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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteSkyhooks guitarist Bob “Bongo” Starkie admitted himself to hospital on 24 January 2025 after health concerns; the band announced that blood tests had revealed aggressive leukaemia. ABC News later identified it as acute myeloid leukaemia. Starkie reported that the disease was in remission in March, but he died aged 73 on 29 November 2025 after a year-long fight with leukaemia.
What happened when Bob Starkie went to hospital?
On Friday, 24 January 2025, Starkie signed himself into hospital with health concerns, according to Skyhooks’ official archive. The band said blood work had shown aggressive leukaemia and announced the cancellation of upcoming “Bob Starkie Skyhook Shows,” including two sold-out Rock the Harbour performances scheduled for 15 February in Sydney.
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“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,” Starkie said in the band’s announcement.
The initial notice described the illness as “aggressive Leukemia.” ABC News subsequently identified his diagnosis as acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
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Was Bob Starkie’s leukaemia in remission?
In a health update reported by Noise11 on 14 March 2025, after six weeks of treatment, Starkie said he was leaving hospital and that his leukaemia was in remission. “I’m heading home from hospital! 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 also said he needed time to rebuild his strength.
That was a report of his condition at that point in March, not a lasting indication of his health. In May, he thanked staff at Geelong hospital, his family and people who had contributed to a fundraiser, and said rehabilitation was next and he hoped to perform live again. The hope was a plan, not a confirmed return to the stage.
When did Bob “Bongo” Starkie die?
Starkie died on 29 November 2025, aged 73, after a year-long fight with leukaemia. Skyhooks’ archivist Peter Green said Starkie had fought in the hope of getting back on the road to perform more shows. In a family statement reported by ABC News, his daughter Indiana said he died peacefully, listening to Chuck Berry, with friends and family around him.
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His illness had also forced the cancellation of planned performances marking the 50th anniversary of Skyhooks’ album Ego Is Not A Dirty Word, The Guardian reported later in 2025.
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Who was Bob Starkie in Skyhooks?
Starkie joined Skyhooks in August 1973, replacing his older brother Peter on guitar; he was not an original member. He and Red Symons shared lead-guitar duties on the Australian band’s best-known songs, among them “Living in the 70s,” “Ego Is Not a Dirty Word,” “Horror Movie” and “Jukebox in Siberia.”
APRA AMCOS reported in 2025 that Skyhooks’ Living in the 70’s sold 250,000 copies. After the band broke up in 1980, Starkie took over The Club, a Melbourne venue in Collingwood, and established a studio where James Reyne first recorded “Reckless.”
Quick Recap
Sources
- Skyhooks official news archive
- ABC News: Bob “Bongo” Starkie’s death and career
- Noise11: Starkie’s March 2025 hospital update
- Noise11: Starkie’s May 2025 thank-you and rehabilitation plans
- The Guardian: Starkie’s death and cancelled anniversary performances
- APRA AMCOS: Skyhooks and Living in the 70’s
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