Mental As Anything's manager Grant Bartlett has spoken of his grief in the wake of Australian music legend Greedy Smith's death, as tributes to the 63-year-old flowed.
Speaking from his office at Mt Cotton, Mr Bartlett said he was still in disbelief after Smith suffered a heart attack in his car in Sydney on Tuesday.
"It feels like it has ripped a hole in my heart," Mr Bartlett said.
He has received phone calls from Daryl Braithwaite and Russell Morris as industry professionals line up to pay tribute to Smith.
Mr Bartlett said Smith had touched the lives of fans and stars like.
"He was just a lovely person," Mr Bartlett said.
"I can't remember a nicer person."
Smith, he said, always had time for fans, and his vivacious energy on stage was the same off it.
"He talked to everyone. Greedy was such a lovely guy," Mr Bartlett said.
"Everyone noticed he had that spark on stage."
The band headlined last year's RedFest Strawberry Festival at Cleveland Showground. Mr Bartlett said another Redlands date would have been on the agenda.
"Over the years they have worked the Redlands quite a bit," he said.
Smith's heart problem was a shock, as the band maintained a terrific work rate.
"The band plays 140 shows per year," Mr Bartlett said.
"It's a great work rate. You have to be in great shape.
"The Mentals have 25 Australian top 40 hits.
"People see them and go 'I didn't know they sang that one' and 'I remember that one'."
Mr Bartlett has been involved with the band for more than 20 years, with 16 as their manager.
"October this year was 16, and before that, I was their booking agent," he said.
Smith formed Mental As Anything in Sydney in 1977, along with Reg Mombassa, Martin Plaza, Wayne 'Bird' Delisle and Peter O'Doherty.
He is survived by fiancee Fiona Docker and son Harvey.
