Revered Australian Blues Legend Chris Wilson Passes Away

Beloved Australian artist Chris Wilson has passed away following a battle with pancreatic cancer. 

The Melbourne blues legend, who was diagnosed in July last year, has worked with some fellow big-name local acts throughout his career including Paul Kelly, Hunters & Collectors, Crowded House, Deborah Conway, Russell Morris, Archie Roach and Diesel. 

In 1985, Wilson joined his first band, Harem Scarem, on harmonica and saxophone. He featured on the group's 1988 album, Lo & Behold.

Shortly after, Wilson formed Crown Of Thorns alongside Barry Palmer and Chris Rodgers.Together, they released two studio albums - 1989's Carnival and 1990's Babylon.

At the 1993 ARIA Awards, Wilson was nominated for the Best Male Artist and Best Breakthrough Artist - Album categories on the back of his 1992-released debut solo album, Landlocked. He would go on to record four more studio records, including the latest, Flying Fish, in 2012.

His 1994 live record, Live At The Continental (which also helped Wilson score another Best Male Artist nomination at the 1995 ARIAs), was later turned into the documentary, Chris Wilson Live At The Continental 23 Years On, which was screened last May at the St Kilda Film Festival.

A benefit concert was held in July last year following Wilson's cancer diagnosis, which featured performances from acts like Steve Lucas, Kerri Simpson, Tim Rogers, Finn and George Wilson and Barry Palmer.

A Gofundme page launched after Wilson's diagnosis, with all proceeds to go towards his family, was shut down by Wilson himself after $100,000 was raised in just 48 hours.