Gary “Angry” Anderson, the singer who defined the voice of Rose Tattoo for decades, has died at the age of 79.
He passed away on September 21, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones in Australia. His death came after a serious medical episode on Rose Tattoo’s European farewell tour, when he suffered a heart attack. He was hospitalized in Europe, returned to Australia to continue treatment and in the end was unable to recover.
The news was confirmed by the band: “It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Gary “Angry” Anderson on the evening of Monday, September 21, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones here in Australia”. The statement says he was a devoted father and a beloved member to his friends, his fellow travelers and the wider music community, while the family asks that everyone respect its wish to grieve privately.
His death came as Rose Tattoo were preparing to close out their run with a series of farewell shows. On the European “One Last Ride” tour there were nine concerts left when he was hospitalized, while farewell concerts in Australia were scheduled for September, in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane.
Rose Tattoo were formed in Sydney and are considered one of the most distinctive bands in the history of Australian rock, with a sound that kept the dirty, unruly style of the bars and small stages.
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