Skyhooks' Bob Starkie Shares Cancer Update: 'I’m In Great Shape & All The Signs Are Good'

Skyhooks guitarist Bob “Bongo” Starkie shared the shock news that he’d been diagnosed with an “aggressive” cancer last week.

Yesterday (4 February), Starkie posted a new update, addressing his diagnosis and prognosis, and revealed that his Skyhooks bandmates Red Symons and Wilbur Wilde had gone to visit him.

While Starkie does indeed have an aggressive cancer – Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, to be exact – it’s curable, and he’s already started chemo. It’s early days in his cancer treatment, but Starkie has assured fans that he’s in “great shape” and “all the signs are good.”

Starkie’s post reads:

An update from Bob & a couple of mates [who] surprised him.

A couple of heavy hitters gave me a visit on the weekend. Lifted my spirits no end!

A lot of memories laughs!

My diagnosis is Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, which is an aggressive cancer, however having said that it is curable, and I am gonna beat this sucker. I’m in great shape and all the signs are good. I’ve got a great team around me, and they’ve taken the attack on without delay. I’m 5 days into chemo. My constant companion is a drip stand with I.V pumps.

I’ve received an overwhelming number of calls, posts and texts etc wishing me well and believe me, I’m feeling the love! Very special thanks to Peter Green and Victor Marshall for taking the pressure off and handling all the Facebooks and press releases.

Again, apologies to all the venues I’ve had to cancel, and I look forward to [seeing] you all pressing the boards later in the year.

With Love, Bob

Skyhooks recently re-entered the ARIA Charts following the 50th-anniversary re-release of their iconic album, Living In The 70’s. Originally released in October 1974, Living In The 70’s was a massive hit for Skyhooks.

Released via Michael Gudinski’s budding Mushroom Records label, the album's initially muted response quickly shifted in early 1975 when it topped the local charts. It stayed there for 16 weeks, becoming the highest-selling Australian album at the time.