'My dad was an alcoholic': Singer Keith Urban opens up about late father Robert's addiction and says he was a 'physical disciplinarian'
Six months after the tragic death of his father, Keith Urban has opened up about him more candidly than ever before.
Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, the 48-year-old Australian country musician and husband of Nicole Kidman tells of his late father Robert's alcohol addiction and parenting style.
'My dad was an alcoholic, and I grew up in an alcoholic's house,' Keith admits.
Scroll down for video
Candid confession: Australian country singer Keith Urban has opened up about his late father Robert's alcohol addiction and parenting style
'My recollection is that he was a physical disciplinarian,' he continues, saying he doesn't recall his father ever telling him he loved him as a child.
Though Keith says his father would've told the story differently.
Share this article
'I don't think he was in denial, he genuinely had no recollection,' the musician tells the publication, saying his father would retort, "Hitting you? I never did that!".
He tells the publication that despite his tough upbringing, he still credits his father for much of his success, and wanted his father's 'approval' so decided to pursue a country music career as Robert was a fan of that particular genre.
Opening up: 'My dad was an alcoholic, and I grew up in an alcoholic's house,' Keith tells Rolling Stone, the singer pictured here with his mother Marienne and father Robert back in 2004
Indeed it was his father, who owned a convenience store in Caboolture, Queensland, who catapulted his son into the music world after putting an advertisement for a guitar teacher in his shop window when his son was a child.
The young Keith is then said to have taken lessons from the instructor, Sue McCarthy, now a close family friend.
Keith said a final farewell to his 73-year-old father Robert at a service in Caloundra, Queensland, in December last year, after he lost his battle with cancer.
Appreciative: He tells the publication that despite his tough upbringing, he still credits his father for much of his success
Musician: Keith says he wanted his father's 'approval' so decided to pursue a country music career as Robert was a fan of that particular genre
In a sweet tribute, Keith drove his dad's beloved Lincoln Continental to the funeral while another guest arrived on a Harley Davidson, a nod to Robert's passion for motorcycles.
Keith's wife Nicole and their daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret, appeared absent from the service.
At the time of his father's death, Keith released a statement to US Weekly confirming the news.
'I’ve been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support that [Nicole Kidman] and I, and our family, have received since my dad’s passing on Saturday night,' he said.
'His long battle with cancer is now over and he is finally at peace.'
Married: Keith is married to Australian actress Nicole Kidman, the pair sharing two daughter Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret
Most watched News videos
- Youths wield knife in daylight robbery attempt in Woolwich, London
- Sun coronal mass ejections leading up to last week's solar storm
- Youths shout abuse at local after warnings to avoid crumbling dunes
- King Charles unveils first official portrait since Coronation
- Moment British tourists scatter loved-one's ashes into sea in Turkey
- Boy mistakenly electrocutes his genitals in social media stunt
- British tourists fight with each other in a Majorcan tourist resort
- Terrifying moment people take cover in bus during prison van attack
- Emergency services on scene after gunmen ambush prison van in France
- 'Reuniting the right': Rees-Mogg calls for Reform UK to join tories
- Fighter jet bounces off runway after low-altitude triple barrel-roll
- Police cordon off Stamford Hill area after a woman was shot
