AceShowbiz - Singer/songwriter Ian Morris has passed away. He was 53. The frontman of Th' Dudes died in Napier, New Zealand on Thursday, October 7. No further information was available as WENN went to press.

Morris formed Th' Dudes with school friends Peter Urlich and Dave Dobbyn in 1975 but left the group in 1980 and pursued a solo career under the name Tex Pistol. A duet, "Nobody Else", with his brother Rikki topped the charts in New Zealand in 1988. Th' Dudes reformed for a tour in 2006.

Morris was also a successful producer and record engineer throughout his career. Ant Healey, the head of the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), has paid tribute to the star, stating, "We are all shocked and dreadfully saddened at this news. Ian was a truly gifted musician, producer and songwriter and was a friend and colleague of many of us. All our thoughts today are with his family, his brother Rikki and everyone else who is feeling the terrible impact of Ian's death."