He brought so much joy to the world as part of the successful Australian music group Men At Work. But Greg Ham’s sudden and suspicious death is causing unfortunate headlines around the world.
The music star was found dead by friends who let themselves into the Canning St property in Melbourne yesterday morning, when he did not answer the door. He was 58.
Det. Senior Sergeant Shane O’Connell said of the death, “There are a number of unexplained aspects to it which has caused our attendance here today, and we’re assisting the local detectives to determine what has occurred.”
His bandmate, Colin Hay has spoken out in disbelief over Ham’s sudden death.
“We played in a band and conquered the world together,” a devastated Hay said. “I love him very much. He’s a beautiful man.” Hay recalled their first meeting and their journey to pop superstardom.
“I met Greg Ham 40 years ago at (comedian) Kim Gyngell’s house in 1972. Last year of high school. He had blond hair, rosy cheeks, ridiculous bright eyes.
“He was sharp. We were friends from then on, we liked each other.”
A local bartender Cathy told the Herald Sun that Ham was a “beautiful man” who would drink tequilas with beer chasers at the Kent Hotel.
“I’m a bit gobsmacked,” she said. “He was a local identity, everyone knew him.
“Greg would have tequilas and beers and sleep on the bar and I’d take him home.
“He was beautiful and we used to have some awesome chats. He was eccentric.”
Men at Work – for which Ham played sax, keyboard and flute – scored such hits as “Who Can It Be Now” and “Down Under.” Last October, the group lost a protracted copyright suit that claimed their riff for “Down Under” came from a familiar local nursery rhyme, “Kookaburra.”
He was said to have been depressed over the legal action
What do you think?