Andy Bickers, the saxophonist who spent more than three decades performing with legendary Australian rock band Cold Chisel, has died after a battle with cancer. The band announced Bickers’ death on Friday and offered their condolences; they described the musician as an integral part of their journey and a beloved member of their extended family.Cold Chisel shared the news on social media, paying tribute to Bickers’ significant contributions. “Our much-loved saxophonist of over 30 years, Andy Bickers, passed away this morning after a tough battle with cancer,” the Instagram post read. The band continued with an emotional reflection on their relationship with the musician. “Andy was our brother – an amazing musician and a great person to hang out with on the road or in the city. His valuable onstage contribution to songs such as Rising Sun, Saturday Night and My Baby will be sorely missed. Our hearts are broken for his wife Lisa and son Rudy,” the band concluded.
tributes of fellow musicians and collaborators
Frontman Jimmy Barnes also shared a heartfelt tribute reflecting on the decades they spent touring together and the depth of their friendship. “Andy also toured a lot with me, playing soul and rock shows. We were friends not only because he was a great player, but he was funny, smart, and most importantly, a good man. Much love to Lisa and Rudy. You will be sadly missed, Andy,” Barnes wrote.Peter Garrett, the lead singer of Midnight Oil, another band with whom Bickers had collaborated extensively, also offered a farewell. “Vale loved Oils saxophonist and so many other artists, Andy Bickers, who left us today after a long illness. Our thoughts are with his wife Lisa and son Rudy,” Garrett wrote. He highlighted one of Bickers’ final performances. “One of Andy’s last gigs was leading the brass section at the climax of this tribute to Rob Hirst at the 2026 APRA Awards, where he played with his trademark power and passion,” the post concluded.
Saxophonist Andy Bickers became a key part of Cold Chisel’s live performances, contributing to some of the band’s most iconic songs. Image credit (Instagram).
The journey and musical career of Andy Bickers
according to i was likeoriginally from Wellington, New Zealand, Bickers developed his passion for Australian music while at university after seeing footage of an iconic tour. The musician moved first to Melbourne and then to Sydney, where he worked extensively on the live music circuit. His breakthrough came when he received an invitation to join a touring band, an opportunity that eventually led him to join Cold Chisel, where he remained a core member for over three decades.Beyond his work with Cold Chisel, Bickers established himself as an in-demand touring and session musician performing alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry. His collaborations included work with Midnight Oil, Silverchair, The Eagles, Don Henley, Diesel, Powderfinger, You Am I, Pete Murray and Vika and Linda, demonstrating his versatility and respected position within the wider music community.Bickers is survived by his wife Lisa and son Rudy, to whom tributes have been directed from his musical colleagues.