have lived the most incredible, incredible life.
' And now, a GoFundMe campaign, organised on behalf of Andrew's widow Nicolette Powell, is calling on fans and the 'Melbourne music community' to come to Powell's aid in her time of need 'Tragically, Nicolette's hardships didn't end with Richard's passing,' the GoFundMe campaign reads. 'She was already on carer's leave, caring for her mum, who has a terminal brain tumour and has a very limited life expectancy. Pictured: Underground Lovers Read More MasterChef star and beloved celebrity chef dead at 64 Tragically, Andrew passed away just over a week later, on October 30, with his Facebook page breaking the news.
'Our beautiful Richard John Andrew died at around 5.25am, this morning,' the post read. 'His death, as he was in life, was epic.
He left this world, face to face with his wife, Nicolette, as she sang their song 'Do you Realise' by The Flaming Lips. 'We are all heartbroken though relieve that our sweet prince is finally free.' The post was met with an outpouring of grief from family, friends and fans, including Andrew's Crow bandmate Peter Fenton who shared a heartfelt tribute.
'Farewell dear friend,' he wrote. 'Fly high between the trees and stars, as you did in life, you magnificent much loved, wickedly funny and adored man. 'Thank you for so many majestic adventures, and the deeply wise lesson you taught us in your graceful and accepting letting go of this world.
' Andrew tragically passed away just over a week after informing fans of his illness via Facebook. Pictured with Andrew is Underground Lovers frontman Vincent Giarrusso 'I'll miss you Rich. I'll miss that wild energy and the genuine love we had for each other We made great music together and we laughed a lot.
,' he wrote The Underground Lovers also paid heartfelt tribute to Andrew on social media. 'Goodbye Rich, you charming beautiful, funny, extraordinary man,' the band's frontman Vincent Giarrusso wrote on Instagram. 'You guided the ship in seas sometimes hazardous and took us places that were mesmerising and out of this world.
'I'll miss you Rich. I'll miss that wild energy and the genuine love we had for each other We made great music together and we laughed a lot.' 'There is so much more I want to say but I'm too hurt.
' Andrew was perhaps best known as the drummer for seminal Melbourne indie rock/electro outfit Underground Lovers, joining the band in 1988, just prior to changing their name from GBVB. During his tenure with the group, which lasted until his departure in 1993, Andrew enjoyed the band's only ARIA award for best new talent in 1992, as well as playing on three of the band's albums. Underground Lovers initially disbanded in 2002, but Andrew took part in their reunion in 2009, and performed on the band's subsequent three albums.
Following his initial departure from the band, Andrew joined Sydney rockers Crow as well as Melbourne electronica outfit Black Cab, Registered Nurse and RJ Andrew. He was also the founder of record label Pharmacy Records. Melbourne Share or comment on this article: Shock as Underground Lovers and Black Cab musician Richard Andrew dies 'suddenly' aged 58 - as friends rally around his widow e-mail Add comment.
