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Martin Phillipps, Co-Founder of Seminal New Zealand Group The Chills, Dies at 61

The singer, songwriter and guitarist passed at his home in Dunedin, on New Zealand’s south island.

The singer, songwriter and guitarist passed at his home in Dunedin, on New Zealand’s south island, confirms a statement issued by Flying Nun Records. Phillipps was “an integral part” of the university town’s scene in the 1980s, and of Roger Shepherd ‘s Flying Nun Records family, whose roster would include the Clean, the D4, Headless Chickens and Tall Dwarfs, Chris Knox, Straitjacket Fits and the Verlaines. The musician was “demanding of perfection in others and himself,” the Flying Nun tribute continues, penning such songs as “Rolling Moon,” “Pink Frost,” “I Love My Leather Jacket” and “Heavenly Pop Hit” which enjoyed commercially success and “helped define the best of New Zealand music” during that era.

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