Photo: Australian rock royalty King Stingray in January. Via Facebook.

King Stingray fans have been abuzz on social media for four months with concerns about the welfare of former frontman Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu.

The Northeast Arnhem Land surf-rock band band announced on Instagram on Wednesday they are parting ways with the founding member.

Yirrŋa was an integral player in the band, with rock royal ancestry in uncle Dr. M. Yunupiŋu, who was a founding member of iconic 80s band Yothu Yindi.

Yirrŋa and King Stingray guitarist Roy Kellaway (who is the son of Yothu Yindi bassist Stuart Kellaway) were childhood friends who later became bandmates.

Yirrŋa was noticeably absent from the band’s recent cover of “Oysters in my Pocket” by Royel Otis for Triple J Live A Version. He also didn’t perform at Woodford Folk Festival over New Year’s Eve.

Sunshine Coast residents were lucky to see one of Yirrŋa’s final performances when they played at Solbar in Maroochydore last year.

‘King Stingray singer is missing and no one is talking about it’

Reddit users first noticed Yirrŋa was “missing” from the band’s lineup last November in a Triple J sub-reddit.

In a post titled, ‘King Stingray singer is missing and no one is talking about it‘ the original poster says:

“In all their insta posts and latest like-a-version, King Stingray’s famous lead singer is missing!!

“Not sure why it hasn’t been mentioned being one of Australia’s hottest bands at the moment.

“Imagine Ocean Alley or DMAs suddenly having a different lead singer, I’m sure it would be a talking point.

“Is it because they’re both from East Arnhem Land and Triple J thought we wouldn’t notice??”

In one reply – which has the most ‘likes’ – a user retorts: “the f*ck are you talking about”?

Another person says: “Yeah, not ‘missing’ as in ‘missing person’ – just hasn’t been around the band in latest releases both social media and LAV.”

Two months ago another post appeared from a worried fan: “Has Yirrna left King Stingray quietly?”

A statement from King Stingray about their frontman

The band’s Instagram post reads: “Hey everyone we’ve got some news to share – King Stingray and Yirrnga have parted ways.

“To keep the fire burning we’re stoked to introduce the deadly Ngalakan Wanambi stepping up on vocals.

“He absolutely smashed it with us on our recent US tour and as always our main man Dima Burarrwanga will be bringing the energy as he always does.

“This For The Dreams tour is gonna be something really special – same King Stingray spirit, same unstoppable Yolngu rock and a whole lotta love. Can’t wait to see you all out there.

“Big Love,
“King Stingray.”

Photo: Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu via ABC

King Stingray to tour Australia before heading to Europe

New frontman Ngalakan Wanambi has big shoes to fill as he steps in to replace Yirrŋa, ahead of the band’s Australian and European tours.

The group are set to play at The Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane tomorrow night.

King Stingray head to EU/UK in May and June.

King Stingray Australian Tour Dates

Friday 21 March – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney

Saturday 22 March – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane

Friday 28 March – Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide

Saturday 29 March – Forum, Melbourne

Friday 4 April – Fremantle Arts Centre, Perth