The lead singer of The Chills died unexpectedly on Sunday, aged 61, prompting an outpouring of tributes from musicians, friends and fans from all over the world.
Mr Radich joined the chorus of tributes yesterday, calling Phillipps a "brilliant song writer", "native son" and a "musical genius".
"His ethereal tunes became deeply evocative of the city; I especially think of the Pink Frost video with the footage of the track to Lovers’ Leap."
![Martin Phillipps at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum's permanent section devoted to The Dunedin Sound....](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/styles/odt_landscape_extra_large_4_3/public/dunedin_sound_051212.jpg?itok=AyaYVHiU)
He also referenced The Chills’ Heavenly Pop Hit and I Love My Leather Jacket in his short tribute.
"His music spread around the world and in doing so made a name for our fair city; forever associated with the joys his music brought.
"The legacy of music is that the pleasure of his heavenly pop hits will live on after him.
"I expect there will be many people - in Dunedin and around the planet - who will don their leather jackets like a great big hug, because they love their vanished friend."
Cr Mandy Mayhem also provided a potted history of Phillipps’ musical career in her tribute.
"The singer, songwriter and guitarist was a pioneer of the Ōtepoti Dunedin Sound.
"Martin had a huge worldwide fan-base ... his music impacted on generations of people.
"For the people of Dunedin, his music was about the landscape and the imagery that his lyrics evoked."
![A floral posy placed on a traffic-control box featuring a tribute to Dunedin band The Chills in...](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/story/2024/08/chills_flowers_310724.jpg)
She said Phillipps was a huge music fan, who made every effort to attend gigs and support upcoming musicians.
"He kept incredible archives over the years, and generously donated them to the Hocken Library, including the iconic leather jacket.
"Martin was kind, intelligent, approachable, and always had time for you ... A mighty totara has fallen, and we will not see the likes of him again."
Cr Sophie Barker also wore her The Chills T-shirt in tribute at the meeting.
Phillipps’ funeral will be held at 2pm on Friday, August 9, at Hope and Sons, Dunedin.
It will be followed by a private cremation.
The funeral will also be livestreamed.