It is with deep sadness and regret that the family of Angels singer/songwriter Bernard 'Doc' Neeson - loving father, family member and friend to so many - announce he has passed away in his sleep at 7.15am, today, 4th June 2014.
He has battled with a brain tumour for the last 17 months and sadly lost his fight this morning. He will be deeply missed by his family and partner Annie Souter who would all like to thank everyone for their support through this dark time.
"We love you Dad. You couldn't have made any of your sons more proud of you if you tried. May your beautiful soul rest in peace sweet angel, fly high." Dzintra, Daniel, Aidan and Kieran.
"Good Night, Sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." With love forever, Annie - borrowed from William Shakespeare - Hamlet
From: News.com.au
DOC Neeson, the lead singer of Australian rockers The Angels, has died of brain cancer.
He was 67.
The singer behind hits such as Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again? was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January 2013.
Neeson underwent surgery to remove the tumour but he confirmed it had returned in April this year, confirming it might be “life threatening”.
“The news is grim, but some people can get through this, and that’s the way I try to think about things,” he told the ABC’s Australian Story.
“So I’m looking forward optimistically to the future.”
Neeson said his initial reaction to the tumour had been: “shock of course”. “When somebody puts a use by date on me, but I still hung on to a shred of hope that I’d get back on the stage at some point.”
Powerhouse stage presence ... Doc Neeson of The Angels on tour. Source: News Limited
In March this year he released his first single in seven years, Walking in the Rain, after perfomring the song to critical acclaim on the SBS TV show Rockwiz.
Neeson was born in Belfast and moved with his family to Adelaide when he was 13.
The Angels started life in Adelaide as The Moonshine Jug and String Band in the early 1970s.
They went on to become the Keystone Angels.
In 1975, they became simply The Angels and a year later they released their breakthrough single Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.
Their other hits included Take a Long Line, Marseilles, Shadow Boxer, No Secrets, and a cover version of the Eric Burdon hit We Gotta Get Out Of This Place.
Neeson’s final gig with the bad was in New Year’s Eve in 1999.
