How Angry Anderson was 'condemned to a life of sadness' after his 26-year-old son was bashed to death by his mate - as rocker dies at age 79

Angry Anderson told a court how a 'part of him died' when his son, Liam, was bashed to death in 2018. 

The iconic Australian rocker, who died on Monday at age 79, was torn apart when the 26-year-old lost his life at the hands of his good mate. 

Liam was found dead in a Sydney park after apprentice plumber Mathew Flame, then 20, killed him in a drug-induced psychosis. 

In December 2020, Flame was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to a maximum of eight years in prison. 

Anderson, who shared Liam with his ex-wife, Lindy Michael, told the court he'd never forget the phone call telling him 'something terrible' had happened to his son.

The Rose Tattoo rocker's famous booming voice was reduced to a soft cry as he explained how Liam's bashing death had made sadness his constant companion.

'When he died, part of me died with him, I know with certainty it happened for his sister, his brothers and his mother too,' he told the NSW Supreme Court.

The Anderson family would forever be denied Liam's amazing warmth and love, his laughter, the sight of him slouching in a chair and asking him if he wanted a cup of tea, he said.

'I am condemned, as we all are, to sadness,' Anderson said.

Anderson said he'd given a piece of his heart to each of his four children and Liam's death in November 2018 had provided a full understanding of the phrase 'a hole in one's heart'.

'(Liam) took a part of me - the part he, and only he, had with him,' Anderson said.

Flame was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter, after repeatedly stomping on Liam in the belief he was a demon in a Queenscliff Park on Sydney's northern beaches.

The plumber had taken ten MDMA pills and had also consumed alcohol and cannabis earlier in the night.

Flame was found guilty of manslaughter after a jury accepted the psychosis that caused him to believe his mate was a demon stemmed from the severe mental illness of schizophrenia.

Anderson said he'd never forget his son Galen telling him 'something terrible' had happened to Liam.

'These terrible words reverberate in my head daily and will, I imagine, for the rest of my life,' he said.

'Arriving home some hours later lost in shock, (I recall) the haunted look in my children's eyes, the pain, the helplessness, the anger and the overwhelming grief.'

Anderson was on the verge of tears for much of his four-page long victim impact statement.

But he hardened briefly, as he told the court time would never erase the way his son died 'or by whose hand'.

'Darkness... lurked within him (Flame) waiting for release,' Mr Anderson said.

'I believe that darkness still resides there.'

Anderson has previously expressed that he has no sympathy for Flame and did not look at him during his statement. 

The following year, Anderson broke down in tears in his first television interview since his son was killed.

'The last thing he did was to be kind. Do you take any comfort from that?' host Andrew Denton asked.

'I've tried, I've tried,' a distraught Anderson wept. 

The death of the legendary Australian rocker, who rose to fame alongside his band, Rose Tattoo, was announced by his family and bandmates in a social media post on Wednesday. 

'It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Gary "Angry" Anderson on the eve of Monday, 21 September 2026 surrounded by his loved ones here in Australia,' the Instagram post began. 

'Angry was a devoted father, and much-loved member of his friends, bandmates and the wider music and entertainment community,' it continued. 

'His loss will be deeply felt by all those who knew and loved him both here in Australia and overseas.

'The family and band members are asking for privacy at this difficult time and will not be giving interviews. We kindly ask that their wishes are respected as they come to terms with this devastating loss and take the time they need to grieve.

'We thank everyone for their prayers and messages of love and continued support. 

'With love, The Anderson family and Rose Tattoo Band. Stay young, grow strong.' 

Angry, whose real name is Gary Stephen Anderson, leaves behind his children Roxanne, Galen and Blaine, whom he shared with his ex-wife Lindy Michael.