Australia is mourning the loss of two beloved figures today.
One is a musician whose songs shaped generations, while the other is a sports great who lived life in the fast lane.
Their remarkable legacies, though from different worlds, share one thing in common: an enduring spirit that will never fade from Aussie hearts.
Chris Turner, the guitarist who played with Rose Tattoo and Buffalo, died on Wednesday following a long battle with health issues, leaving behind a six-decade legacy that helped define the raw, uncompromising sound of Australian rock and roll.
Turner's death was confirmed by blues singer Cletis Carr on social media.
His passing goes beyond the loss of a skilled musician—it's the closing of another chapter in Australia's golden age of pub rock, when bands like Rose Tattoo, Cold Chisel, and The Angels carved out a distinctly Australian sound that would influence rock music worldwide.
From London to the land Down Under
Born in London, Turner began his musical journey in 1961 when rock and roll was still finding its feet.
He moved to New Zealand in the late 1960s, touring Auckland and the North Island before permanently settling in Sydney in 1970—a pivotal move for Australian rock history.
Turner arrived just as Australia's rock scene was experiencing a seismic shift, with venues like Sydney's infamous Chequers nightclub becoming launching pads for bands that would go on to conquer the world.
After forming his band Drain and playing Sydney's hard rock clubs, Turner joined iconic outfit Buffalo for their fifth album, touring Australia with Richie Blackmore's Rainbow.
It was a testament to his skill that he could seamlessly move between different bands and musical styles, always bringing his distinctive guitar work to each project.
The Rose Tattoo connection: part of rock royalty
Turner's most significant contribution came through his association with Rose Tattoo, one of Australia's most revered rock bands.
Turner joined as a guitarist in 1977 after founding member Ian Rilen left to form the punk band X.
Though his brief time with the band, Turner became part of a musical legacy that would have a far-reaching impact.
Rose Tattoo were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 2006, cementing their status as Australian rock royalty.
Did you know?
Rose Tattoo's raw, blues-driven sound became a significant influence on the international rock scene. Guns N' Roses not only covered their song 'Nice Boys' but cited them as a favourite band. The group's influence extended to bands like L.A. Guns, Keel, and Nashville Pussy, proving that Australian pub rock could compete on the world stage.
A mentor's heart: nurturing the next generation
Beyond performing, Turner demonstrated a deep commitment to passing on his knowledge.
His establishment of The College of Contemporary Guitar in Sydney showed his dedication to nurturing young talent.
Hundreds of musicians passed through Turner's band as it relentlessly toured Australia, creating a network of players who learned their craft under his guidance.
Turner's career coincided with what many consider the golden age of Australian rock. Along with AC/DC and The Angels, Rose Tattoo helped establish an Australian rock sound in the 1970s.
Listen to Rose Tattoo's 'We Can't Be Beaten' here:
Source: nzoz1982/YouTube
The cost of rock and roll
Turner's passing adds to a heartbreaking pattern that has plagued Rose Tattoo over the decades.
By 2010, five former members had died of various cancers. This tragic toll serves as a stark reminder of the era these musicians lived through.
Yet, even in his final years, Turner refused to let health issues silence his music.
According to one of Turner's friends, Cletis Carr, Turner remained 'upbeat and optimistic about being back in the studio, mixing tracks for a new release' just days before his death.
A lasting influence on Australian music
To honour Turner's legacy, he was featured on the double CD 25 Years of Big Rock.
The compilation was 'a good example of how much Australian talent has been overlooked or rejected by the music industry at large'.
The album included several Australian acts that achieved international recognition, and dozens of talented musicians who helped create and sustain the local music scene.
His later work with The Blues Pirates, The Cave Men, and collaborations with various artists demonstrated a musician who never stopped evolving and continually contributed to the rich tapestry of Australian music.
Turner is survived by his three children—Jesse, Billy, and Tilly—and a musical legacy that spans six decades.
Meanwhile, Supercars Hall of Famer Garry Rogers has passed away overnight at 80.
Rogers was far more than just another team owner, he spotted raw talent in teenage tearaways and turned them into household names.
Rogers was behind the debuts of many of the sport's biggest stars, including Garth Tander, Jamie Whincup, and Scott McLaughlin.
'A titan of the industry that knew how to have fun while being as hard as nails.'
The man who gave champions a boost
If it wasn't for Garry Rogers, Scott McLaughlin wouldn't be where he is today.
'He gave me and so many others a shot to make it, good or bad,' McLaughlin, a triple Supercars champion, put it.
McLaughlin, along with countless other drivers, mechanics, and engineers owe their careers to Garry, who gave them a chance and taught them how to go racing, with no airs or graces.
Current Supercars racer James Golding, who made his debut with GRM, summed up Rogers' impact.
'You gave me the opportunity to make a career in motorsport, you mentored me and taught me that life is meant to be fun.
Your attitude is something I will always look up to and try to replicate every day. Without you, I would not be where or who I am today,' Golding added.
From weekend warrior to motorsport mogul
Rogers' journey began in 1963 when he started racing Appendix J Holdens, before moving on to Sports Sedans during the late 1960s and 1970s.
As a driver himself, he made 14 Bathurst 1000 starts between 1978 and 1993.
Yet, Rogers was always thinking about the bigger picture. He owned a Nissan dealership in Melbourne, which provided the financial foundation for his racing ambitions.
Over time, Rogers combined driving and car dealerships before focusing on running the team from the mid-1990s onwards.
In 1996, his team entered the Australian Touring Car Championship with an ex-Gibson Motorsport Commodore.
Garry Rogers Motorsport achievements
- Over 60 years in the motorsport industry
- Bathurst 1000 victory: 2000 (Tander/Bargwanna)
- Bathurst 24 Hour victories: 2002 and 2003
- Supercars competition: 1996-2019
- 14 personal Bathurst 1000 starts as driver (1978-1993)
That unforgettable 2000 triumph
Garry Rogers Motorsport's greatest day came in 2000, when Tander and Jason Bargwanna combined to deliver one of Mount Panorama's biggest upsets.
The victory came in trying conditions, with the underdog GRM team stunning the established powerhouses.
Rogers told V8 Sleuth in 2020 that their 2002 Bathurst 24 Hour victory was a clear standout in his motorsport career.
The team actually won both Bathurst 24 Hour races held in 2002 and 2003, showcasing their versatility beyond just Supercars competition.
The loveable larrikin
What set Rogers apart wasn't just his eye for talent. Rogers and his team were renowned for finding and fostering young talent, adored for his quirky personality and relentlessly positive attitude.
'A true character of our sport—the likes of whom we'll never see again. Someone who achieved so much both in motorsport and beyond,' Will Davison stated.
Rogers' philosophy was simple: 'You mentored me and taught me that life is meant to be fun. Your attitude is something I will always look up to', as one driver put it.
He proved you could be successful in motorsport while maintaining your sense of humour and humanity.
Farewell to a true original
As his team posted after his passing, 'His mantra was always to press on and get on with things, and that's exactly what we will be doing.
'Garry was an amazing man with a deep love for his family, his horses and his motorsport'.
Rogers is survived by his wife, Kaye and his children Barry, Michelle and Krissie.
More than that, he leaves behind a blueprint for how to succeed in racing while keeping your feet on the ground and your sense of humour intact.
Our thoughts are with Chris Turner and Garry Rogers' families and loved ones. May they both rest in peace.
Seniors Discount Club
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Condolences to his loved ones ones 