Gary "Angry" Anderson, the frontman of Australian hard rock band ROSE TATTOO, has died at the age of 79. The announcement follows a heart attack he suffered during the band's farewell tour in Europe. Anderson was hospitalized in Australia after returning from the tour and was unable to recover from the cardiac arrest. A representative stated that he passed away on the eve of Monday, 21 September 2026, surrounded by family in Australia. The band and family are requesting privacy and will not be giving interviews. They ask that fans respect their need to grieve and acknowledge the profound impact Anderson had on music and his community.

ROSE TATTOO had nine shows remaining on its "One Last Ride" tour at the time of Anderson's hospitalization, with the tour set to conclude on August 21 in Busdorf, Germany. The band was scheduled to play additional farewell shows in Australia in September, including performances in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane. The band has released eight studio albums, including "Rose Tattoo" (1978), "Assault & Battery" (1981), "Scarred For Life" (1982), "Southern Stars" (1984), "Beats From A Single Drum" (1986), "Pain" (2002), "Blood Brothers" (2007), and "Outlaws" (2020).

Anderson was a central figure in the band since its formation in 1976, embodying its identity as a barroom blues-based rock act. He is remembered for his powerful vocals that captured themes of bars, fights, love, and loss. ROSE TATTOO has seen the loss of six former members in recent years, including Dallas Royall (1991), Peter Wells (2006), Ian Rilen (2006), Mick Cocks (2009), Lobby Loyde (2007), and Neil Smith (2013).

GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash paid tribute to Anderson, stating he was a good friend and expressing condolences to his family and bandmates.