Robbie Souter, drummer for the Dynamic Hepnotics and at one point Mental As Anything, has died from liver failure at the age of 68.
An official statement announcing Robbie’s passing came through this morning from Sandra King:
“This is Sandra,Rob’s girl.Firstly I want to apologize to all the people who didn’t know that Robbie has been in hospital the last 3 weeks, it has been a difficult time…
Sadly Rob passed away this morning at 7.07, it was peaceful and I was there with him. He had gone downhill very quickly in the last 2 days.
Words cannot express how much l am going to miss this Beautiful Man, I know a lot of you will feel the same way….”
Dynamic Hepnotics formed in Sydney in 1979. At one time radio and TV personality Jonathan Coleman was a member of the band. A few of the songs on the band’s first release, the six-track EP ‘Strange Land’, were produced by Ross Wilson, others by Jonny Topper. They then contributed to the soundtrack of the 1983 film ‘Going Down’ before signing with Mushroom Records.
Dynamic Hepnotics had two hits in Australia. ‘Soul Kind Of Feeling’ reached no 5 in 1984. ‘Gotta Be The Wrong Way To Love’ reached no. 20 in 1985.
‘Soul Kind of Feeling’ was awarded APRA Song of the Year 1986 and achieved the highest airplay for any Australian single that year.
Another song ‘Going Down’ is actually being featured in this years Vivid Festival in Sydney. ‘Hepnobeat’ was released on Statik in the UK and charted in Europe and on the Billboard Dance Charts in New York.
Tributes for Robbie have began flowing from the Australian Music Industry:
Mark Sydow:
Devastating news this morning that Robbie Souter passed away today. A phenomenal talent and dear friend for almost 40 years. R.I.P.
Greedy Smith:
Sensitive drummer
Sensitive thinker
Sensitive carer. I was honoured to play with you, ride with you, eat with you and talk with you.
Brendan Gallagher
So sad to learn today that Robbie Souter got away. Breaks my heart. One of the best human beings I’ve ever known – warm, funny, generous, humble to the point of diffidence, and hugely talented. He was the rhythm divine, his deft and informed touch propelled many a band, several that I was lucky to be a member of. He ALWAYS made me sound better. This pic, after a gig at Port Fairy in March, was the last time I saw him. Just a really beautiful cat. Too sad. Love to Sandra King, Andrew Travers and all, hope I’m home in time for the wake. Rob, I’ll smoke a big cigar for you tonight, maybe drink a Coke too, in a can, never a bottle, of course!
Jon O’Rourke:
Very sad news that the great Robert Souter has passed away. One of life’s true gentlemen, great Drummer who played with Dynamic Hepnotics, Mental As Anything, Slim Dusty and played beautiful drums on this track by Canadian artist Justin Hines. Robbie will be greatly missed.
Dynamic Hepnotics will honour their upcoming shows as a tribute to Robbie.
Dynamic Hepnotics dates
June 17, Sydney, The Factory Theatre
June 23 and 24, Melbourne, Memo Music Hall
