Respected Australian musician Richard Andrew has died at the age of 58 after a short battle with lung cancer.
Andrew, who was a fixture on the Melbourne music scene in seminal Australian indie outfits such as The Underground Lovers, Crow and Black Cab, passed away in October, just days after announcing his illness to fans.
And now, one GoFundMe campaign, organized on behalf of Andrew’s widow Nicolette Powell, is calling on fans and the ‘Melbourne music community’ to come to Powell’s aid in his time of need.
“Tragically, Nicolette’s hardships did not end with Richard’s passing,” the GoFundMe campaign reads.
‘She was already on informal care leave and was caring for her mother, who has a terminal brain tumor and has a very limited life expectancy.
“Now Nicolette faces the unimaginable task of grieving her husband while caring for her dying mother. Nicolette is committed to her work in palliative care, but as you might imagine, returning to work in this field is simply not an option.”
Respected Australian musician Richard Andrew has died aged 58 after a short battle with lung cancer. Richard was best known as the drummer for 1990s Melbourne band Underground Lovers.
The post further explained that in addition to an uncertain financial future, Nicolette is also currently caring for an elderly dog with arthritis and a heart condition and other animals that were “a beloved part of life with Richard.”
At the time of publication, the campaign had reached $11,095 of its $15,000 fundraising goal.
Andrew shared a heartbreaking post on Facebook on October 23, informing fans of his illness.
The message included a photo showing his recent wedding to Nicolette.
“After my last failed attempt to jump over 17 double-decker buses – A) could this explain the fact that I’m in a wheelchair and, B) the fact that in this photo I’m getting married to the beautiful Nicolette Powell,” he began Andrew. extensive post.
“Unfortunately, while marriage is absolutely true and based on love, the double-decker bus is not quite the truth. Instead, a few months ago I was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic lung cancer, a cart ride down the street in recent times.”
Andrew further admitted that he had resigned himself to his fate and said goodbye to everyone who had touched his life.
“I am fully reconciled to whatever the future will be, but that future is probably quite limited and I am preparing to snap this mortal coil and return to the trees, so to speak,” he wrote.
“I cannot emphasize enough what an honor and a privilege it has been to know you for the past 58 years and to have lived the most incredible, incredible lives.”
And now a GoFundMe campaign, organized on behalf of Andrew’s widow Nicolette Powell, is calling on fans and the ‘Melbourne music community’ to come to Powell’s aid in his time of need.
“Tragically, Nicolette’s hardships did not end with Richard’s passing,” the GoFundMe campaign reads. ‘She was already on informal care leave and was caring for her mother, who has a terminal brain tumor and has a very limited life expectancy. In the photo: Underground Lovers
Tragically, Andrew passed away just over a week later on October 30, while his Facebook page broke the news.
“Our beautiful Richard John Andrew passed away this morning around 5:25 am,” the message read.
‘His death, like his life, was epic. He left this world, face to face with his wife Nicolette, as they sang their song ‘Do you Realise’ by The Flaming Lips.
“We are all heartbroken but relieved that our dear prince is finally free.”
The post was met with an outpouring of sadness from family, friends and fans, including Andrew’s Crow bandmate Peter Fenton, who shared a heartfelt tribute.
“Goodbye dear friend,” he wrote.
‘Fly high among the trees and the stars, as you did in your life, you wonderful, beloved, very funny and adored man.
“Thank you for so many majestic adventures and the very wise lesson you taught us in letting go of this world with grace and acceptance.”
Andrew tragically passed away just over a week after informing fans of his illness via Facebook. Pictured with Andrew is Underground Lovers frontman Vincent Giarrusso
‘I will miss you, Rich. I will miss that wild energy and the genuine love we had for each other. We made great music together and laughed a lot,” he wrote
The Underground Lovers also paid heartfelt tribute to Andrew on social media.
“Goodbye Rich, you charming, beautiful, funny, extraordinary man,” the band’s frontman Vincent Giarrusso wrote on Instagram.
“You guided the ship in sometimes dangerous seas and took us to places that were enchanting and out of this world.
‘I will miss you, Rich. I will miss that wild energy and the genuine love we had for each other. We made great music together and we laughed a lot.”
“There’s so much more I want to say, but I’m too hurt.”
Andrew was perhaps best known as the drummer for the pioneering Melbourne indie rock/electro group Underground Lovers. He joined the band in 1988, just before the name changed from GBVB.
During his tenure with the group, which lasted until his departure in 1993, Andrew enjoyed the band’s only ARIA award for Best New Talent in 1992, and also played on three of the band’s albums.
Underground Lovers initially disbanded in 2002, but Andrew took part in their 2009 reunion and performed on the band’s subsequent three albums.
After his initial departure from the band, Andrew joined Sydney rockers Crow and Melbourne electronica outfit Black Cab, Registered Nurse and RJ Andrew.
He was also the founder of record label Pharmacy Records.