Martin Phillipps, the founder of the New Zealand rock band The Chills, has died at the age of 61.
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The announcement of his death was made on Sunday, July 28, 2024, through the band’s social media channels.
The statement revealed that Phillipps passed away unexpectedly and requested privacy for the family, with details about the funeral to be shared later.
Phillipps established The Chills in 1980 with his sister Rachel Phillipps on keyboards, Jane Dodd on bass, Peter Gutteridge on guitar, and Alan Haig on drums.
The band quickly gained a loyal following in New Zealand and later developed a cult following in Europe and the US. They are known for hits like “Pink Frost,” “Heavenly Pop Hit,” “I Love My Leather Jacket,” and “Kaleidoscope World.”
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Their 1990 album Submarine Bells received critical acclaim, with Melody Maker calling it “a magical experience.” However, the band’s success waned in the later 1990s, and their US label folded.
Phillipps struggled with drug addiction, alcoholism, and hepatitis C during this period. In a 2014 interview, he shared his challenges with hepatitis C, which had progressed to stage four, nearing liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Despite these difficulties, The Chills made a comeback with Silver Bullets in 2015, their first studio album in 19 years. This was followed by Snow Bound in 2018 and Scatterbrain in 2021.
A 2019 documentary, The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps, highlighted his personal and professional struggles.
The remaining members of The Chills are Callum Hampton, Todd Knudson, Erica Scally, and Oli Wilson. The band’s website honors Phillipps for his dedication to creating distinctive, melodic rock music from New Zealand.
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