It is With great sadness we share the news of the death of Margaret Urlich, one of New Zealand’s most cherished and iconic musicians. After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Margaret passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by her family and friends.
What was her cause of death?
New Zealand singer Margaret Urlich passed away at age 57, after a two-year battle with cancer. The type of cancer is not known yet .Urlich was best known as a member of the 1980s pop group Peking Man, whose hits included “Room That Echoes” and “Don’t Forget Me”. After relocating to Australia in the 1980s to pursue her singing career, Urlich enjoyed success as a solo artist, releasing several chart-topping albums.
BREAKING: ARIA award winner Margaret Urlich has died aged 57. The New Zealand born singer made it big in Australia after singing with Daryl Braithwaite in The Horses. https://t.co/EQQlP4t27T #TheLatest #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/79oHxEKJeA
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) August 22, 2024
Margaret Urlich will be remembered as one of New Zealand’s most successful singers of the 1980s. Her music brought joy to millions of people around the world,
Early Life And Career
Margaret was not only an exceptionally talented singer and songwriter but also a much-loved member of the New Zealand music community.
Margaret Mary Urlich was born on 24 January 1965 in Auckland, New Zealand. She began her musical career in the early 1980s as a member of the pop band Peking Man. The band enjoyed success with their debut album, Game, landing in the top five on the New Zealand charts and spawning the hit single “Downtown.” In 1988, Urlich embarked on a solo career with the release of her self-titled album. The album was a commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the New Zealand charts and earning her an ARIA Award for Best Female Artist.
Urlich followed up with the albums Safety in Numbers (1990) and Screems from the Old Country (1992), both of which were also successful. She continued to release music throughout the 1990s and 2000s, though she largely retreated from the public eye in recent years. Urlich passed away on 22 August 2024 at the age of 57.
Margaret was a true pioneer of New Zealand music, and her influence will be felt for many years to come. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Our thoughts are with Margaret’s family at this time.
Fans Tribute to Margaret urlich
Singer-songwriter Margaret Urlich has died at the age of 57. She was best known as the female vocalist on Daryl Braithwait ‘Horses’ and won an ARIA award for her debut album ‘Safety in Numbers’ in 1991. pic.twitter.com/Ih28qFDWP0
— STACK (@STACKmag) August 22, 2024
Reitta Austin
Margaret Urlich will always be the most special, amazing friend and singer in my life. She inspired me to spread my wings and went off from the lead of Jesus Christ Superstar for two nights so that I could go on in her place so my friends and family could see me perform Mary Magdalene. ❤️ After she didn’t want to do the Australian run, I had problems with the Musical director wanting to recast me as the understudy with a girl he “fancied” instead. Margaret called me every day to make sure I was coping and to keep strong with the belief it was all going to be ok. When the director finally called me to say there had been an awful mistake and I was still the understudy, Margaret was the first person I called. When she was writing her second album, I would go into her hotel room and watch her write. She inspired me as a song writer and at high school with her voice. When I choreographed a routine for “When The Cats Away” years later, her dance moves and voice still capitvated me and always will. She taught me that singers should love, help and appreciate each other. She was a great cook, cornered the phrase “chick singer” and was a wonderful wife and mother to George and her children. Gutted…. I have no words for the hole in my heart today. RIP Margaret, you are one in a million and I will love and miss you forever. 💔 Another one for the band in heaven. 🥲 Arohanui.
Roslyyn clay
💔😢This moment totally has me undone, maybe it’s because it comes off the back of so much sad news lately. Maybe it’s because life really is fleeting. But as I learnt of Margaret Urlich’s passing today – this FB memory popped up today🤯Exactly a year ago 22/8/2021 I shared this video jamming one of my favourite songs of hers. This song was everywhere in 1989 as was she. As the flood of tributes come through, I too, join every Kiwi in honouring her life, her family, friends and her legacy today🕊
This article originally posted on bareillycollege.org
