Adam Rust, lead singer of Superlux
deb...@comcast.net
Rock singer dies in honeymoon tragedy
By SAM RICHES,
ANDREW HOUGH
and CARA JENKIN
23may05
THEY were married for just a week -- the lead singer and his biggest
fan -- when tragedy on a southern Tasmanian road tore them apart.
South Australian newlyweds Adam Rust and Jennifer Whalen were
honeymooning in Tasmania when they were involved in a high-speed
collision with a car driven by a P-plater about 9.30am on Saturday.
Mr Rust, 28, who was driving, died at the crash scene on the Lyell
Highway, 3km west of Granton.
Mr Rust's new wife Jennifer, 33, was last night in a serious but stable
condition in the intensive care unit of the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Friends, neighbours and members of the Adelaide music scene last night
paid tribute to Mr Rust, the lead singer of Adelaide rock group
Superlux.
They described him as an extremely caring person who was passionate
about life, especially music.
Best friend Peter Henry, 30, said Mr Rust was "a very passionate person
about life but also the people in his life".
"He was an unbelievable vocalist, his voice was amazing -- incredible,"
said Mr Henry, who attended Seaton High School with Mr Rust.
Fellow Superlux band member Jonathon De Conno, 30, said the newly
married couple were really genuine people. "He was a beautiful man with
a beautiful voice," Mr De Conno said.
"He was genuine, we had lots of fun together."
Mr De Conno's wife Jessica, 27, said Ms Whalen had been the classic
"groupie" -- always the first to start dancing to the music of her
beau's band.
The De Connos attended the Rusts' wedding at Woodstock Winery, McLaren
Vale, the previous weekend.
"It was a really good night," Mrs De Conno said. "Adam was always the
centre of attention.
"Jen was the stable one -- Adam was out there and Jen would bring him
back down to earth."
The Rusts' neighbours in Semaphore Park said the couple were very
friendly.
"I talked to him as he was going out of the driveway last week to go to
his wedding and they were very excited," one neighbour said.
"It is very sad."
The neighbour said Mr Rust had given her a CD that his band made.
Even though the CD was "pretty heavy", she said it was a lovely gesture
that reflected his personality.
Zac Coligan, from the Adelaide club The Jade Monkey where the band
sometimes played, remembered Mr Rust as an entertainer who was popular
with patrons.
"I wouldn't say a bad word about him," Mr Coligan said.
The accident happened in a 100km/h zone on the Lyell Highway.
The teenage driver of the other car was taken to Royal Hobart Hospital.
He was last night in a serious condition.