INXS Manager Chris Murphy Dies Aged 66

Longtime INXS manager Chris Murphy passed away this morning in Sydney. He had recently been diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. He was 66.

The Murphy Petrol Group released a statement today confirming his death: "It is with great sadness that Caroline Murphy and family confirm that Christopher (CM) Mark Murphy, Chairman of Murphy Petrol Group has today passed away peacefully at his beloved Ballina property 'Sugar Beach Ranch' surrounded by his family."

Murphy managed INXS from the early days through their global domination, from 1979 to 1995. He began working with the band again in 2008. He also managed fellow Australian new wave breakout act Models for a short period in the mid-'80s. And, he had most recently been working closely with Byron Bay trio The Buckleys.

An entrepreneur, Murphy also created the labels rooArt and Petrol Records. Founding rooArt in 1988, the label (and its Ra imprint) went on to be home to influential local acts You Am I, Screaming Jets, Ratcat, Wendy Matthews and Custard. 

His Petrol label was launched in 2001 and quickly gained recognition for a popular series of world music releases.

In 2014 he began Murphy Rights Management.