Aussie rock icons Hoodoo Gurus left heartbroken as founding member dies – just days after their former manager: ‘We’re reeling from shock’

By JIMMY BRIGGS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 01:59 BST, 22 April 2025 | Updated: 01:59 BST, 22 April 2025

Aussie rock icons Hoodoo Gurus have been left heartbroken after founding member Kimble Rendall died – just days after the death of their former manager.

The ARIA Hall of Fame recipients took to Facebook to confirm the passing of their original guitarist Kimble, who died on Saturday aged 71.

‘RIP Kimble. Very sad news. Just announced overnight,’ the band wrote alongside a heartwarming throwback picture of him playing the guitar in a studio.

‘Two losses we have had in the Gurus family this past week. We’re still reeling from the shock.’ 

The Sydney-born musician was the band’s original guitarist from 1981 – 1982 but left them as they were just breaking out, in order to become a filmmaker.

He went on to become on of Australia’s most renowned filmmakers, with his directing credits including the 2000 horror movie Cut, starring Kylie Minogue and Molly Ringwald. 

Aussie rock icons Hoodoo Gurus have been left heartbroken after founding member Kimble Rendall died – just days after the death of their former manager

Kimble also directed Julian McMahon and Lincoln Lewis in the 2012 shark horror movie Bait.

His final directing credit was the 2018 Australian-Chinese co-production Guardians of the Tomb, starring Kelsey Grammer and Li Bingbing.

Kimble also directed music videos for his former band, as well as for several Aussie rock icons, including Cold Chisel, Mental As Anything and Diesel. 

He was also second-unit director for many acclaimed Hollywood productions filmed in Australia, including The Matrix Reloaded, Ghost Rider and I, Robot. 

His death was announced by media personality Melissa Hoyer on social media.

‘Vale Kimble Rendall… Musician, advertising guru, film director, husband, devoted dad and a very good friend to many,’ she began.

‘Thank you for being in our lives. You were compassionate, constantly creative, funny, clever and perennially entertaining.’ 

He was married to veteran Australian TV presenter Basia Bonkowski from 1982 until her passing in 2022 from lymphoma.

The ARIA Hall of Fame recipients took to Facebook to confirm the passing of their original guitarist Kimble, who died on Saturday aged 71. Pictured with the band

The Sydney-born musician was the band’s original guitarist from 1981 – 1982 but left them as they were just breaking out, in order to become a filmmaker 

Kimble is survived by their children William and Camille. 

His death comes just days after the passing of former Hoodoo Gurus manager Dominic ‘Mick’ Mazzone, who died after battling an illness.

The band took to social media last week to share a heartfelt tribute to Mick, remembering the industry veteran as a ‘dear friend’. 

‘We in the Hoodoo Gurus are utterly devastated at the sudden loss of our dear friend, Mick (Dominic) Mazzone,’ they wrote in a statement.

‘It is impossible to convey the shock and grief we are feeling right now. We have already shed many tears, and there will be many more to come.

‘Our loss is nothing compared to the one that has been dealt to Mick’s close family and friends and, in particular, to his beloved kids, Frank, Antonia and Alex.

‘Our hearts go out to them at this dreadful time. Love, Brad, Dave, Rick & Nik.’

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Aussie rock icons Hoodoo Gurus left heartbroken as founding member dies – just days after their former manager: ‘We’re reeling from shock’

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