Kimble Rendall, a founding member of the Australian rock bands Hoodoo Gurus and XL Capris, has passed away.

The sad news was posted on Facebook by Rendall’s publicist, Melissa Hoyer, and shared by the band.

Rendall co-founded the band XL Capris in 1978 with Julie Anderson, Tim Gooding, and Johanna Pigott. Best known for their punk version of Tommy Leonetti’s My City Of Sydney, the group found success in Australia and New Zealand. Rendall left the band in January 1981 to start a band called Le Hoodoo Gurus, later shortened to Hoodoo Gurus. He was replaced by Dragon’s Todd Hunter.

Rendall met Hoodoo Gurus frontman Dave Faulkner on New Year’s Day in 1980, and, a year later, the band was formed. He was also managing the band as they prepared the release of their debut album, Stoneage Romeos. He left the band prior to the release of the 1982 single, Lehlani, but played guitar on the track.

In addition to his music career, Rendall was a director and writer, best known for his second-unit direction on the films The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003), I, Robot (2004), Casanova (2005), and Ghost Rider (2007). He also directed music videos for artists such as XL Capris, Hoodoo Gurus, Dragon, Mental As Anything, UB40, The Angels, Cold Chisel, Hunters And Collectors, and Boom Crash Opera.

In 1982, Rendall married Basia Bonkowski. The couple adopted two children, William and Camille. Bonkowski died in September 2022 from lymphoma.

“Vale, Kimble Rendall. Musician, advertising guru, film director, husband, devoted dad & a very good friend to many,” Hoyer wrote on Facebook on Sunday (20 April).

“One of the very, very good men – Kimble was married to the ‘first lady of music television’, the late Basia Bonkowski & carved out a huge reputation in music (he was in the XL Capris & the Hoodoo Gurus); a leading figure in the advertising world (what award didn’t he win?) and went onto became a mega successful film director.

“Thank you for being in our lives, Kimble. You were a compassionate, constantly creative, funny, clever & perennially entertaining one-off & the time had come to join your beloved Basia.”

Hoyer continued, “Everyone loved you, Kimble, none more than your children - Billy and Camille- & those brilliant times with you, the fam & eclectic friends will never, ever be forgotten.

“Just a few months ago, Kimble got up on stage with the Gurus for a guest appearance: he was so incredibly chuffed - couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

“Rest in Peace, dear friend.”