Soul singer Max Merritt, best known in Australia for his 1960s and 1970s hits such as’ Western Union Man ‘and’ Slipping Away », died in a Los Angeles hospital yesterday ( September 24)
The 79-year-old’s health had declined since being diagnosed with Goodpasture syndrome, a rare but serious autoimmune disease that attacks the lungs and kidneys
His Melbourne-based manager Wal Bishop said: “Max has been on dialysis three days a week since he fell ill in 2007
« He really fought and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him »
In October 2007, 20 famous names, including Daryl Braithwaite, John Paul Young, James Reyne and Ross Wilson, joined Merritt with a concert that raised over $ 200,000
He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in July 2008 where he was joined on stage by Kasey Chambers and Bill Chambers to perform « Slipping Away »
Born in Christchurch on April 30, 1941, Merritt moved to Sydney in 1965 where Max Merritt & The Meteors became a huge live draw card
« It was a closed store They were pretty happy with all the variety acts around the clubs
While in Sydney, « We worked at the Rex and probably got around £ 120 per week
« We played about 20 minutes a night and then spent the whole day on the beach – Bondi »
Tragedy struck in June when they were involved in a serious car crash on their way to a concert in the Morwell area
Merritt lost his right eye, while other members of the group also suffered serious injuries that left them with a permanent limp
Although in the early 1970s he moved to London and then Los Angeles where he worked on jingles, he continued to tour regularly in Australia and New Zealand until 2007
Bishop said: « Max hadn’t been able to perform live for the past 13 years, but when he wanted to he would go to the studio to record
« He even shot a video to accompany the songs, it’s a shame he’s not here to see it »
Max Merritt
News from around the world – AU – Australasian soul singer Max Merritt dies at age 79
