Australian musician Paul Gray, who shot to fame as the vocalist and songwriter for 1980's pop group Wa Wa Nee, has died.

Gray, who was 53, had been diagnosed with a bone marrow cancer, known as Multiple Myeloma or Kahler's Disease.

Gray died on Tuesday but his family waited a day to post the news on Wa Wa Nee's Facebook page asking for people to honour their need to privately grieve.

"It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we announce that Paul Gray passed away peacefully," the message read. "We would like to thank all the doctors, hospital staff, relatives, friends and fans for the overwhelming support given to Paul and our family while he heroically battled Multiple Myeloma."