Australian rock icon and pioneer Judy Cannon has died at the age of 84.
The Melbourne-born singer passed away in Ballarat, Victoria on August 29 after a long battle with the disease. Herald of the Sun reported.
Judy, known for working with world-famous names such as Jimi Hendrix, Johnny O’Keefe and Cliff Richard, is survived by her daughters Cass and Denny.
Her long-time friend, actress Coral Drouyn, described Judy as Australia’s first female rocker and paid tribute to her “unique” and gender-defying friend.
“She was a unique person and certainly laid the groundwork for many artists who followed her,” Coral told the Herald Sun.
‘She broke that glass ceiling and was the first Australian female rocker. She was special and lived life to the fullest.
‘All the female singers who have had success in the last 50 years have to thank the woman who paved the way for them more than 60 years ago.’
Judy, who was born in Melbourne in 1939, began her career in the 1950s and released a number of tracks with the Thunderbirds in the 1960s.
She landed a record deal, but her label pressured her to release pop songs, before she broke expectations and pursued her true passion, rock and roll.