Her soulful, husky voice has left its mark on the music industry and she has been inducted into numerous music halls of fame.
Renée Geyer, one of Australia’s finest exponents of jazz, soul and R&B idioms, with a career that has so far spanned over four decades and with twenty-five albums under her belt, has passed away on Tuesday at the age of 69 years old.
Announced today by Mushroom, Geyer passed away in the University Hospital Geelong from complications following hip surgery. While in hospital, it was discovered that Renée also had inoperable lung cancer.
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“It is with immense sadness that we announce that Renée Geyer has passed away from complications following hip surgery. While in hospital, it was discovered that Renée also had inoperable lung cancer. She was in no pain and died peacefully amongst family and friends,” the statement read.
“Naturally, we are all utterly devastated.
“Just last month, Renée sang to a full house and was looking forward to another busy year ahead doing what she loved most – performing for her loyal fans around the country.
Renée is one of the most highly regarded singers in contemporary music – her unique vocal sound influences countless singers to this day.”
Paving the way for so many R&B, Soul and Jazz artists throughout her career, Renée Geyer was irrepressible, cheeky and loyal and her musical legacy speaks for itself, with her performing and recording career spanning five decades. She was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005; in 2013 she was the first woman to be inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame; and she received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Women in Music Awards in 2018.
A powerhouse like no other, Renée lived her life as she performed – on her own terms and to the fullest. Beloved and respected, she was a force of nature and a national treasure, and her passing leaves a giant void in the Australian music industry.
In lieu of flowers, Renée would have preferred donations be made to Support Act as a way of giving back to an industry that loved her so much.
Vale Renée Geyer.
