Wayne Duncan of legendary Australian band Daddy Cool, has died, aged 72.
Duncan was a major reason why Daddy Cool was so cool. His death comes nine months after guitarist and fellow Daddy Cool founding member Ross Hannaford died. Duncan suffered a stroke last week. Only days before he was playing live and had upcoming shows booked.
A friend of Wayne Duncan, Craig Horne, released a statement on behalf of the Duncan family.
"It is with deep sadness that I let you know... that our great friend Wayne Duncan passed away in the early hours of this morning," Mr Horne wrote on Facebook on Sunday.
"Wayne was a beautiful guy and, as a master of the now lost art of the walking bass, revered by his bass-player peers," Daddy Cool frontman Ross Wilson said.
Together with Hannaford, Wilson and drummer Gary Young, Duncan propelled Daddy Cool to the top of the Australian charts. The band's debut album Daddy Who? Daddy Cool was released in 1971, including the hits Eagle Rock and Come Back Again.
Daddy Cool formed in 1970 and made an enormous impact before breaking up in August, 1972. As well as climbing the local charts, playing sell-out shows, including a memorable Sunbury appearance, the band also toured overseas.
Daddy Cool briefly reformed in '74 and years later were warmly welcomed back on stage as part of the Melbourne Tsunami Benefit Concert in 2005.
Other Daddy Cool classics with Wayne Duncan's distinctive, laid-back bass lines include Bom Bom and Hi Honey Ho, which remain on high rotation on radio and fan's stereos today.
Daddy Cool was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006 and the original line-up with Duncan played their last show together in 2014 when they were inducted into The Age Music Victoria Hall of Fame.
Duncan leaves behind partner Anne and daughters Catherine and Justine.