We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bernie Lynch, songwriter and founder of legendary pop group, Eurogliders.
Lynch was a pivotal figure in Australian music, best known as the creative force behind the Perth band which he founded in 1980. A gifted songwriter, guitarist and performer, he wrote all of the band’s biggest songs, including the enduring hit “Heaven (Must Be There)”, which became one of the most recognisable pop songs of the era. He joined APRA as a member in 1981.
Formed after earlier projects including The Stockings and Living Single, Eurogliders came together when Lynch recruited vocalist Grace Knight, who had recently moved to Perth from the UK. The band enjoyed significant national and international success, with “Heaven (Must Be There)” peaking at number two on the Australian charts in 1984 and later reaching the US Billboard charts. Other hits included “Can’t Wait to See You” and “We Will Together”.
Eurogliders initially disbanded at the end of the ’80s, but reunited several times in the decades that followed, releasing new music and touring intermittently. Their most recent album, The Blue Kiss Project, was released in 2021 and the band continued performing until late 2025.
Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, says: “Bernie was a hugely important songwriter whose work helped define Australian pop music in the 1980s. His songs continue to resonate decades later and his contribution to our cultural landscape is undeniable. Our thoughts are with Bernie’s family, friends and fellow musicians at this time.”