Ron S Peno: The legendary frontman of Australian band Died Pretty has passed away after a long battle with cancer

The frontman of one of Australia’s legendary alternative rock bands has passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Ron S Peno, frontman of Sydney rockers Died Pretty, passed away Friday night in South Yarra, Melbourne, after a four-year battle with cancer, his bandmates said.

“In the face of adversity, he was towering,” his bandmates wrote.

Peno was first diagnosed with esophageal cancer four and a half years ago, after leading the band for over four decades.

Online, fans have been clamoring to celebrate the singer they’d spent most of their lives listening to.

Peno led Died Pretty (pictured) for more than 40 years before his bandmates announced his passing on social media

Peno was surrounded by family when he passed away this morning.

“It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our vocalist Ron S Peno, who left us peacefully on Friday evening in the presence of his loving wife Charity and his son Zebadiah,” the band said.

Over the past four and a half years, while battling cancer, Ron has displayed a determined positivity and depth of character that has proved an inspiration to his bandmates, manager and many friends. Despite adversity, he was towering.

“Our hearts go out to Charity, Zebadiah and all his family and friends at this time. Ron will be greatly missed. The world will be a smaller place without him.’

The band celebrated the man he was in the prime of his career.

“During the 40 years that Ron entertained us fronting Died Pretty, he was never less than charismatic,” they wrote.

“He has created warm and lasting memories for those who shared the stage with him and for his audience. For many, he is the soundtrack to their lives.

“He leaves us with a legacy of extraordinary recordings that will be cherished in the future.

Peno’s family thanked the medical team at St. Vincent’s Hospital, the Calvary Bethlehem Palliative Care Team and the Support Act for the care they provided him.

Died Pretty disbanded in 2002 after releasing their last studio album before reuniting in 2016 and touring regularly.

However, following Peno’s cancer diagnosis in 2019, future concerts were canceled so he could seek treatment and battle the disease.

The band was due to tour in October this year, but Peno’s deteriorating condition and drummer Chris Welsh’s cancer diagnosis forced the band to cancel last month.

“Ron’s battle with cancer is ongoing and he has recently started further treatment which will make it impossible for him to perform for the foreseeable future,” the band said at the time.

“Chris was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and his treatment schedule will prevent him from performing for the next few months.

“With both of them unavailable in October, we are forced to accept the cancellation as a necessary measure to ensure their health and comfort.”

The band broke up in 2002 after releasing their last album, but reunited in 2016 and began touring regularly until Peno was diagnosed with cancer in 2019.

Tributes are pouring in for the frontman, who helped create the soundtrack to many people’s lives.

‘Though the stupid cancer finally got a hold of him this week, Ron S. Peno had braved it and more in a music career that spanned more than 40 years of dancing and walking,” wrote music critic Bernard Zuel.

“God bless Ron S. Peno,” Jeff Jenkins, author of 50 Years of Rock in Australia, wrote in a tribute.

“Part Iggy Pop, part Michael Hutchence, part Bowie.”

“I have often lost myself in Ron’s beautiful voice. His LPs with Died Pretty are emotive, evocative widescreen adventures. I love them dearly, a great loss,” wrote Karen Leng, host of Double J Radio.