Dunedin, New Zealand (CelebrityAccess) – Martin Phillipps, founding member, lead singer and mainstay of New Zealand rock band The Chills, has died. He is 61 years old.
The band shared Phillips’ passing on social media, saying he died unexpectedly. USA Today reported that he died of natural causes but had suffered “serious health issues” in recent years.
Phillipps founded Chills in 1980, forming the band with his sister and keyboardist Rachel Phillips, guitarist Peter Gutteridge, bassist Jane Dodd and drummer Alan Haig.
After several false starts and lineup changes, the band released their debut LP, Brave Words, in 1987, but did not achieve their first major chart success until 1990’s Submarine Bells, The album reached number one in New Zealand.
Despite their chart success, the band continued to break up and reform in the 1990s, with Phillips remaining one of the band’s few regulars.
Along with The Chills, Phillips has also performed with bands such as Pop Art Toasters, Clean and the Heavy Augusts.
Phillips was the focus of the 2019 documentary Chill: The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillips.
According to a statement from The Chills, Phillips’ funeral will be held in Dunedin on August 2, followed by a private cremation. The funeral will be broadcast live and details will be announced in the coming days.
