Melbourne Remembers Divinyls Singer With Amphlett Lane

Melbourne has immortalised the late Divinyls singer Chrissy Amphlett by naming a CBD laneway after her. Today unveiled as Amphlett Lane, the laneway was formerly known as the slightly-less-cool-sounding Corporation Lane 1639.

Amphlett, who died last year at age 53 after suffering from breast cancer, started her career in Melbourne in the ’70s.

According to News Limited, Amphlett’s husband Charley Drayton teared up as he spoke publicly at the opening of Amphlett Lane today, describing the moment as “perfection”.

“When I wake up the face I want to see is Chrissy’s and I do,” he said. “Have the best time you can here but don’t hurt yourself or anyone else while doing it. Hooray for Amphlett Lane.” Drayton also called for Melbourne’s Palace Theatre — which Amplett Lane backs onto — to reopen. “We need to save it,” he said.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said Amphlett was a music icon for “our city, Australia and the world”.

“I think this will become, as the laneways of Melbourne are, a destination for music lovers not just from our city but from our state our nation and the wider world,” Doyle added.

Amphlett Lane, which is situated off of Little Bourke Street between Spring and Exhibition streets, also features a mural created by artist Peter Gouldthorpe.

Melbourne City Council gave their approval for Amphlett Lane last year after a petition of 6386 names was given to council asking for it to become official. Signatories included the likes of Molly Meldrum, Michael Gudinski and Amphlett’s cousin, singer Patricia ‘Little Pattie’ Amphlett.

Amphlett lane joins AC/DC Lane as part of the Love Your Laneways initiative.

Watch: Divinyls – Boys In Town

http://youtu.be/c53mr1IDPHA

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