Chrissy Amphlett of Divinyls dies at young age of 53

Chrissy Amphlett

Rest in Peace

October 25, 1959 to April 21, 2013

Today I got the shocking news that we lost Chrissy Amphlett of the Australian rock band Divinyls to her battle of breast cancer. Chrissy was truly one of the most influential musicians for me when I was growing up from a rebellious teenager into an independent woman. Many people know of the Divinyls from their huge international hit, “I Touch Myself” in the’90s but long before I was already in love with many of their great songs like “Good Die Young”, “Pleasure and Pain”, and ‘Boys in Town”. I am going to have see if I can find my old cassettes, I swear I must have worn them out.

Chrissy had such a great voice and her exuberant personality had everyone falling in love with her and their music. I can remember when I used to play my Divinyls cassettes and it wasn’t until I played their hit single, “‘I Touch Myself” that my parents literally told me they didn’t like me playing it! I think I was in my early twenties and I scoffed at them and then it was even funnier when my then boyfriend took offense to the song, almost feeling threatened by a woman’s security with her own sexuality. It soon became one of my favorite songs to blare out loud too, deeply unsettling the masses. It was wonderful to meet other girls who would proclaim the Divinyls as their new favorite band. I didn’t care that they were jumping on the bandwagon and I didn’t feel the need to explain they were in no way a “new” band. I was just glad to have them along for the ride.

One of my favorite songs from them was “Make out alright” which is the song that I chose for my tribute video for Chrissy. This song really would be my Go To song when I would feel in despair or hopeless about things. It didn’t matter to me if the song was about something else, in my mind, this song was just for me and it helped me through so many of my troubled times.

Chrissy died at her home in New York and had been battling breast cancer and also had multiple sclerosis. Due to her multiple sclerosis, she was unable to receive radiation treatment or chemotherapy to treat the cancer.  Amphlett’s cousin Patricia Thompson announced the news in an official public statement:

“Our beloved Chrissy peacefully made her transition this morning. Christine Joy Amphlett succumbed to the effects of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, diseases she vigorously fought with exceptional bravery and dignity”.

So take some time out of your busy day to remember the great Chrissy Amphlett.  Thank you Chrissy for your great gift of music. You will be greatly missed.

~Peace, Marisol