News : Doc Neeson Passes Away At Age 67

Doc Neeson

For many fans of the Australian rock scene, Bernard Patrick “Doc” Neeson is someone who needs no introduction. The former frontman of influential ’70s rock band The Angels has today lost his battle with brain cancer at the age of 67. This is a tragic loss for many, and on behalf on Metal Obsession, I send my love to Doc’s family and friends.

For a great many people, Doc Neeson, much like the late Bon Scott (AC/DC), personified Australian rock music. He was a man whose mere presence alone onstage was a thing to be seen to be believed. Crowds fed off him, embraced his style – a style that was solely his own – and played off his theatrical mannerisms; a trademark born of Doc’s theatre background.

Having begun their career initially as the Moonshine Jug & String Band with Brewster brothers John and Rick, the lineup soon evolved into the Keystone Angels and later The Angels we all know and love. Across his career, Doc played alongside such legends as David Bowie, Chuck Berry, Cheap Trick, Meat Loaf, and The Kinks. He also starred in the rock opera ‘Paris’, performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and starred in the musical ‘Bad Boy Johnny’. In 1999, Doc was involved in a serious car accident that led to him being unable to perform live for many years. He did, however, bravely perform at the ‘Tour of Duty’ concert with INTERFET Troops in Dili, East Timor shortly after; a tour created and orchestrated by Doc. Alongside the likes of Australian music royalty such as John Farnham and Kylie Minogue, Doc performed a number of classic Angels tracks. The special performance ended up attracting a TV audience of 3.4 million. It was after this that Doc’s spinal surgeon warned him that any further live shows with Doc’s famous gusto and onstage antics could cause potential lasting damage. As a result, Doc was forced to leave the live scene.

Albeit, Doc was still fairly active throughout the early 2000’s going on to perform an encore ‘Tour of Duty’ show at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, forming Doc Neeson’s Angels following his departure from the original The Angels band in 1999, and, among a series of other achievements, even reformed the original lineup in 2008. However, on January 10 2013, it was a discovered a malignant tumor had been found on Doc’s brain. Doc was then admitted to hospital and underwent immediate treatment. He’d spent the past year in intensive chemotherapy. Sadly, it today all came to a head.

The Angels’ official website issued this statement earlier today from Doc’s family:

It is with deep sadness and regret that the family of Angels singer/songwriter Bernard ‘Doc’ Neeson – loving father, family member and friend to so many – announce he has passed away in his sleep at 7.15am, today, 4th June 2014.

He has battled with a brain tumour for the last 17 months and sadly lost his fight this morning. He will be deeply missed by his family and partner Annie Souter who would all like to thank everyone for their support through this dark time.

“We love you Dad. You couldn’t have made any of your sons more proud of you if you tried. May your beautiful soul rest in peace sweet angel, fly high.” Dzintra, Daniel, Aidan and Kieran.

“Good Night, Sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” With love forever, Annie – borrowed from William Shakespeare – Hamlet

Rick and John Brewster made tribute to Doc shortly after, reminiscing of the good times and the impact he had on them, both as a performer, valued member of the band, and a friend:

“Doc stood out as one of a kind, a totally unique performer. His feverish stage presence was unsurpassed yet beneath the public persona was a gentle soul.

He leaves behind a wealth of shared memories. Good times, hard times and the thrill of creating timeless music together.”

RIP Doc – Rick Brewster

“I’ve found myself thinking back to the wonderful days of the Moonshine Jug and String Band when we first met Doc, the residencies at the Modbury Hotel, Adelaide Rowing Club, the Finsbury, all the great gigs that that zany, crazy band performed at, the parties at Doc’s rented house in Glenunga, SA. We had so much fun back then.

Somehow that band turned into The Angels, i.e. Doc, Rick, Charlie King and me and we went out on the road, literally, in my old 1964 EH Holden station wagon. The endless highway playing every night of the week, mostly in dives, learning how to do it by live performance and writing better and better songs.

Eventually the band, including Buzz Bidstrup and Chris Bailey, hit it big in 1978 and Doc became one of the great frontmen of all time, a dynamic, demonic, artistic and imposing performer who would give it his all night after night, totally spent at the end of each show.
There was a deep, sensitive and gentle side to Doc. In this sad time of his passing I’ll remember him for that and the good times we had together, now and forever more.”

– John Brewster

Like my father who grew up listening to The Angels, it was much the same for me. Introduced to them by him in my formative years, I grew up listening to these guys as well, and there are few Australian bands that could attest to having achieved what The Angels have done for Australian rock music as a whole. Even Axl Rose of Guns ‘N’ Roses once admitted to being a big fan of The Angels. And a large part of the bands appeal and what made them striking, dynamic and memorable was down to Doc Neeson. It was sad news to hear of his passing, and like Bon Scott who tragically passed before him in 1980, Neeson will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace, Doc.

Bernard Patrick “Doc” Neeson

4 January 1947 – 4 June 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLZl6vgT7HM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ornVQqmShpA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LdZAK2Rfkg

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