Australian Rock Legends Mourn the Passing of Andy Bickers

The Australian music community is mourning the loss of Andy Bickers, the longtime saxophonist whose powerful performances helped shape Cold Chisel’s live sound for more than three decades. He was 56. Cold Chisel announced Bickers’ death on Friday, sharing that he passed away following a battle with cancer.

“Our much-loved sax player of more than 30 years, Andy Bickers, passed away this morning after a hard-fought battle with cancer,” the band wrote in a statement shared on Instagram. Calling him “our brother,” the group remembered Bickers as “an incredible musician” whose unforgettable performances on songs including “Rising Sun,” “Saturday Night” and “My Baby” became an integral part of the band’s live shows. “Our hearts break for his wife Lisa and his son Rudy,” the statement continued.

Frontman Jimmy Barnes, who first worked with Bickers before he joined Cold Chisel’s touring lineup, also paid tribute. “We were friends not only because he was a great player, but he was funny, intelligent and, most importantly, he was a good man,” Barnes wrote. “Lots of love to Lisa and Rudy. You will be sadly missed, Andy.”

Fellow Australian music icon Iva Davies of ICEHOUSE reflected on performing alongside Bickers just weeks before his passing. “Andy was a consummate musician,” Davies wrote, praising the many artists he collaborated with throughout his career and the musicians he inspired and mentored. “He will be truly missed by all of us.”

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Bickers built a remarkable career after relocating to Australia, where he became one of the country’s most sought-after touring and session musicians. Beyond his decades with Cold Chisel, he performed with artists including Midnight Oil, Silverchair, the Eagles, Don Henley, Diesel, You Am I, Hoodoo Gurus, and many others.

Midnight Oil also honored Bickers on social media, noting that one of his final performances came at the 2026 APRA Awards, where he led the brass section during a tribute to drummer Rob Hirst.