Cold Chisel drummer Steve Prestwich dies

17 January 2011

by Nathan Jolly

Cold Chisel drummer Steve Prestwich died over the weekend of a brain tumour.

Prestwich drummed for Cold Chisel from their formation in 1973, when they performed under the name Orange. He wrote the Cold Chisel classics When The War Is Over and Forever Now, and co-wrote Flame Trees, among others.

He was also a member of The Little River Band, and released two solo albums.

Two weeks ago, Cold Chisel co-manager John O'Donnell told TMN Cold Chisel had been recording and were "in the right frame of mind to make music." He also mentioned plans to do some more Cold Chisel shows in 2011.

Music writer and researcher Glenn A Baker had the following to say about the loss: 

"Apart from being a fine fellow - animated, entertaining, accommodating and good-natured - Steve Prestwich was impressively multi-talented. 

"In a true 'song band' where every member wrote hits, his contribution to the Cold Chisel canon was formidable, with a brace of true classics that will live long after him. Rendered by such stellar voices as Jimmy Barnes' and John Farnham, they simply soared. It is a substantial loss, to be sure." 

Prestwich passed away on Sunday at 3:30pm. He was 56.