Australian singer-songwriter Joy McKean, who wrote some of her husband Slim Dusty’s most popular songs, has died at 93.
The couple had two children named Anne and David Kirkpatrick; both of which followed their parent’s footsteps as they became renowned singer-songwriters.
Slim Dusty cause of death: What happened to Joy McKean’s husband?
Slim Dusty, whose real name is David Gordon Kirkpatrick, died at his home after a battle with cancer, at the age of 93. Slim Dusty “released more than a hundred albums, selling more than seven million records and earning over 70 gold and platinum album certifications”.
He was the first Australian to have a No. 1 international hit song, with a version of Gordon Parsons’ “A Pub with No Beer”. Joy McKean, got married to her husband Slim Dusty and it was the beginning of their lifelong collaboration as musicians. Aside from being a singer on her own, she also became her partner’s manager for over 50 years and they collaborated on dozens of songs together.
Australian music pioneer Joy McKean has passed away, aged 93.
The multi-award-winning songwriter, musician and wife of the late Slim Dusty, passed away surrounded by family, after a long battle with cancer. #9News
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— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) May 26, 2023
McKean met Slim Dusty in 1951, six years before he became the first Australian to have an international No 1 with A Pub With No Beer.
The bush balladeer would go on to sell more than 7m records across his career, Slim Dusty was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1970, inducted into the Aria Hall of Fame in 1988, and given the Order of Australia in 1998.
