'Lovely fella': Australian musician Paul Gray, singer of Wa Wa Nee, has died
Australian musician Paul Gray, who shot to fame as the vocalist and songwriter for 1980s pop group Wa Wa Nee, has died.
Gray, who was 53, had been diagnosed with a bone marrow cancer, known as Multiple Myeloma or Kahler's Disease.
Gray died on Tuesday but his family waited a day to post the news on Wa Wa Nee's Facebook page asking for people to honour their need to privately grieve.
"It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we announce that Paul Gray passed away peacefully," the message read. "We would like to thank all the doctors, hospital staff, relatives, friends and fans for the overwhelming support given to Paul and our family while he heroically battled Multiple Myeloma."
Tributes have started to flow on social media, with singer David Campbell calling him "one of the loveliest blokes in the industry".
Wa Wa Nee released their debut album in 1986 after the band was originally formed by Gray and guitarist Steve Williams in the early '80s. The group's first single, Stimulation, from their self-titled album instantly won them fans and reached number two on the Australian singles chart. A few months later the song I Could Make You Love Me was also a top five hit.
Soon afterwards the songs Sugar Free and One and One (Ain't I Good Enough), also from Wa Wa Nee's debut album, charted well and the album itself reached number 29. The group broke up in 1989, soon after the release of their second album.
In more recent years Gray played keyboard for Tina Arena, Renee Geyer and Human Nature. In the years since he found fame with Wa Wa Nee, Gray also worked as a musical director and producer.