10:23 PM PST 1/15/2021
in
Trilby Beresford
He was also known for working with Australian country music group The Buckleys.
Chris Murphy, the Australian businessman who ran the rock band INXS, died. He was 66 years old.
“It is with great sadness that Caroline Murphy and family confirm that Christopher (CM) Mark Murphy, president of the Murphy Petrol Group today passed away peacefully on his beloved Ballina estate, ‘Sugar Beach Ranch’, surrounded by his family,” wrote Murphy Petrol Group in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
Although no cause of death has been provided, the statement noted that Murphy battled mantle cell lymphoma.
“CM has celebrated an illustrious career of over 40 years and has made an incredible impact on the global music and entertainment industry,” continues the statement. “Best known for bringing his ‘group of brothers’ INXS to world stardom, CM Murphy has influenced the lives of many around the world with his endless passion and direction. He will be sorely missed.”
Led by the late Michael Hutchence, INXS was one of the most successful groups to emerge from Australia in the late 1970s and sold approximately 70 million records worldwide during his career.
The surviving members of the band wrote in a tribute to Murphy, “Without Chris’s vision, passion and hard work, INXS’s story would be totally different. Chris’s star shone a lot and we celebrated a life well spent and sent all our love for your family. Garry, Andrew, Tim, Jon and Kirk. “
Murphy was also known for working with Australian country group The Buckleys – formed by brothers Sarah, Lachlan and Molly Buckley – who remembered Murphy’s “strength”.
“Chris has been our guardian angel since the day we met him and he will continue to be for the rest of our lives,” they wrote in a joint tribute. “As with everyone who was so blessed to have met him – the strength, passion, guidance and love that he ignites will last forever. We are very grateful to have walked this land with him, our best friend, greatest champion and mentor. . Your spirit and light will live forever in and around us. “
In addition to his musical activities, Murphy is remembered for his “competitive spirit” and love for agriculture, surfing, rugby, racing pigeons and horse breeding.
He leaves his wife Caroline and children Stevey, Jeri, Jack, Louis and Charlie; and his grandchildren Asher, Samantha, Bella, Axel, Harley and Reuben; his mother Janice and sisters Charne and Tanya.
Instead of flowers, the family asks that the trees be presented as gifts to contribute to a memorial at Murphy’s estate in Ballina, New South Wales.