Martin Phillipps, the iconic guitarist and lead singer of the New Zealand rock band The Chills, has passed away at the age of 61. He died at his home in Dunedin, New Zealand, on Sunday, confirmed by The Chills’ manager Scott Muir. Phillipps had been dealing with severe health issues in recent years and died of natural causes. Muir expressed that Phillipps is “loved and missed by us all.”
Martin Phillipps, the frontman of New Zealand band the Chills has ‘died unexpectedly’ https://t.co/pM5QtlalQh pic.twitter.com/SZxkgEy4XQ
— NationalWorld (@NationalWorld) July 29, 2024
The band shared the news of Phillipps’ death in a heartfelt statement on social media, stating, “It is with broken hearts the family and friends of Martin Phillipps wish to advise Martin has died unexpectedly.” The family has asked for privacy during this time.
Phillipps formed The Chills in 1980 alongside his sister Rachel Phillipps and Jane Dodd after being part of the punk rock band The Same. The Chills released their debut album, “Brave Words,” in January 1987 under Flying Nun Records. The band’s second album, “Submarine Bells,” released in 1990, topped the New Zealand Charts and featured the hit song “Heavenly Pop Hit.”
In 1996, Phillipps released a solo album, “Sunburnt,” under the name Martin Phillipps and the Chills. After a 23-year hiatus, The Chills returned with their fourth album, “Silver Bullets,” in 2015, followed by “Snowbound” in 2018 and “Scatterbrain” in 2021, the latter reaching No. 4 in New Zealand.
Very sad to hear that Martin Phillipps of @theChills has died. Here he is at EartH, just over a year ago pic.twitter.com/TNgnSoilV8
— Sue Watson 💚 (@Soooisme) July 29, 2024
Phillipps was also the subject of the 2019 documentary “The Chills: The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps.” The New Zealand rocker recently toured with The Chills on a European tour, performing in countries including Spain, the Netherlands, England, and Ireland.
Key Points:
i. Martin Phillipps, lead singer and guitarist of The Chills, died at 61 in Dunedin, New Zealand, from natural causes after severe health issues.
ii. The Chills announced the news, expressing their heartbreak and requesting privacy for Phillipps’ family.
iii. Phillipps formed The Chills in 1980, achieving success with the albums “Brave Words” and “Submarine Bells,” the latter reaching No. 1 on the New Zealand Charts.
iv. He released a solo album, “Sunburnt,” in 1996, and The Chills made a comeback with albums “Silver Bullets,” “Snowbound,” and “Scatterbrain.”
v. Phillipps was featured in the 2019 documentary “The Chills: The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps,” and recently toured Europe with the band.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
