Billy Thorpe RIP 2007

Thorpe passes away at 60

Rock Legend Billy Thorpe has died after suffering a massive heart attack, aged sixty. He died at St Vincents Hospital with his family by his side.

"He woke at 1am feeling terrible. Shortly after that he had a massive heart attack, the paramedics were called to the house, they worked very hard in hospital," Thorpe's manager Michael Chugg told the Nine Network.

A memorial concert is being planned. Tributes poured in for the quintessential Australian rock and roller.

He was a passionate supporter of Australian music and was enjoying a revival after starring in the ABC series "A long way to the top."

As David Mark writes: "With his band The Aztecs, Thorpe defined the hard, four-to-the-bar boogie that characterised Australian pub rock."