Cold Chisel Drummer Steve Prestwich dies from brain tumour

Steve Prestwich, drummer for Cold Chisel and at one time Little River Band, has died from a brain tumour at the age of 56.

Steve's brother Simon has confirmed to Undercover that Steve passed away this afternoon (Sunday, January 16, 2011) at around 3.30pm.

Prestwich was born in Liverpool, England but moved to Adelaide, Australia when his family migrated in 1971.

In 1973, he was a founding member of the band Orange, featuring Jimmy Barnes, Ian Moss, Don Walker and Les Kaczmarek. In 1974, they changed their name to Cold Chisel.

In Cold Chisel, Steve Prestwich wrote the now classics 'When The War Is Over' and 'Forever Now' and co-wrote 'Flame Trees' with Don Walker. He also wrote 'Best Kept Lies' from Chisel's classic 'East' album.

After Chisel broke up in 1983, Steve joined Little River Band who also recorded 'When The War Is Over', with John Farnham as lead singer.

He has released two solo albums 'Since You've Been Gone' in 2000 and 'Every Highway' in 2009.

In September 2010, Cold Chisel reformed and performed a brand new Don Walker song 'All For You'. It was the first we were going to hear from what was to be their first album in 13 years later this year.


More from Undercover.com.au