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Legendary Australian musician Bruce Howe, who was the bassist for Aussie 70s rock band Fraternity alongside AC/DC star Bon Scott and Jimmy Barnes, has died aged 77 following a long cancer battle.
Howe passed away on Wednesday in his hometown of Adelaide.
Barnes confirmed the heartbreaking news in a social media post.
‘My dear friend Bruce Howe has passed away after a battle with cancer. Bruce was the first person I rang when I went solo,’ he wrote.
‘He played bass with my band and helped guide me through the early years of my career. He will be sadly missed. RIP, you were the most ferocious bass player I’ve ever heard.’
Fraternity’s all-star line up included Howe on bass, Scott on vocals and his long-time friend Barnes as the replacement singer after Scott joined AC/DC.
Legendary Australian musician Bruce Howe has died aged 77 following a long cancer battle. Pictured onstage with Jimmy Barnes (left)
He had two number one singles in Australia in 1971 with Fraternity – Seasons of Change and If You Got It.
Howe remained active in the industry after Fraternity broke up in 1975, and performed with Barnes on many of his best known songs, including the iconic hook of Working Class Man, No Second Prize and Daylight.
In 2022, Howe spoke on the ABC’s Australian Story about his experiences as a rock star and working with Scott, who died in 1980.
‘The only thing that mattered to him was getting up there and being a successful front man… We all knew this wasn’t going to end well,’ Howe said.
‘But he was a wonderful bloke and I loved him heaps.’
On Thursday, Barnes said Howe was one of the ‘most influential’ people in his life and credited him with helping to jump-start his career.
‘Bruce was a hard taskmaster. He used to hit me in the back of the head with his bass if I sang flat. He was full on, tough and demanding but he encouraged me to drag out more of myself,’ he told Adelaide Now.
Howe was the bassist for Aussie rock band Fraternity in the early ’70s, which was led by former AC/ DC singer Bon Scott. Pictured with Scott (left)
Howe retired from the music industry several years ago due to ongoing health issues
‘I can’t thank Bruce enough for working with me after I left Cold Chisel. He was the one musician I needed around me at that crucial time in my life.’
Music promoter Victor Marshall also paid tribute to Howe, who he said helped change the Australian musical landscape.
‘He played a crucial role in guiding some of the nation’s most renowned rock front men, including Bon and Jimmy, as well as a multitude of other artists,’ Marshall began.
‘We take immense pride in Bruce’s achievements in music and his steadfast dedication to those he cherished.’
Howe retired from the music industry several years ago due to ongoing health issues.
The rockstar married the love of his life Anne in the early ’70s and had one son with her. She tragically passed away in 2023.
He is survived by his son JJ and grandchildren Jasmin and Jack.
