In very sad news, Mental As Anything co-founder, Andrew 'Greedy' Smith has passed away after suffering a heart attack yesterday (1st December), aged 63.
The singer, songwriter and keyboardist was currently on a tour with the Mentals and was the last original member of the live outfit. The group had just played in Tathra on Saturday night and was scheduled to perform in Melbourne on Thursday.
In an official announcement Mental As Anything stated:
“It is with an incredibly heavy heart to announce that one of the founding members of Mental As Anything, Andrew Greedy Smith passed away last night from a heart attack.
Greedy, the only remaining member of the group and was currently on a national tour.
Our grief and confusion at this time are little compared to what Andrew’s family will be feeling – our hearts and prayers go out to them.
Andrew is survived by his son Harvey, fiancée Fiona Docker and brother Stuart.
Funeral details to be confirmed”.
After bursting onto the Australian music scene with their debut album Get Wet in 1979, the Mentals became one of the most popular bands of the Countdown era and enjoyed a string of top 10 Australian hits through the 1980s, including: “If You Leave Me”, “Can I Come Too?”, “Too Many Times” and “Live It Up”. Their debut single, “The Nips Are Getting Bigger” charted inside the Australian top 20.
Mental As Anything | “The Nips Are Getting Bigger”
One of their biggest hits, “Live It Up”, reached No. 2 on the Australian charts and found success overseas, peaking at No. 3 in the UK when it featured on the Crocodile Dundee soundtrack in 1986.
Mental As Anything | “Live It Up”
As well as fronting one of Australia’s favourite pub circuit bands, Smith’s charismatic sense of humour made him a popular television personality, regularly featuring on Hey Hey It’s Saturday and Spicks and Specks.
As news.com reports, Pete O'Doherty, who with brother Reg Mombassa, was a member of the most popular line-up of the Mentals was "devastated" by the news of Smith's sudden death.
"It's really hard to comprehend," he said. "He was the loveliest, nicest man we knew and it's just unbelievable."
Our thoughts go out to Andrew 'Greedy' Smith's family with this very sad and unexpected news.
Listen to Mental As Anything on Spotify:
Listen to Mental As Anything on Apple Music:
