Country
music singer-songwriter Ross Kettle, part of the highly acclaimed Singing
Kettles, died peacefully at his home in outer Sydney on Wednesday, September 12,
shortly before 6pm, surrounded by his loving family.FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2007
Vale – Ross Kettle 24.4.1943 - 12.9.2007
Country
music singer-songwriter Ross Kettle, part of the highly acclaimed Singing
Kettles, died peacefully at his home in outer Sydney on Wednesday, September 12,
shortly before 6pm, surrounded by his loving family.
Born April 24, 1943, in Launceston, Tasmania, Ross, for many years, had bravely battled several different forms of cancer. His initial diagnosis of nose cancer in 1981 was just the start of his long struggle with health problems, but he didn’t let it stop him doing what he loved best performing and writing songs.
Although he enjoyed a
successful solo career, Ross was possibly best known for his role in the band of
brothers the Singing Kettles.
Ross’s older
brother, Bill, became interested in country music at age 12, and took some
guitar lessons from an uncle, with young Ross watching his every move. Naturally
gifted with a unique sibling harmony, Bill and Ross won the 7LA Launceston
Talent Quest in 1952, where announcer Clive Windmill made a tape recording of
their song, and played it each afternoon on air. Later Bill and Ross met Eric
Scott, who became owner-operator of Hadley Records, later to be based in
Tamworth. Eric suggested The Singing Kettles consider recording.
Hadley’s
first output was a Singing Kettles single, “Judy I Miss Holding You”,
released December 1, 1961. Another single followed and in 1963 younger brother
Max joined the team and they released their first EP. This outing featured
“White Silver Sands”, which gained quite a deal of airplay across
Australia’s eastern states.
The
Kettles’ first album release for Hadley was Country
Harmony, and nine Hadley albums were to follow, together with single
releases such as Toy Telephone and a version of Johnny Ashcroft’s big hit,
“Little Boy Lost”. The Kettles based themselves in Tamworth and continued
recording and performing throughout the region and the state. Then in 1969 the
brothers were part of an all-Tasmanian contingent to tour Vietnam, presenting 25
shows in 18 days. Little did Ross know at that time just how much this short
tour of duty would mean to him later in life.
Tragedy
struck the trio in 1971 when Max suffered a fatal asthma attack on January 22.
He was just 21 years old. Soon after this, Bill and Ross left Tamworth and moved
to Sydney, where they continued their act as the original duo. The Kettles
toured extensively on package shows and with their own travelling country
showcase and in 1978 they were inducted into the Hands of Fame in Tamworth. The
brothers’ act disbanded in 1988, with Ross turning his talents to a solo
career and Bill and his fiancée Kathy Thompson, working as a duo. Ross was much
sought after on the Sydney club and pub scene, and stayed in remission from
cancer until December 2002, 
when
it returned to make another assault, attacking his left ear and jaw.
In
2005, the Singing Kettles had an emotional return to Tamworth, where they were
awarded Australian country music’s highest accolade, with their elevation to
the Roll of Renown.
A few months after that highlight, Ross’s health took a downward spiral. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs came to the fore, assisting Ross and wife Marlene with special accommodation to suit Ross’s medical needs and also medical equipment to make his palliative care more comfortable. Ross is survived by his loving wife Marlene, and their children Faron, Deanna and Nellette. He was a treasured grandfather of Michael and Madison and a brother to Bill, Tony and the late Max.
Bellbird
Music online catalogue at The Country Music Store
© 2005-2007 Bellbird Music Pty Ltd 2006 | ABN 13 107 621 278