Australian rock legend Chrissy Amphlett, best known as the powerful and unmistakable lead singer of the Divinyls, died on April 21, 2013, at the age of 53.
The acclaimed singer passed away at her home in New York after battling breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. Her death brought an outpouring of tributes from fans, fellow musicians, friends and members of the Australian music industry.
Amphlett was widely regarded as one of the most influential female performers in Australian rock history. Through her fearless stage presence, distinctive voice and unconventional style, she helped redefine expectations for women in rock music.
Who Was Chrissy Amphlett?
Chrissy Amphlett was born Christine Joy Amphlett on October 25, 1959, in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
She rose to prominence as the lead vocalist of Divinyls, the Australian rock band she formed with guitarist Mark McEntee in the early 1980s.
From the beginning, Amphlett stood out.
Her performances were intense, theatrical and unpredictable, while her voice moved effortlessly between vulnerability and raw power.
Her school-uniform-inspired stage outfits, fishnet stockings and confrontational performance style became closely associated with the band’s image.
Divinyls quickly built a strong reputation in the Australian rock scene before gaining international recognition.
Chrissy Amphlett and Divinyls
Under Amphlett’s leadership, Divinyls produced several memorable songs that became staples of Australian rock.
Among the band’s best-known tracks were:
- Boys in Town
- Science Fiction
- Pleasure and Pain
- Sleeping Beauty
- Back to the Wall
- I Touch Myself
The band’s biggest international breakthrough came with “I Touch Myself,” released in 1990.
The song became a global hit and reached audiences far beyond Australia, helping establish Amphlett as an internationally recognized rock performer.
Its provocative subject matter also made it one of the most talked-about pop-rock songs of its era.
Chrissy Amphlett Cause of Death
Chrissy Amphlett died after living with both breast cancer and multiple sclerosis.
She publicly revealed in 2007 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a condition affecting the central nervous system.
Three years later, in 2010, Amphlett announced that she had also been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The combination of the two illnesses made treatment increasingly difficult.
Her husband, musician Charley Drayton, confirmed her death and spoke about the seriousness of the health challenges she faced during the final years of her life.
Amphlett ultimately died at her New York home on April 21, 2013.
Her Battle With Breast Cancer
Amphlett’s experience with breast cancer became an important part of her later legacy.
She had reportedly discovered an abnormality herself and continued seeking medical attention until further testing confirmed her cancer diagnosis.
After her diagnosis, she began speaking publicly about breast health and the importance of women paying attention to changes in their bodies.
She later expressed hope that her famous song “I Touch Myself” could take on a new meaning by encouraging women to become more aware of breast cancer and early detection.
That idea eventually inspired a major awareness campaign after her death.
Living With Multiple Sclerosis
Amphlett had also been living with multiple sclerosis for several years.
She revealed the diagnosis publicly in 2007, although she had reportedly been dealing with symptoms before then.
Multiple sclerosis gradually affected her physical health and made performing increasingly difficult.
Her condition also complicated some of the medical treatments available after her breast cancer diagnosis.
Despite those challenges, Amphlett continued to remain connected to music and creative projects for as long as her health allowed.
Chrissy Amphlett and “I Touch Myself”
“I Touch Myself” became the song most closely associated with Chrissy Amphlett and Divinyls.
Originally released as a provocative pop-rock anthem, the song later took on a far more serious meaning.
Before her death, Amphlett wanted its message transformed into something that could help women recognize the importance of breast awareness.
Following her passing, the I Touch Myself Project was created in her memory.
Australian artists participated in a new version of the song to promote breast cancer awareness and encourage women to check their breasts regularly.
The project helped connect Amphlett’s musical legacy with a cause that had become deeply personal to her.
Chrissy Amphlett’s Husband
Chrissy Amphlett was married to American musician and drummer Charley Drayton.
The couple married in Melbourne in 1999 and remained together until her death.
Drayton was by her side throughout many of her health struggles and later spoke publicly about her strength, creativity and determination.
He also continued supporting projects created in her memory following her passing.
Tributes Following Chrissy Amphlett’s Death
News of Amphlett’s death led to tributes from musicians, fans and entertainment figures across Australia and internationally.
Many remembered her as a performer who refused to conform to traditional expectations.
Her forceful personality, dramatic stage presence and distinctive singing style helped inspire younger generations of female artists.
For many Australian musicians, Amphlett represented a turning point in how women could present themselves within rock music.
She could be confrontational, vulnerable, sensual, humorous and aggressive without allowing herself to be placed into a single category.
Chrissy Amphlett’s Influence on Australian Rock
Chrissy Amphlett remains one of Australia’s most recognizable female rock singers.
Her importance extends beyond the commercial success of Divinyls.
At a time when rock music was still heavily dominated by male performers, Amphlett created a stage identity entirely on her own terms.
She challenged stereotypes and demonstrated that female rock performers did not have to fit conventional ideas of femininity or behavior.
Her influence can still be seen in performers who embrace individuality, theatricality and confidence on stage.
Unreleased Chrissy Amphlett Music
Interest in Amphlett’s work has continued long after her death.
In 2026, previously unreleased recordings involving Amphlett and New Zealand musician Tim Finn resurfaced.
The discovery brought renewed attention to music Amphlett had worked on before her health declined.
For longtime fans, the recordings provided another opportunity to hear her unmistakable voice years after her death.
They also highlighted the fact that Amphlett remained creatively ambitious throughout the later years of her life.
Remembering Chrissy Amphlett
Chrissy Amphlett’s career was defined by originality.
She helped transform Divinyls into one of Australia’s most recognizable rock bands and gave audiences songs that continue to be played decades later.
Her voice, stage presence and willingness to challenge boundaries made her impossible to ignore.
Outside music, her experience with breast cancer also led to a lasting awareness campaign designed to encourage women to take their health seriously.
More than a decade after her passing, Amphlett’s influence remains visible in Australian music and beyond.
She is remembered not only as the voice behind “I Touch Myself,” but as a fearless performer who helped change the role of women in rock.
Chrissy Amphlett died on April 21, 2013, at the age of 53 after battling breast cancer and multiple sclerosis.