Chris Bailey, who led Australian punk icons The Saints, died on Saturday, "It is with great pain in our hearts that we have to inform you about the passing of Chris Bailey, singer and songwriter of The Saints, on April the 9th 2022," wrote the band on their Facebook. "Chris lived a life of poetry and music and stranded on a Saturday night."
Born in 1957 in Belfast, Ireland, Chris Bailey emigrated with his family to Brisbane, Australia when he was seven and met soon-to-be bandmates Ed Kuepper and Ivor Hay in school. They formed The Eternals in 1973 and changed their name to The Saints the following year. While predating punk, their buzzsaw approach, as heard on classic single "(I'm) Stranded," fit in with Ramones and The Sex Pistols. Bailey led The Saints through the alt-rock '80s and beyond, releasing 14 albums over the years.