Australian musician Stephen Jones from cult '80s band Severed Heads dead at 75 after alleged attack outside his Sydney music studio

Stephen Jones has died at age 75, two days after an attack at his music studio in Sydney's inner city. 

The beloved musician, who was best known for his time in the cult 1980s band Severed Heads, was allegedly assaulted on October 6 outside the Alexandria venue. 

He died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on October 8, surrounded by loved ones. 

The death of the talented musician and video artist was announced by his family on his Facebook page. 

'After loving visits from friends over the course of the day, Stephen died peacefully on Thursday afternoon,' the post reads.

'Stephen left this world with brother Ian and partner Wendy holding his hands. He was surrounded by friends,' it continued. 

'Stephen's passing on Thursday was gentle, observant and reverent. The staff at RPA ICU treated Stephen with thoughtful care and deep respect.

'Stephen left this world in dignity and surrounded by love.

'Stephen always said he wanted to go out in full consciousness. We could not do that for him, but he was pain free and at peace.'

The post explained that Stephen's body was with the coroner, with an investigation into his death and a forensic post-mortem underway. 

A suspect has been arrested and is being held without bail after being charged with manslaughter, the notice claimed. 

'We ask that people respect the ongoing investigation, chain of evidence, and refrain from speculation and sharing unverified information,' it read. 

'This is an ongoing investigation and we want justice for Stephen.

'The family is working with police, and is unable to supply any further details to you at this time. We ask for privacy during this difficult experience.'

A small private funeral and a celebration of Stephen's life will be held at an undetermined later date. 

Tributes for the music industry pioneer have flooded in, including from the label Dark Entries Records. 

'Stephen was a huge part of Australian video history, building his own video synthesiser and operating Heuristic Video in Sydney,' they wrote in an Instagram post.

'As well as his work with the Sevs, Stephen also did early video work with Laughing Hands and SPK. His book, Synthetics: Aspects of Art and Technology in Australia 1956-1975, is an important work on the history of video and art in Australia.

'He will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.'

Photographer Juno Gemes penned on Facebook: 'I feel he was seriously under-acknowledged for his pioneering genius by the art world in general in Australia, who often miss gentle giants before them in plain sight. 

'His manner was always mild, gentle and generous... he was a dear friend and cherished colleague over a lifetime. Vale dear Stephen Jones.'

Artist Ralph Kerle wrote: 'I want to remember Stephen not through the violence of his final days, but through the extraordinary life he lived and his work as one of the original pioneers in Australian video art. 

'With Severed Heads, he made video an instrument of live performance and toured internationally. 

'As an artist, engineer, writer and historian, he helped shape Australian electronic art and preserve its history.'

Born in Sydney, Jones became a beloved member of Australia's music scene as a principal member of Severed Heads between 1982 and 1992.

He pioneered a form of analogue video synthesisers that were used as part of the experimental band's live performances. 

Jones was also well known as a visual artist, with his work housed at the Art Gallery of NSW, the Queensland Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Australia. 

His book, Synthetics: Aspects of Art and Technology in Australia 1956 – 1975, is considered a definitive work in the field.