Greg Quill Dies

Greg Quill, roots musician and music journalist in his native Australia and Canada, died May 5 in Hamilton, Ontario, aged 66. His family cited complications from pneumonia.

In the early 1970s, Quill was part of Australia’s new country rock movement. His band Country Radio had a series of hits including the iconic “Gypsy Queen” in 1972. After the release of acclaimed solo album The Outlaw’s Answer, a response to the Eagles’ Desperado, Quill moved to Canada.

He edited Music Express and Graffiti, and in the early 1980s became longtime entertainment and arts critic for the Toronto Sun. He also fronted the Toronto country rock band Southern Cross with members of Australia’s The Dingoes and The Flying Circus.

Quill continued to work with Country Radio’s Kerryn Tolhurst, who wrote Pat Benatar’s All Fired Up and Little River Band’s Man In The Middle.

Tolhurst recalled his generosity of spirit. “He encouraged me to start writing songs, he made it seem like a honourable pursuit.” The pair performed as a duo behind 2001’s So Rudely Interrupted, following it up with 2006 DVD/CD project Delightful Rain celebrating Australian surf culture.