Pete, 49, passed away suddenly on Thursday from a suspected heart attack. He collapsed while riding his pushbike up Beauty Point Drive, something he did effortlessly every day. 

Friend Steve Watts paid tribute to the popular father and drummer, who raised his six children after the untimely death of his wife Joanne in 2003 to cancer at the age of 36.

“Wagga has lost one its most unique and talented drummers and a honest and dedicated father,” Steve said. 

"He would never let you down and he really was so big-hearted."

The son of Michael and Elza Philpot and brother of Jason Philpot, Pete married Joanne Ryan in 1998.

He is survived by his children Simmone, Zac, Kyle, Reece, Hayley and Kellsie.

When his wife passed, he faced the toughest circumstances in life like an “absolute champion” and was “all-ticker”.

“He would never let you down and he really was so big-hearted,” Steve said.

“He was the most loyal of friends and to everyone who really knew him, it felt like an honour because the Pete Philpot club was for life. 

“He was everyone’s favourite naughty boy.” 

He worked as a brickies labourer and also achieved electronic qualifications as a data technician, working most recently at Waters Automatic Doors.

Pete brought his talents as a drummer to Manticore, Hard Corefiller, Kong Fuzi and Strippers From Mars with Steve Watts, Shane Slater, Jason Holt, Harley Grear, Adrian Hilton, Tim Crocker, Dave Delaney and Nathan Irilli. 

He was also special friends with Leeanne Twaddell. 

Steve met Pete in school, they performed in Manticore together and were later each other's best man. 

“When Shane talked me into starting a band in the early 90s, we needed a drummer,” he said. 

“I was at The Duke and there was Pete and he gave me this s**t-eating grin and I realised how friendly he was.

“The next day I got home and the phone rang and it was Pete saying ‘Where have you been? I have been trying to call ya.’ and that was it.” 

Steve said the bands that Pete played with meant the world to him and “if he was playing for you, he knew your songs inside and out”. 

A gofundme ‘Philpot family funeral and expenses’ has already raised more than $10,000. For more information click here.