Australia lost one of its most precious jazz and soul singer, Renee Geyer earlier this week. The musician died due to complications after a hip surgery earlier this week. She was 69.
A portion of the statement released by the Geyers family, announcing her death, reads: "Just last month, Renée sang to a full house and was looking forward to another busy year ahead doing what she loved most - performing for her loyal fans around the country."
While hip surgery is not uncommon among the elderly, complications brought about by the major procedure are a risk that many would have to take.
However, if she lived through it, the legendary singer would still face more health problems, as she had been diagnosed with lung cancer during her stint at the hospital, The Guardian reported.
"Renée lived her life as she performed - on her own terms and to the fullest. Beloved and respected, she was a force of nature and a national treasure, and her passing leaves a giant void in the Australian music industry," the statement continued.
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Force to Reckon With
According to Billboard, Geyer is an ARIA Hall of Fame-inducted singer. Her career has spanned decades, and she enjoyed much success in her home country.
Her covers of the songs "It's a Man's Man's World," Heading in the Right Direction," and "Say I Love You" are some of the most prominent of her works.
Andrew P Street, a critic, once likened her stunning vocals to "cigarettes rolled in honey," reports say.
Other people in the music industry mourned her death, and took to Twitter to pay tribute to her: "Sang with Renee at a charity show back in the day, of course, she blew the roof off. One of the very best voices we ever had the privilege to hear."
Aside from being a fantastic singer, she was also an amazing performer who made sure everyone had a great time during her shows.
Singer and actor Lo Carmen recounted an experience with the late singer, "She was always a total pro, but she can also be cantankerous, messy, imperious, coquettish, hilarious, stately, and wickedly fun. Sometimes in one song. Definitely in one show."
Geyer released her 15th and final album "Swing" in 2013, years after the peak of her career, and yet it still managed to peak at the ARIA Charts.
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