25/10/2026
Much loved and respected Divinyls lead singer Chrissy Amphlett was born Christine Joy Amphlett in Geelong, Victoria, Australia on this day in 1959 (October 25)
Chrissy was the cousin of another legendary Australian singer, Little Pattie (Patricia Amphlett).
As an actress, she made her film debut in “Monkey Grip” (1982) in a supporting role as Angela, the temperamental lead singer of a rock band, and in 1988, she starred opposite Russell Crowe in the first Australian production of W***y Russell's stage musical “Blood Brothers”.
She also portrayed Judy Garland in multiple productions of “The Boy from Oz”.
In her autobiography “Pleasure and Pain” (2005), Amphlett described breaking into the music scene from the age of fourteen, being arrested for busking when seventeen and travelling in Spain, and how her performances drew upon childhood pain.
Chrissy Amphlett, Jeremy Paul, and guitarist Mark McEntee formed Divinyls in Sydney in 1980, and they went on to be an integral part of a golden age of live band and pub rock in Australia, starting with the “Monkey Grip” soundtrack.
The band went on to have a string of hits, including “I Touch Myself” which went to #1 in Australia, #4 in the US, and #10 in the UK.
Chrissy passed away aged 53, on 21 April 2013 at her home in Manhattan, after a long battle with breast cancer.
Due to the multiple sclerosis that Amphlett concurrently had, she reported that she was unable to receive radiation treatment or chemotherapy as cancer treatment.
The I Touch Myself Project was launched in 2014, twelve months after the passing of Chrissy Amphlett to breast cancer.
Amphlett was passionate about spreading awareness of the importance of early detection and wanted the song to be adapted as an anthem for breast health around the world.
The Project was created in Chrissy’s honour with a mission to create educational forums to remind women to check their breasts regularly and to take action if there are any changes.
In June 2014, Connie Mitchell, Deborah Conway, Kate Ceberano, Katie Noonan, Little Pattie, Megan Washington, Olivia Newton-John, Sarah Blasko, Sarah McLeod and Suze DeMarchi released a version of "I Touch Myself", each provided their own interpretation and distinct style to the song.
Chrissy Amphlett was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame as a member of Divinyls in 2006.
Never forget this early stuff though....
https://youtu.be/WnOXYcO4zjg
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
