Cold Chisel saxophonist Andy Bickers dies of cancer

Andy Bickers, the New Zealand-born saxophonist whose playing defined the live sound of Australian rock band Cold Chisel for more than three decades, died on Friday, July 10, 2026, after a battle with cancer. He was 56.

Cold Chisel confirmed his death in a statement posted to social media that morning. The band described him as a brother and an incredible musician. His valuable contribution onstage to songs like "Rising Sun," "Saturday Night" and "My Baby" will be sorely missed, the statement read. The band also expressed condolences to his wife, Lisa, and his son, Rudy.

Born in Wellington, Bickers spent the 1980s working in the local rock scene before relocating to Australia, first to Melbourne and then Sydney. His breakthrough came when he joined the touring band of Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes, which led to his long-term role with the band itself. By the early 2000s, he had become a fixture in Cold Chisel's live lineup, performing with them for over 30 years.

His career extended far beyond his work with Cold Chisel. Bickers toured with a who's who of Australian and international rock, including Midnight Oil, Silverchair, the Eagles, Don Henley, Diesel, and ICEHOUSE. He...