Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie, Guitarist for Australia’s Skyhooks, Dies at 73
Bob “Bongo” Starkie, the legendary guitarist of the iconic Australian rock band Skyhooks, has passed away at the age of 73 after a courageous year-long battle with acute myeloid leukemia. His death was confirmed on the band’s official Facebook page, where Skyhooks archivist Peter Green shared the heartbreaking news that Starkie “passed away early this morning.” Green fondly remembered Starkie as the youngest member of the band, highlighting his embrace of the theatrical elements that became synonymous with Skyhooks, including their flamboyant makeup, extravagant stage outfits, and the irreverent swagger that propelled the band to the forefront of the Australian rock scene in the 1970s. Green emphasized that for Starkie, “the music always came first,” and performing live was his “absolute joy,” reflecting a lifelong passion for music that remained with him until the very end.
Joining Skyhooks in August 1973, Starkie replaced his older brother, Peter Starkie, who had been a key figure in establishing the band’s early lineup before his passing in 2020. Under Starkie’s influence, Skyhooks became a transformative force in Australian music, known for their glam-inspired visual style and provocative lyrics. Their debut album, *Living in the 70’s*, released in 1974, spent an impressive 16 weeks at number one, reshaping the landscape of Australian pop and rock. Notably, their hit song “You Just Like Me ’Cos I’m Good in Bed” made history as the first track ever played on 2JJ (later known as triple j) in January 1975, marking a significant milestone in Australian broadcasting. Starkie’s contributions to the band were profound, and his legacy is underscored by the band’s induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1992, solidifying their status as one of Australia’s most influential rock acts.
In a touching tribute shared on the band’s page, Starkie’s daughter, Indiana, revealed that her father “peacefully departed, listening to Chuck Berry, snuggling with his fur baby Bonnie, surrounded by friends and family.” She expressed the deep love felt by his family, including daughters Indiana and Arabella, grandchildren Phoenix and Lucia, and partner Chrissy, stating, “He felt the love till the very end.” Starkie’s passing marks another tragic chapter in the history of Skyhooks, which had previously lost frontman Graeme “Shirley” Strachan in a helicopter crash in 2001. Despite disbanding in 1980, Skyhooks reunited periodically, with Starkie remaining a dedicated ambassador for the band and its enduring legacy. His remarkable journey through the highs and lows of rock music will be remembered by fans and fellow musicians alike, as Skyhooks continues to influence new generations of artists in Australia and beyond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5D1Bprahv8
Bob “Bongo” Starkie, guitarist for the trailblazing Australian rock band Skyhooks, has died at 73 after a year-long battle with acute myeloid leukemia. His death was confirmed Tuesday on the group’s official Facebook page.
Skyhooks archivist Peter Green announced the news, writing that Starkie “passed away early this morning” after spending the past year undergoing treatment while still hoping to return to the stage. Green remembered him as the youngest member of the band who “embraced the theatrics” that became a signature part of Skyhooks’ identity — from bold makeup and elaborate stage outfits to the irreverent swagger that helped define the group’s rise. “The music always came first,” Green wrote, adding that performing live “was his absolute joy” and that “music was in his blood till the very end.”
Starkie joined Skyhooks in August 1973, replacing his older brother Peter Starkie, who died in 2020 at age 72 following complications from a fall. Peter was one of the musicians who helped establish the early lineup that would go on to dominate Australian rock in the mid-1970s.
In a tribute shared through the
band’s page
, Starkie’s daughter Indiana said her father “peacefully departed, listening to Chuck Berry, snuggling with his fur baby Bonnie, surrounded by friends and family.” She noted that he was deeply loved by daughters Indiana and Arabella, grandchildren Phoenix and Lucia, partner Chrissy, close friend Ian, and son-in-laws Simon and Chris, adding: “He felt the love till the very end.”
Formed in Melbourne in 1973, Skyhooks quickly became one of Australia’s most influential rock acts. Known for their glam-leaning visual style, provocative lyrics and theatrical shows, the band gave Michael Gudinski’s Mushroom Records its first major commercial breakthrough. Their debut album,
Living in the 70’s
, spent 16 weeks at No. 1 in 1975 and reshaped Australia’s pop and rock landscape. Skyhooks also made broadcasting history when their track “You Just Like Me ’Cos I’m Good in Bed” became the first song ever played on 2JJ (later triple j) in January 1975.
The group endured tragedy before: frontman Graeme “Shirley” Strachan died on August 29, 2001, at age 49 in a solo helicopter crash near Mount Archer in Queensland. He was piloting a Bell 47 when turbulence caused the rotor to strike the tail boom, leading to the fatal accident.
Skyhooks disbanded in 1980 but reunited periodically, with Starkie remaining one of the band’s most active ambassadors. In 1992, Skyhooks were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, further defining their status as one of Australia’s defining rock acts.
