We are deeply saddened to hear that New Zealand and Australian music legend Max Merritt has passed away aged 79.
Born in Christchurch, Merritt with his band The Meteors found Rock n' Roll success on the New Zealand and Australian charts in the 1950 and 60s before touring the UK and settling in Los Angeles.
Most well know for the Max Merritt and The Meteors 1975 hit 'Slipping Away', Merritt is a member of the ARIA Hall of Fame and continued playing shows in NZ and Australia until being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease in 2007.
Max has been living in Los Angeles in recent years, and will be fondly remembered for a career that stretched all the way back to the beginning of rock n roll in New Zealand, crossed the Tasman and became the King of Soul, and collaborated with and inspired a wide variety of musicians throughout his life.
You can read a wonderful obituary from Radio NZ HERE