Midnight Oil bassist and vocalist Bones Hillman, whose real name was Wayne Stevens, has died at the age of 62 after a battle with cancer.
The New Zealander joined the Australian band, who often sing about causes such as racial injustice and climate change, after being poached from a Kiwi band in the mid-80s.
A statement from Midnight Oil on Instagram said: "We're grieving the loss of our brother Bones Hillman, who has passed away at his home in Milwaukee today after a cancer battle,"
"He was the bassist with the beautiful voice, the band member with the wicked sense of humour, and our brilliant musical comrade."
"We will deeply miss our dear friend and companion and we send our sincerest sympathies to [his wife] Denise, who has been a tower of strength for him," the band added.
After Midnight Oil broke up in 2002, Hillman returned to New Zealand before moving to the United States with his family. He participated in the band’s reunion tour in 2017.
In August, Midnight Oil returned with Gadigal Land, their first single in 18 years.
The band also won a Human Rights Award for their music and released a new album, The Makarrata Project, last month.
