Australian country music star Melinda Schneider also shared her heartbreak over Lees’ passing, which came just two weeks before he was scheduled to go on tour with her.
“I am in absolute shock that we have lost one of the most beautiful humans on the planet,” she began in a lengthy Facebook tribute. “Ian Lees was in my band for over 20 years, he was the most gorgeous, funny, talented, empathetic, wise man.
“We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve managed difficult situations together (and there are many challenging ones on the road) and he always carried himself with grace and the most disarming sense of humour, which always lightened the mood. Sooo many laughs, so many memories.”
Schneider added that she feels “completely devastated” for the loss, especially for Lees’ “beautiful girls, [wife] Meny, [daughters] Erin and Melody”.
“I can’t believe I will never again hear you say; ‘Mel, it’s what ya focus on!’ I will miss playing with you on stage, so much Ian … but we will meet again one day. RIP beautiful man.”
A GoFundMe page has since been set up by Schneider, in which she revealed Lees’ wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two months ago.
“The Australian music world and his family and friends are mourning deeply today with the news of Ian’s unexpected passing yesterday, due to a major heart attack, which nobody saw coming,” Schneider wrote.
“On top of this momentous loss, Ian’s wife Meny was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer in September and is currently undergoing chemotherapy and is unable to work during the treatment, which will last for the next 12 months.
Lees’ wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just two months ago. Photo / Facebook
“I can’t even comprehend the devastation and stress that Meny and Erin are under right now, but I just know that some financial support will go a long way to alleviate some of the worries, so that Meny can put all of her focus on getting well and recovering.”
Lees was integral to the success of Moving Pictures during his two stints with the band from 1978 to 1987, and then again from 2011.
After the band’s 1981 debut album Days of Innocence reached No 1 in Australia, they cracked the US Billboard charts two years later with their single What About Me reaching No 29 in 1983.
Shannon Noll released a cover of the powerful ballad in 2004 as his debut single after placing runner-up on Australian Idol – and it reached No 1 in Australia.
Lees – who recorded three albums with Moving Pictures – also featured on the band’s hit Never, which appeared on the soundtrack of the popular 1984 US movie Footloose.
And Lees’ music was also featured in the 2007 US movie Hot Rod, starring Aussie actor Isla Fisher and Saturday Night Live comedian Andy Samberg.
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