Chris Murphy, the Australian entrepreneur who managed rock band INXS, has died. He was 66.
“It is with great sadness that Caroline Murphy and family confirm that Christopher (CM) Mark Murphy, Chairman of Murphy Petrol Group, has today passed away peacefully at his beloved Ballina property ‘Sugar Beach Ranch’ surrounded by his family,” Murphy Petrol Group wrote in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
While no cause of death was provided, the statement noted that Murphy battled Mantle Cell lymphoma.
“CM celebrated an illustrious career over 40 years and made an incredible impact on the global music and entertainment industry,” the statement continued. “Best known for taking his ‘band of brothers’ INXS to worldwide stardom, CM Murphy influenced the lives of many around the globe with his endless passion and drive. He will be greatly missed.”
Led by the late Michael Hutchence, INXS was one of the most successful groups to emerge from Australia in the late 1970s and sold approximately 70 million records worldwide during their career.
The surviving band members wrote in a tribute to Murphy, “Without Chris’s vision, passion and hard work, the INXS story would be totally different. Chris’s star burned very bright and we celebrate a life well lived and send all our love to his family. Garry, Andrew, Tim, Jon and Kirk.”
Murphy was also known for working with Australian country group The Buckleys — consisting of siblings Sarah, Lachlan and Molly Buckley — who remembered the “strength” of Murphy.
“Chris has been our guardian angel from the day we met him and he will continue to be for the rest of our lives,” they wrote in a joint tribute. “As with everyone who was so blessed to have known him – the strength, passion, guidance and love he ignites is forever lasting. We are so grateful to have walked this earth with him, our best friend, greatest champion and mentor. His spirit and light will forever live within and around us.”
Aside from his music pursuits, Murphy is remembered for his “competitive spirit” and love of agriculture, surfing, rugby, racing pigeons and horse breeding.
He is survived by wife Caroline and children Stevey, Jeri, Jack, Louis and Charlie; and his grandchildren Asher, Samantha, Bella, Axel, Harley and Reuben; his mother Janice and sisters Charne and Tanya.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that trees are gifted to contribute to a memorial at Murphy’s property in Ballina, New South Wales.
This article originally appeared on The Hollywood Reporter.
