Black Shadow Photography

Yesterday, the Australian music world lost another of its greats, Rose Tattoo guitarist, Mick Cocks when he lost his battle with liver cancer.

Mick Cocks rehearsing with Rose Tattoo in June 2006

Click photo above to see more of Mick.

Cocksy was drafted in as the second guitarist when Rose Tattoo formed in 1976 along with singer Angry Anderson, slide guitarist Pete Wells, bass player Ian Rilen and drummer Dallas “Digger” Royal. Sadly Pete Wells and Ian Rilen both also succumbed to cancer in 2006; the same year Rose Tattoo was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Mick also played in a couple of other fine rock n roll outfits, The Illustrated Men with Pete Wells, Ian Rilen and was a founding member of Doomfoxx, a hard rocking Sydney band who are out for world domination (Mick left Doomfoxx in 2007).

In addition to being a fine guitarist whose trademark riffs helped define the Rose Tattoo sound, Mick was an irrepressible rascal, always quick with a smart quip and keen to share a drink, smoke or laugh with those around him.

Vale Cocksy – gonna miss you mate.