DUNEDIN, NZ (CelebrityAccess) — Martin Phillipps, founding member, frontman, and mainstay of the New Zealand rock band The Chills, has died. He was 61.
Phillipps’ passing was shared by the band on social media who stated that he died unexpectedly. USA Today reported that he died of natural causes but has been suffering from “severe health issues” in recent years.
Phillipps launched the Chills in 1980, forming the band with his sister and keyboardist Rachel Phillips, guitarist Peter Gutteridge, bassist Jane Dodd, and drummer Alan Haig.
After several false starts and lineup changes, the group released their debut LP Brave Words in 1987 but didn’t achieve their first major chart success until 1990 with the release of Submarine Bells, which reached number 1 in New Zealand.
Despite their chart success, the band continued to dissolve and reform through the 1990s with Phillipps remaining one of the few constants in the lineup.
Along with The Chills, Phillipps performed with groups such as Pop Art Toasters, Clean and the the Heavy Eights, among others.
Phillipps was the focus of the 2019 documentary “The Chills: The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps.”
According to a statement from The Chills, a funeral service for Phillipps will be held on August 2nd in Dunedin, followed by a private cremation. The funeral will be livestreamed with the details to be announced in the coming days.
