T.I.A Recaps 2022: Deaths

Every year we say “it’s been a bloody big year”, and every year, it just seems to get bigger. For this reason, the 2022 edition of “TIA RECAPS” has been split into multiple different articles because collating it into one would have you sitting here for hours. It’s time for instalment three - people who didn’t make it to 2023. 

20 JANUARY - MICHAEL ADAY 

Better known as Meat Loaf, the American rock singer and actor passed away at the age of 74. While no official cause of death was given, it has been reported that he had been struggling with COVID 19 and complications from the illness. His first album stayed on the charts for more than nine years and is a regular feature on lists of best selling albums. He leaves behind wife Deborah Gillespie and two children. 

4 MARCH - ROD MARSH MBE

Australian cricket legend Rod Marsh passed away aged 74 after suffering a heart attack. Marsh was well known for his wicket keeping skills, as well as explosive batting. At the time of hanging up his gloves on test cricket in 1984 he held what was then a world record of 355 dismissals and had 3,633 runs to his name. 

4 MARCH - SHANE WARNE AO

Already in mourning following the death of Rod Marsh, it was a double blow for Aussie cricket fans when news emerged that Shane Warne had passed on the same day. At the age of 52 the cricket great was found unresponsive in his villa while holidaying in Koh Samui, Thailand. It was later revealed that he died from a heart attack. Warne is still regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket with 145 test appearances. 

25 MARCH - TAYLOR HAWKINS

Drummer for the Foo Fighters, Oliver Taylor Hawkins, better known as Taylor Hawkins, passed away at the age of 50. While no cause of death was given, after his death Colombian authorities announced that in his preliminary urine toxicology tests it was indicated that he had ten substances in his system at the time of death including opioids, benzodiazepines and antidepressants. In 2021 Hawkins was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Foo Fighters. 

30 MARCH - TOM PARKER

Aged only 33, singer Tom Parker best known as a member of British boyband The Wanted passed away after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in October 2020. During his time with The Wanted he released three studio albums and achieved two number one singles, before embarking on a solo career in 2014 when the band went on hiatus. He leaves behind wife Kelsey Hardwich and two children. 

14 MAY - ANDREW SYMONDS 

In another blow for Aussie cricket fans, a single-vehicle crash near Townsville claimed the life of former cricket star Andrew Symonds. Aged just 46, Symonds had spent the day fishing before his car left the road and rolled in Hervey Range, about 50 kilometres from Townsville. Symonds played in 198 one-day internationals, claimed 5,088 runs and took 133 wickets over his career. 

8 JULY - SHINZO ABE 

The former prime minister of Japan and serving member of the House of Representatives, Shizo Abe was assassinated while speaking at a political event. He was delivering a campaign speech for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate when he was shot from behind at close range. The man who is suspected of shooting him, 41 year old Tetsuya Yamagami, used a homemade firearm and was motivated by a grudge against the Unification Church and Abe’s connection with it. 

13 JULY - ARCHIE ROACH AM

Gunditjmara-Bundalung senior elder, singer-songwriter and voice of the Stolen Generations Archie Roach passed away in July after a long illness. At the age of three Uncle Archie was forcibly removed from his family, this experience and trauma inspired his most famous song ‘Took The Children Away’. The song won two ARIA awards and a Human Rights Achievement Award. 

5 AUGUST - JUDITH DURHAM AO 

The lead singer of The Seekers, often described as having the “voice of an angel”, Judith Durham passed away at the age of 79, after complications from chronic lung disease. After joining The Seekers in 1963 the band went on to become the first Australian band to achieve number one in the US and the UK, as well as sell more than 50 million records worldwide. 

8 AUGUST - DAME OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN 

Better known as Sandy Olsson from the hit film Grease- Olivia Newton-John passed away in August after a thirty year battle with breast cancer. Her first diagnosis came in 1992, prompting her to become a passionate advocate for cancer research and support, and also led her to found the Olivia Newton John Cancer and Wellness Research Centre in Melbourne. In 2019 she was made a dame in the Queen's New Year honours list for her services to charity, cancer research and entertainment. 

8 SEPTEMBER - QUEEN ELIZABETH II

In September, Queen Elizabeth II passed away aged 96 in Balmoral Castle, her Scottish estate. She was the UK’s longest serving monarch, celebrating her Platinum Jubilee, 70 years of reigning. The moment the Queen passed the responsibility was passed on to her son Charles, now known as King Charles III. 

13 SEPTEMBER - JACK CHARLES 

Aged 79, stage and screen actor, activist, advocate and Aboriginal Elder, Uncle Jack Charles passed away from a stroke.  He was involved in the establishment of the first Indigenous theatre in Australia, Nindethana Theatre in Melbourne. As a gay man, Uncle Jack was considered to be a gay icon and role model for LGBTQI+ Indigenous youth. 

5 NOVEMBER - AARON CARTER 

On November 5, a housekeeper found the body of American singer and rapper Aaron Carter in the bathtub of his home in California. An autopsy was performed by was deferred pending the results of a toxicology report. He began performing at the age of seven, and released his self-titled debut album at nine. He leaves behind one child. 

5 DECEMBER - KIRSTIE ALLEY 

At the age of 71, American, Emmy award winning actress Kirstie Alley passed away from colon cancer, reportedly only recently discovered. Throughout her career she appeared in multiple TV shows and movies including Scream Queens, Without a Trace and Cheers. She left behind two children. 

13 DECEMBER - STEPHEN “TWITCH” BOSS 

Dancer, producer and DJ Stephen Boss, best known for his charismatic role on The Ellen Show, committed suicide in a Los Angeles motel. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner declared the death a suicide by gunshot wound to the head. Throughout his career tWitch played roles in multiple films including Blades of Glory, Hairspray, the Step Up franchise and Magic Mike XXL. He leaves behind his wife Allison and three children.  

29 DECEMBER - VIVIENNE WESTWOOD 

Iconic fashion designer Vivienne Westwood passed away aged 81, with no cause of death revealed. Well known for combining punk themes with feminine aspects, she was regarded as one of Britain's biggest names in fashion. Her representatives said in a statement that she passed “peacefully, surrounded by her family.” 

30 DECEMBER - BARBARA WALTERS 

American broadcast journalist Barbara Walters passed away aged 93 in her New York City home, the time of writing no cause of death has been released. She was well known for her interviewing skills and her popularity with viewers on several programs including Today, ABC Evening News, 20/20 and The View. She leaves behind one child. 

This is not a conclusive list of well known people who have passed away in 2022 and won’t be seeing in 2023 with us, I wish I could list them all. 

The next instalment of TIA Recaps 2022 will be sports, yay. (some sarcasm there)