Bob “Bongo” Starkie was one of Australian rock’s most colourful and enduring guitarists — a player whose sharp riffs, cheeky humour, and rhythmic pulse powered Skyhooks from Melbourne cult heroes to national icons.
Bongo's journey before, during, and after the band reflects a musician who never lost his spark. Starkie passed away on 29 November 2025, prompting an outpouring of affection from fans and fellow artists who saw him as a vital thread in the fabric of Australian music.
Growing up in Melbourne, Bob was drawn to guitar early and spent his young adulthood shaping his craft in pubs, clubs, and rehearsal rooms.
He played in a string of local outfits where he built a reputation for clean, punchy rhythm work and an upbeat stage presence. Even before he had a national profile, musicians around the city knew him as reliable, talented, and quietly charismatic — the sort of guitarist other bands wanted to poach.
Starkie joined Skyhooks in 1973, stepping into a band that would become one of Australia’s most influential rock acts.
Skyhooks arrived like a shockwave: irreverent, glammy, theatrical, and unmistakably Australian.
Bob’s guitar style became a pillar of their sound — tight, melodic, rhythmic, and full of playful swagger.
His work powered hits from Living in the ’70s and Ego Is Not a Dirty Word, including classics like “Horror Movie,” “You Just Like Me ’Cause I’m Good in Bed,” “Ego Is Not a Dirty Word,” and “Women in Uniform.”
Onstage, Bob brought a grounded confidence that balanced the band’s wilder theatrical edges. He wasn’t the loudest personality in Skyhooks, but his presence was essential — the rhythmic engine room that kept the glitter-covered chaos driving forward.
After the band’s original era wound down, Starkie remained a working musician through and through. He played in a variety of groups, collaborated widely, and stayed active across Melbourne’s music scene.
Eventually, he took on a role that fans adored: fronting Bob Starkie’s Skyhooks Show, a touring act that kept the band’s catalogue alive with humour, heart, and authenticity. Unlike a tribute act, this was the real thing — Starkie playing the music he helped make famous. Audiences loved him for it, and the shows often became celebrations shared across generations.
He also contributed frequently to interviews, documentaries, and retrospectives, offering his memories with warmth and clarity. Starkie took pride in the band’s legacy and made sure the stories — and the songs — stayed alive.
In his final years, Starkie continued performing and engaging with the music community whenever his health allowed. His death led to a wave of tributes across Australia.
Artists, fans, music journalists, and former bandmates remembered him as a generous, grounded musician who gave everything to his craft and never lost his sense of fun.
Bob “Bongo” Starkie leaves behind more than riffs and records — he leaves behind decades of memories, laughter, friendship, and the unmistakable sound of Skyhooks, a band that helped Australia find its own voice in rock ’n’ roll. From his early days in Melbourne pubs to his final shows proudly flying the Skyhooks flag, he stayed true to the music and the people who loved it.
His legacy will continue to ring out every time a Skyhooks classic blasts through a speaker.
In this episode we explore Bongo's musical life, listening to hin tell his own story, in his own words. Whether you're already familar with the band Skyhooks, or just discovering them for the first time, I'm sure you're going to enjoy hearing Bob's story.
For more information, comments or feedback, head to ny website https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au
