R.I.P. Andrew ‘Greedy’ Smith of Mental As Anything (1956-2019)

Mental As Anything co-founder Andrew ‘Greedy’ Smith has passed away after suffering a heart attack yesterday (2 December) aged 63.

In an official announcement Mental As Anything have announced:

“It is with an incredibly heavy heart to announce that one of the founding members of Mental As Anything, Andrew Greedy Smith passed away last night from a heart attack.

Greedy, the only remaining member of the group and was currently on a national tour.

Our grief and confusion at this time are little compared to what Andrew’s family will be feeling – our hearts and prayers go out to them.

Andrew is survived by his son Harvey, fiancée Fiona Docker and brother Stuart.

Funeral details to be confirmed”.

Greedy Smith, Martin Plaza, Reg Mombassa, Peter O’Doherty and Wayne de Lisle formed Mental As Anything in 1977. Their first single in 1979 ‘The Nips Are Getting Bigger’ reached no 16 in Australia.

The Mentals had their first UK hit in 1981 with ‘If You Leave Me Can I Come Too’ which reached no 16. In 1985 ‘You’re So Strong’ was hit a in the US the ‘Live It Up’ went top 10 globally.

Greedy was the keyboard player, co-lead singer and songwriter in the band. He also released two solo albums ‘Love Harmonica’ in 1996 and ‘Greedy’s People’ in 1997.