Bruce Howe, who worked with an AC/DC legend Bon Scott, has died aged 77 (Image: Bruce Howe)
Rock icon Bruce Howe has died aged 77 following a battle with cancer.
The Australian musician shot to fame in the 70s as the bassist for rock band Fraternity with Jimmy Barnes and icon Bon Scott. He passed away on Wednesday (January 29) in his hometown of Adelaide.
Barnes, 68, announced the sad news in a statement on social media, writing: “My dear friend Bruce Howe has passed away after a battle with cancer. Bruce was the first person I rang when I went solo. He played bass with my band and helped guide me through the early years of my career.”
The Scottish-born Australian singer added: “He will be sadly missed. RIP, you were the most ferocious bass player I’ve ever heard.”
Fraternity’s line up featured Howe on bass and Scott on vocals before his long-time friend Barnes stepped in as the replacement singer after the latter joined rock band AC/DC.
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Howe performed alongside AC/DC icon Bon Scott in the rock band Fraternity (Image: Facebook/Fraternity)
Howe founded the band with bandmates John Bisset, Mick Jurd and Tony Buettel in 1970 before Scott joined the following year.
Fraternity topped the charts twice in with hit singles Seasons of Change and If You Got It in 1971.
After the band split in 1975, Howe remained active in the industry and performed with Barnes on many of his songs, including Working Class Man, No Second Prize and Daylight. In 2022, Howe spoke about his life as a rock star and working with Scott, who died in 1980.
“The only thing that mattered to him was getting up there and being a successful front man… We all knew this wasn’t going to end well,” he told ABC’s Australian Story. “But he was a wonderful bloke and I loved him heaps.”
On Thursday, Barnes told that Howe was one of the “most influential” people in his life
“Bruce was a hard taskmaster. He used to hit me in the back of the head with his bass if I sang flat. He was full on, tough and demanding but he encouraged me to drag out more of myself,” he told the publication.
“I can’t thank Bruce enough for working with me after I left Cold Chisel. He was the one musician I needed around me at that crucial time in my life.”
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Jimmy Barnes (left) announced news of his friends death (Image: Instagram)
Tributes have begun flooding in for Howe, with music promoter Victor Marshall sharing how the late rock star helped change the Australian musical landscape.
Marshall said: “He played a crucial role in guiding some of the nation’s most renowned rock front men, including Bon and Jimmy, as well as a multitude of other artists.
“Bruce Howe has left a lasting mark on Australian music, having contributed to many iconic tracks that serve as the backdrop to our lives. We take immense pride in Bruce’s achievements in music and his steadfast dedication to those he cherished.”
Marshall added: “In his musical pursuits, Bruce aimed for excellence, and his tireless work ethic drove him and those he worked with to success. We will miss him deeply and continue to celebrate his musical legacy.”
Howe, who lost his wife Anne in 2023, retired from the music industry several years ago as he suffered ongoing health issues. He is survived by his son JJ, and two grandchildren Jack and Jasmin.