Vale Chrissy Amphlett

It seems that whenever a celebrity dies, the word “unique” is bandied about. But in Chrissy Amphlett’s case, it was actually true.

Born in Geelong in 1959, Christine Joy Amphlett became lead singer of Sydney band Divinyls in 1980.

With Divinyls co-founder Mark McEntee, she burst from the Kings Cross pub scene to blast Australia with hit after hit through the ’80s and ’90s.

Amphlett attacked the rock world with an uncompromising, provocative, sexually charged image; her politically incorrect schoolgirl get-up drawing flak from no less than Germaine Greer. But make no mistake: her impact on Australian music went well beyond a gimmick or ‘look’.

Not only did she stand out from other Oz rockers by virtue of being female, but the songs themselves – most of which she co-wrote – were distinctive and brilliant.

And then there was that voice, which The New York Times memorably described as “a rasp, a coo, a sob, a shout or even a yodel”.

The Times’ interest was piqued by the 1991 single ‘I Touch Myself’, Divinyls’ biggest international hit (Australia #1, US #4, UK #10) though not necessarily their best. That honour might go to the 1982 single ‘Science Fiction’ or 1985’s ‘Pleasure and Pain’.

Nor was Divinyls the sum of Amphlett’s career. In 1982, she made her film debut in Monkey Grip. In 1988, she starred in the stage musical Blood Brothers opposite Russell Crowe.

A decade later she became a fully-fledged theatre darling, playing Judy Garland in over 700 performances of The Boy From Oz, the jukebox musical starring Todd McKenney as late singer/songwriter Peter Allen.

News of Amphlett playing Garland initially drew scorn but as the rock icon herself told this journalist: “I think it’s good that my image is so far removed from Judy Garland. Some people are dubious, but that gives me something to surprise them with. Obvious is not always interesting.”

Her point was proven by ecstatic reviews – and when The Boy From Oz returned as an “arena spectacular” in 2006, with Hugh Jackman playing Peter Allen, producers begged Amphlett to reprise her role. Which she did magnificently, despite a private struggle with multiple sclerosis.

The following year, Amphlett publicly revealed her battle with MS.

Her health crisis deepened in 2010 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The MS rendered her unable to tolerate chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and she finally succumbed to her health problems on Sunday at the New York home she shared with her husband, American musician Charley Drayton.

“Chrissy’s light burns so very brightly,” said Drayton in a statement shortly afterwards.

“Hers was a life of passion and creativity; she always lived it to the fullest,” he said, expressing sentiments many here in Sydney will echo. Especially in Kings Cross, where Amphlett lived for years and earned many of her stripes.

Amphlett loved the Cross – and the feeling was mutual, as proven when virtually the entire neighbourhood turned out for a 1990 Divinyls gig in Macleay St.

Chrissy’s Kings Cross hasn’t quite drowned in a sea of boutique wines, organic espresso, spray tans and personal trainers – but when it does, a time machine will always be available for return visits: simply pour yourself a drink, put on a Divinyls song, and soak up that voice.

RIP Chrissy Amphlett.