Damien “Damo” Lovelock of The Celibate Rifles has officially passed away as of today, the 3rd of August. The musician and sports broadcaster died of cancer, aged 65.
Damien Lovelock, better known as “Damo” was an Australian musician, sports broadcaster and writer.
Since 1980 he fronted aussie hard rock band The Celibate Rifles as their lead singer, and saw the release of nine official studio albums. He also has two solo albums under his belt, It’s a Wig Wig Wig World (1988) and Fishgrass (1991).
Lovelock’s talents didn’t just end there though, as he also worked as a popular sports broadcaster for the SBS show The World Game, and covered football on Sky News Australia.
He was also a yoga instructor in Newport, a student of his once describing him as the “Keith Richards of yoga”. His talents as a teacher were so profound, that he was hired by professional football teams like the Central Coast Mariners, Sydney FC and the NSW State of Origin team.
His knack for teaching yoga began in 1995, when he injured his neck during a park football match and could not alleviate the pain. Lovelock also wrote many books about not only sport and music, but his talents in the cooking world as well.
Listen to The Celibate Rifles’ hit song ‘Johnny’ below:
The Celibate Rifles were known to tour Australia and Europe extensively, spreading across the globe their unique brand of hard rock and power pop infused with punk sensibilities.
Fans and loved ones have gathered across social media to create the hashtag #RIPDamo, to celebrate the life of one of Australian music and sports greatest icons.
https://twitter.com/EricaMcIntyre/status/1157516236084801536?s=20
https://twitter.com/FionaKatauskas/status/1157514332214714368?s=20
Damien Lovelock has passed. Sad. He was a great Australian character. He is whom I stole the saying “I’m emotionally erect” whenever I get excited about something. Thanks Damo. #ripDamo pic.twitter.com/hy08PmQQcM
— Ivan Spyrdz (@IvanSpyrdz) August 3, 2019
Lovelock played with the Celibate Rifles for 39 years and was planning more gigs before his death.
Damien “Damo” Lovelock will be dearly missed, and will always be remembered as a man of many talents who had a place in the hearts of Australians from all walks of life.
Listen to ‘Harpers Bazaar’ by Damien Lovelock below:
