Australian rockers Heaven have announced the passing of vocalist Allan Fryer. He died at the age of 60 following a long battle with cancer. Guitarist Chris Caffery (Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) has posted a tribute to Fryer online:

"I just learned that Allan Fryer, the lead singer from the band Heaven, has died.

This photo (above) was taken at L'Amour East in Queens. I was 18 years old. Skid Row opened that gig it was before they even found Baz. Allan gave me my first professional gig. My first professional pay check, my first ever plane flight, my first real tour...all with Allan.

Allan introduced me to Paul O'Neill. In some ways I may not be where I am today without him. He was a very funny guy and an amazing singer. He had such a crazy personality. I have nothing but fond memories with Allan. He was incredibly under recognized and it is a shame the world did not hear more of that incredible voice. 

He took me in my first ever trip to Disneyland. It was so incredible because I grew up with little money and our family vacations were mostly local. I had never seen anything like it.

Rest in peace my friend."

Fryer formed Heaven under the name Fat Lip in 1980 and moved to Sydney shortly after, changing the band name in the process. Heaven released three albums between 1982 and 1985: Twilight Of Mischief, Where Angels Fear To Tread and Knockin' On Heaven's Door. Fryer had been in the running to replace Bon Scott in AC/DC, but he lost the gig to current singer Brian Johnson.

In 2012, after 30 years of silence, the Heaven rhythm section of Joe Turtur, Laurie Marlow and John Haese re-united with Allan Fryer and hooked up with Rowan Robertson, as Mitch Perry was unavailable.

For information and updates on Heaven check out their Facebook page here.