Vale Ian Lees of Moving Pictures
APRA AMCOS is deeply saddened by the passing of Ian Lees, the beloved bassist for 80s chart-toppers Moving Pictures, who died suddenly on Sunday following a heart attack.
Ian joined APRA in 1981, and played bass for Moving Pictures from 1978-87 and again since 2011. The band's 1981 debut album Days of Innocence reached No. 1 in Australia, featuring the chart hit "What About Me?" (#1 Australia, #29 US Billboard), which had a resurgence with Shannon Noll's Australian Idol cover. Ian had a writing credit on the album's "Streetheart".
Ian's playing is also heard on Moving Pictures' "Never", which featured on the original Footloose soundtrack.
He was a steady presence for bands including Kevin Borich Express, James Blundell Band, Mal Eastick Band, and for more than two decades, the Melinda Schneider Band.
Schneider paid tribute to Lees, "I am in absolute shock that we have lost one of the most beautiful humans on the planet. Ian Lees was in my band for over 20 years, he was the most gorgeous, funny, talented, empathetic, wise man...he always carried himself with grace and the most disarming sense of humour, which always lightened the mood."
Melinda also shared details for a GoFundMe to support Lees' family, as his wife undergoes cancer treatment.
Our condolences go out to Ian's family, friends and fans.
