Country legend Chad Morgan has died at the age of 91 (Image: PA )
Chad Morgan – who was fondly known as ‘The Sheik of Scrubby Creek’ – has sadly died at the age of 91 on .
It is understood the singer passed away at Gin Gin near Bundaberg in Queensland on New Year’s Day, according to . His son Chad Junior confirmed his father’s death to the outlet as tributes flooded in for the nationally loved hitmaker.
Country singer Evelyn Bury – who was a close friend of Chad’s – described the musician as a “beautiful larrikin” in a heartfelt tribute. She added: “There’ll never be another Chad.”
Chad was born in 1933 and was raised in the South Burnett town of Wondai by his loving grandparents. Before he pursued a career in music he worked cutting timber and sugar.
But it didn’t take long before the star was discovered through Australia’s Amature Hour radio programme which catapulted his music career.
He was one of the best-known pioneers in Australian country music (Image: Getty Images)
Chad previously told the ABC: “I went into the air force in ’52 and mates heard me singing and they dared me to go on Amateur Hour and it snowballed from there.”
He started recording with Regal Zonophone and in 1958, he released his debut album The Sheik of Scribby Creek, the title of which harkens to his well-known nickname.
The doting dad had a hugely successful country music career spanning more than 70 years and became one of the best-known pioneers in Australian country music.
He has played all over Australia at almost every venue from pubs to the Sydney Opera House. He was also a regular on Reg Lindsay’s Country and Western Hour and was loved for his cheeky sense of humour.
The national treasure was loved for his cheeky sense of humour and incredible music (Image: Getty)
The Shotgun Wedding hitmaker was best known for his comedic country tracks, including I’m My Own Grandpa, Double Decker Blowflies and There’s Life In The Old Dog Yet.
As well as his incredibly successful career, Chad’s distinctive teeth were also believed to have inspired Barry Humphries iconic character Les Patterson.
Chad boasts platinum and gold album sales and was even inducted into the Tamworth Hands of Fame in 1979. In 2004, he received a Medal of the Order of Australian and he was also recognised with a lifetime achievement award at the 2010 Country Music Association of Australia Awards.
Last year, there was a push to induct Chad into the Australian ARIA Hall of Fame led by Anna Rose, who wrote a biography about his expansive life and careeer.
She told : “I think it’s an absolute tragedy that he’s got to the age of 90 and has not been put into the hall of fame. So many others have.
“And I’m wondering how many of those have a 70-year career that’s been exceptional. And he’s known not just all over Australia but all over the world.”
In his personal life, Chad married fellow singer Pam Mitchell and they went on to welcome three children together – Allan, Chad Jr and Janelle.
After their split, Chad went on to re-marry Joan Morgan when he was in his 50s and the couple lived happily together for more than 30 years until her death in 2017.