Legendary Aussie rocker Bob Starkie has given an update on his health following his recent cancer diagnosis.
The Australian music industry was shocked to hear, in February, that Bob had been diagnosed with aggressive leukemia.
Taking to Facebook this week Bob, 72, revealed that his prognosis was good.
He shared a photo that showed him standing wth his daughter Indiana and fellow Aussie music legend Wilbur Wilde.
Captioning the happy snap, Bob was pleased to reveal that he is currently in remission.
‘I’m heading home from hospital,’ Bob wrote in the post.
Legendary Aussie rocker Bob Starkie has given an update on his health following his recent cancer diagnosis. Bob (c) is pictured with daughter Indiana and Wilbur Wilde
‘It’s been six weeks and a bit of a wild ride. But my blood counts are good and the Leukemia is in remission. Still a way to go.’
Continuing, Bob was quick to thank his friends, family, and fans for the level of support they had shown him.
‘Thanks for the unbelievable tsunami of well wishes via phone, text and email, and even the odd bunch of flowers. Apologies for not responding to all,’ he said.
‘Still got some work to do to rebuild strength but look forward to seeing you all on the other side.’
Rounding out the post Bob revealed the hilarious gift that Wilbur had given during his visit.
‘My daughter Indiana and Wilbur brightened up last Sunday with a visit, and thanks Willy for the Elvis wig to enhance the new Peter Garret look, but Willy I think I’ll pass out of respect for Elvis,’ he joked
It comes after Bob revealed in February that his spirits were lifted following a visit from Wilbur and his former Hey Hey It’s Saturday bandmate Red Symons.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the trio appeared happy to be together, with Red proudly placing a supportive hand on Bob’s shoulder.
‘It’s been six weeks and a bit of a wild ride. But my blood counts are good and the Leukaemia is in remission. Still a way to go.,’ he revealed in a post to Facebook this week
‘My daughter Indiana and Wilbur brightened up last Sunday with a visit, and thanks Willy for the Elvis wig to enhance the new Peter Garret look, but Willy I think I’ll pass out of respect for Elvis,’ he joked Pictured: Skyhooks
In his caption, Bob said that the visit was exactly the medicine he needed.
‘A couple of heavy hitters gave me a visit on the weekend,’ he wrote.
‘Lifted my spirits no end. A lot of memories, laughs.’
Continuing the post, Bob gave fans an positive update on his condition, admitting that he was currently ‘in great shape.’
‘My diagnosis is Acute Myeloid Leukemia which is an aggressive cancer, however having said that it is curable and I am gonna beat this sucker,’ Bob added.
‘I’m in great shape and all the signs are good. I’ve got a great team around me and they’ve taken the attack on without delay.
‘I’m 5 days into chemo. My constant companion is a drip stand with I.V pumps.’
The guitarist took to Facebook in January to reveal his diagnosis.
It comes after Bob revealed in February that his spirits were lifted following a visit from Wilbur (l) and hiis former Hey Hey It’s Saturday bandmate Red Symons (r)
It came as Bob’s band were celebrating their seminal album, Living in the 70’s, re-entering the ARIA top ten.
‘On Friday, January 24th, members of the iconic Australian band Skyhooks were celebrating the re-issue of their album “Living in the 70’s” entering the Top 10 of the ARIA charts,’ the post read.
‘However, their guitarist, Bob “Bongo” Starkie checked himself into a hospital due to health concerns.
‘Unfortunately, the test results revealed that Bob has been diagnosed with aggressive leukemia.’
The post confirmed the musician has cancelled all upcoming Bob ‘Bongo’ Starkie Skyhook shows, including ‘the two sold-out Sydney ‘Rock the Harbour’ events scheduled for Saturday, February 15.
It also included a statement from Bob who said the diagnosis had come as a shock.
‘This has come as a shock to me and my family. Life has been generous to me up until now, but sometimes you draw the short straw,’ he said.
‘I apologise for any inconvenience; it stresses me to cancel the shows. I’ve been feeling on top of the world with the addition of Sasha in the band, but the situation makes it impossible for the shows to continue at this time.’
‘I’m in great shape and all the signs are good. I’ve got a great team around me and they’ve taken the attack on without delay,’ he said
The post was met with an outpouring of well wishes from friends, fans and followers.
‘We share your shock,’ one fan wrote. ‘We give our positive energy to you. Good luck in the next fight.’
Another chimed in with: ‘If anyone can beat it, you can mate!! All the best wishes. Get well soon my friend.’
Others were quick to tell the musician that apologising for cancelling shows was not necessary.
‘Bit shocked to hear the news Bob, thoughts are with you and your family mate, gigs can wait, stay positive, take care of the Bongo,’ another offered.
‘Take the time to get well.’
Speaking to News Corp, Skyhooks archivist Peter Green said the band’s legion of fans were ‘saddened’.
‘We are all shocked and saddened by this news,’ he told the publication.
‘I’ve known Bob since I was 15 and know what a fighter he is. The band and those close to Bongo stand by him during these tough times.’
The shock diagnosis came as Skyhooks were celebrating their seminal album Living In the 70’s re-entering the ARIA top ten
Never a band that was afraid to court controversy, six of the album’s ten tracks were banned from radio due to questionable lyric content
Skyhooks exploded onto the Aussie pop charts with their seminal 1974 debut album Living In The 70’s.
The band were known for their flamboyant costumes and makeup and their lyrics which often referenced Australian places and culture.
Never a band that was afraid to court controversy, six of the album’s ten tracks were banned from radio due to questionable lyric content.
Despite this, the track You only Like Me Cos I’m Good In Bed was the first song played by your station Double J (later Triple J) when it debuted in January 1975.
The album went on to spend 16 weeks at the top of the Australian charts, becoming the highest-selling album by a home grown act at the time.
In 2011, the iconic album was added to the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia’s Sounds of Australia registry.
The band went on to release four more studio albums, including 1975’s Ego Is Not A Dirty Word and 1976’s Straight in A Gay Gay World.
Bob’s diagnosis comes after his brother Peter, also a member of Skyhooks, died in 2020 after falling off a ladder at his home in Victoria.
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