Country Music Community Grieves Legend Ian Lees

Ian Lees, the musician best known as the bassist for the rock band Moving Pictures, passed away on Sunday (23 November) after suffering a heart attack.

The news was confirmed by Moving Pictures singer Alex Smith, who wrote on social media: “Ian David Lees; forever and ever my friend, and just quietly the world’s greatest bass player. I love you mate.”

Lees passed away in his 60s. Throughout his career, he proved to be a key member of Moving Pictures, achieving success with the band from 1978 to 1987 and rejoining in 2011. With their 1981 debut album, Days of Innocence, the band hit #1 on the Australian albums chart.

The group’s hit single, What About Me, reached #1 in Australia and #29 in the US upon its release in 1983. In the early 2000s, the song experienced a second surge in popularity after Australian Idol runner-up Shannon Noll released a version of the track.

Lees notably performed on the Moving Pictures song, Never, which featured on the original Footloose film soundtrack. In addition to his career with Moving Pictures, Lees stretched into Australian country music.

He was a member of the Kevin Borich Express, the James Blundell Band, Chasin’ The Train, the Mal Eastick Band, and, for the last two decades, he was the bassist in the Melinda Schneider Band.

He was set to tour with Schneider next month. Reflecting on her longtime bandmate’s passing, she wrote:

I am in absolute shock that we have lost one of the most beautiful humans on the planet. Ian Lees was in my band for over 25 years, he was the most gorgeous, funny, talented, empathetic, wise man. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve managed difficult situations together (and there are many challenging ones on the road) and he always carried himself with grace and the most disarming sense of humour, which always lightened the mood.”

Sooo many laughs, so many memories. I feel completely devastated by this loss. My heart goes out to his beautiful girls, Meny and Erin at this heartbreaking time. E, I can’t believe I will never again hear you say; ‘Mel, it’s what ya focus on!’ I will miss playing with you on stage, so much Ian…but we will meet again one day. RIP beautiful man xxxxx.

As well as paying tribute to Lees, Schneider has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the bassist’s family. In the description for the fundraiser, Schneider revealed that Lees’ wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just two months ago. You can contribute to the fundraiser here.

Australian country performers such as Kirsty Cox, Matt Fell, and Angus Gill have also paid tribute to Lees.