Chrissy Amphlett dead at 53

Former Divinyls singer Chrissy Amphlett has died in New York after a long battle with cancer.

Amphlett, 53, lived in New York with her husband, former Divinyls drummer Charley Drayton.

Hers was a life of passion and creativity; she always lived it to the fullest. 

She revealed in 2010 that she had breast cancer, and she had also battled multiple sclerosis.

The Geelong-born Amphlett, the cousin of the 1960s pop icon ''Little Pattie'' Thompson, rose to fame as the feisty lead singer of the Divinyls, who formed in 1980.

Famous for Amphlett's sexy schoolgirl outfit, torn fishnets and wild on-stage antics, the Divinyls had their first hits, Boys in Town and Only Lonely, after appearing in the 1982 film Monkey Grip.

They had four Top 10 albums in Australia and one in the US. Their biggest-selling single, I Touch Myself, in 1991, was a No.1 hit in Australia, and made the Top 10 in the US and Britain.

The band was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006, and, after a tour in 2007, split up.

Speaking to Fairfax in 2010, Amphlett said while her initial diagnosis had "thrown her for six", she was determined to continue recording.

"I'll get over it - I've got songs to sing, I've got stages to perform on. I'm a keep-on-going sort of girl,'' she said.

Because of her MS, Amphlett had said she was unable to receive radiation treatment for the cancer.

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''It's shit and it's unfair, but life is not fair - even rock stars get breast cancer. But there've been many girls before me who have dealt with it successfully. It's easy to feel sorry for me but I feel sorry for people who are suffering it alone,'' she said.

Thompson offered the following statement on behalf of the family:
 
"Our beloved Chrissy peacefully made her transition this morning.

"Christine Joy Amphlett succumbed to the effects of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, diseases she vigorously fought with exceptional bravery and dignity. 

"She passed gently, in her sleep, surrounded by close friends and family, including husband of 14 years, musician Charley Drayton, her sister, Leigh, nephew, Matt, and cousin Patricia Thompson (“Little Pattie”).

"Chrissy’s light burns so very brightly.

“Hers was a life of passion and creativity; she always lived it to the fullest.

“With her force of character and vocal strength she paved the way for strong, sexy, outspoken women.

“Best remembered as the lead singer of the ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, Divinyls, last month she was named one of Australia’s top ten singers of all time.

“Chrissy expressed hope that her worldwide hit I Touch Myself would remind women to perform annual breast examinations.

“Chrissy was a true pioneer and a treasure to all whose lives her music and spirit touched.”

Music journalist Glen A Baker told ABC that it was hard to come to terms with the death of someone "so ferociously larger than life".

"Pop music had trained us to expect that women in rock were kind of like accessories - pretty things in short skirts and winsome smiles," he said.

"We didn't really expect to see anyone who came on like a cavewoman. She was such a mighty singer, but she was innately so rock 'n' roll.

"Which is not to say that she wasn't, when you were with her and knew her, a delight.

"She knew what she was doing and she played it like all rock performers would do, with a certain theatricity."

Baker said Amphlett would be remembered as an absolute original.

"She wasn't trying to be anyone else," he said.

"She was an innate, natural rock performer and she'll be remembered for being so brave."

Jimmy Barnes tweeted: "RIP my dear friend Chrissie love you and will miss you."

Minister Of The Arts Tony Burke said: "Terribly sad news about Chrissy Amphlett dying after a long battle with cancer. One of the all time greats of Australian live music."