Update, 2pm:
Bendigo Stadium says it feels for fans of Mental As Anything, almost 200 of which had planned to see the band play at the venue on Friday.
Marketing and commercial partnerships manager Michael McIvor said the show's cancellation was sort of irrelevant compared with what Australian music had lost.
"It's huge," he said.
"These guys are legends of Aussie rock."
Mr McIvor said Bendigo Stadium staff were stunned and saddened when they learned Andrew "Greedy" Smith had died.
"We sort of just sat and paused for a moment when we heard the news," he said.
Mental As Anything's Bendigo concert would have been the biggest music event at the stadium this year.
1.37pm
The Bendigo band that was due to support Mental as Anything at its Bendigo show on Friday night said "Greedy" Smith's death was bad news for everyone.
Duo Snake and Rooster, made up of Sam Jacobs and Stewart Hassell, were set to share the stage with Mental as Anything on Friday.
"We were really excited about it and are obviously disappointed. Our thoughts go out to (Greedy's) family, friends and bandmates," Mr Jacobs said.
"Stewart and I are huge fans of all Australia rock and pop music from that era, so news like this is obviously very sad to people who are big Aussie rock fans."
Mr Jacobs said the chance to work with Mental as Anything came up with Bendigo Stadium management contacted the band.
"It was not just a chance to play on same stage as them but also meet those guys," Mr Jacobs said.
"It really is bad news for everybody, most of all (Greedy's) family and friends.
"We will have the night off on Friday and let it pass unheralded out of respect."
12.42pm
The death of Andrew "Greedy" Smith marks the end of an era for Mental As Anything, band manager Grant Bartlett said.
He confirmed the cancellation of the performance scheduled at Bendigo Stadium on Friday.
"With Greedy's passing, it is the end of it," Mr Bartlett said, referring to the band.
He said Greedy was Mental As Anything.
The Bendigo Stadium team took to Facebook to offer their condolences to the performer's family and fellow band members.
The stadium's Facebook post said people who had bought tickets would be contacted by Ticketek Australia and would receive full refunds.
- Emma D'Agostino
Earlier
Mental As Anything founding member and songwriter Andrew "Greedy" Smith has died after suffering a heart attack in his car. He was aged 63.
Band manager Grant Bartlett on Tuesday confirmed to AAP that Smith had suffered a heart attack while driving in Sydney on Monday evening. An ambulance arrived promptly to provide treatment but he died.
The band was lined up to perform at the Bendigo Stadium on Friday night.
Mr Bartlett, who has managed the Australian pop-rock band for 16 years, said Smith's fatal heart problem came as a surprise.
"One of the healthiest guys I've seen," Mr Bartlett said.
The band performed in southern NSW's Tathra on Saturday night and was scheduled to perform in Melbourne on Thursday. They were on a national tour which was set to culminate on the Central Coast on New Year's Eve.
Smith's publicist Dianna O'Neill on Tuesday told AAP she was also shocked by the musician's death, having known him for more than 30 years.
Smith had served as godfather to one of her children.
"He's one of our dearest and closest friends," Ms O'Neill said.
"I spoke to him two days ago ... I've never known him to be sick.
"What you see is what you get. Funny, jolly, he was sincere, caring ... just a really incredibly decent person who didn't have a bad word to say about anyone."
Mental As Anything was formed in Sydney in August 1977 by Smith, along with Reg Mombassa, Martin Plaza, Wayne "Bird" de Lisle and Peter O'Doherty. The band was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2009.
Smith was a vocalist, alongside Plaza, and keyboard player. Plaza is battling cancer.
Smith was the final original member of the touring group.
He also produced a solo album, Love Harmonica, in 1996.
Smith is survived by his fiancee Fiona Docker and son Harvey.
Australian Associated Press
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