Phillip Cottrell died in hospital yesterday afternoon A Melbourne-based musician has written a song in tribute to slain Wellington journalist Phillip Cottrell, as he tries to cope with the killing of his friend. Brad Wolfe met Cottrell on Wellington's gay scene when he lived in the capital, before moving across the Tasman. He wrote the song Wanderlust last night, when he heard of the 43-year-old's death following a violent attack in the central city. "It's as much a victim impact statement as a song and a tribute to him," Wolfe says. "I knew Phil from Wellington and he was just the sweetest, most gentle guy. I'm deeply shaken and horrified by what has happened, especially as an ex-long-term resident of Wellington," he says. "It is an absolute tragedy that events like this are occurring there, and a huge loss for the world." Wolfe says he'd love his song to be of comfort to anyone, as he imagines there are a lot of distraught people right now. "As a songwriter, it is all I can do to write a tribute to him. I hate having had to do that, though. I should never have had to." You can listen to Wanderlust, by Brad Wolfe, below:
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 12th December 2011 - 7:16pm