Acclaimed Indigenous Songwriter Uncle Vic Simms Passes Away, Aged 79

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains an image of a person who has died, and is used with permission.

Acclaimed singer and songwriter Uncle Vic Simms has passed away at the age of 79.

Simms’ passing was confirmed by the ABC, with Simms’ son William remembering him as a vital part of the Australian cultural community.

“He was a much loved personality of the South Sydney community … he was a family man, he loved entertainment, loved his people," William, aid. "He was a proud Bidjigal man."

Simms (who was born as William Victor Simms) began his career as a musician in the '50s when he was just 11. Following a performance at the Manly Jazzorama Music Festival in 1957, Simms' issued his debut single Yo-Yo Heart as Vicki Simms in 1961.

In 1968, he was sent to Bathurst Gaol for a seven-year sentence for robbery. It was during his time spent incarcerated that his musical career continued to grow.

Working on guitar playing, composing, and performance, Simms would release his debut album The Loner in 1973, with the album recorded live during his time inside. Upon his release from prison, Simms resumed a musical career with live performances, toured with Jimmy Little, Roger Knox, and more, and in 2001 he was given a Deadly Award for Outstanding Contribution To Aboriginal Music.

Just last year, in September, Simms accepted an honorary doctorate from the University Of New South Wales in recognition of his contribution to the community.

In 2004, The Age labelled the The Loner as “Australia's great lost classic album of black protest music”. In 2017, a performance from The Painted Ladies, titled The Painted Ladies Play Selections From The Loner, was listed as one of the 110 Best Australian Albums Of All Time.

“We are deeply saddened to share the news that Uncle Vic ‘Bunno’ Simms passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday the 8th of February,” wrote The Painted Ladies on social media.

“As we take some time to sit with this loss for a moment, we send our love, support and gratitude to Uncle Vic’s many family, friends and anyone whose life he touched, through his music, art, culture, activism, his stories, his smile and enormous legacy.”