7 days ago
Australia mourns loss of Blue Heelers star and music legend Bobby Bright after his passing at age 80
Bobby Bright, half of the beloved 1960s beat-pop duo 'Bobby & Laurie' and a notable actor on the hit TV series Blue Heelers, has passed away at the age of 80 after battling lung cancer for three years.
It marks the end of a remarkable journey that spanned music, television, and live performance.
Bright was born Robert Harry Bright on February 3, 1945, in Watford, England and migrated with his mother to Adelaide around 1954, starting an early career as a solo singer throughout the 1960s.
In 1964, destiny brought him together with Laurie Allen in Melbourne, and together they formed one of Australia's most memorable pop duos.
Their fame rise began with the smash hit 'I Belong with You', which reached No. 1 on the Melbourne charts and later cracked the national top 10.
Their follow-up cover 'Hitch Hiker' also claimed the No. 1 spot, solidifying their place in the Australian music history.
While the dynamic duo officially parted in 1967, they reunited briefly and continued to perform occasionally until their final concert back in 2002, shortly before Laurie Allen's death.
Meanwhile, Bright's career extended beyond music.
He appeared on Australian TV most notably in Homicide and served as a DJ at Melbourne's 3XY radio station.
In the early 1990s, he also took a vital role as Eddie Nelson in an episode of Blue Heelers.
His film credits include a cameo in Queen of the Damned (2002), showcasing his versatility as an actor.
In later years, Bright remained active in Melbourne's live entertainment scene and released an autobiography titled Child of Rock and Roll.
Bobby Bright's passing marks the end of an era for Australian entertainment after spending five decades in both music and film.
