The ARIA Hall of Fame recipients confirmed on Tuesday that their original drummer James Baker has died aged 71.

Baker’s death came one year after he was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.

He joined the legendary rockers in 1981 and performed on their first album, Stoneage Romeos.

The Perth-born musician co-wrote the band’s very first single Leilani and also performed on their 1983 hit song My Girl.

He left the band in 1984 and performed in several other iconic Australian bands throughout his career, including Beasts of Bourbon and The Scientists.