Mental As Anything singer Andrew ‘Greedy’ Smith dies, aged 63

5 December 2019, 09:52

Mental As Anything, with Greedy Smith second from right
Mental As Anything, with Greedy Smith second from right. Picture: Getty

Mental As Anything member Andrew 'Greedy' Smith has died aged 63, after having a heart attack in his car.

The band confirmed the artist's death on its Facebook page "with an incredibly heavy heart".

"Our grief and confusion at this time are little compared to what Andrew's family will be feeling," they wrote.

Australian media reported that Smith was moving into a new home with his fiancee Fiona Docker when he became ill. However, attempts to revive him failed.

Smith was the band's singer, songwriter and keyboardist, and they were currently on tour. He was the last original member still performing with the group.

Known as 'The Mentals', they were one of Australia's biggest bands of the 1980s, with hits such as 'Too Many Times', 'If You Leave Me', 'Can I Come Too?' and 'The Nips Are Getting Bigger'.

Mental as Anything Live it up - official video

In the UK, they scored a hit in 1987 when their single 'Live It Up' was featured on the soundtrack to Crocodile Dundee.

Fellow founding member Reg Mombassa said the group was in shock that Smith had died so suddenly.

"We are all totally shocked. He seemed like such a healthy, energetic guy," he said. "He wasn't the kind of guy who partied too hard. He enjoyed a drink when we were younger but he was a very serious performer."

Greedy Smith is survived by his son Harvey, partner Fiona Docker and brother Stuart.

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