Australian music legend Max Merritt, 79, has died in a Los Angeles hospital after being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease.
The musician, of Max Merritt and the Meteors fame, had been battling Goodpasture Syndrome, an auto-immune disease where the body makes antibodies that attack the lungs and kidneys.
His manager and friend Wal Bishop (the pair are pictured together) shared the sad news of Mr Merritt’s death in a statement.
“Max had been on dialysis three days every week since he fell ill back in 2007,” he said.
“He really put up a great fight and will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved him.
“Max had been unable to perform live over the past 13 years but, when he felt up to it, would go into the studio to record.
“He even shot a video to go with the tracks, it’s a shame he won’t be around to see it.”
The NZ-born musician, who eventually made Australia his home after stints in the US and UK, was best known for his 1975 hit ‘Slippin’ Away’ and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2008.
