Tuesday, March 19, 2024
22.4 C
Melbourne

Jon English: 26 March 1949 – 9 March 2016

Rob Greaves
Rob Greaves
I have been with the Toorak Times since April 2012. I worked as Senior Editor of the Toorak Times until 2023, when I retired. I now work as a special features contributor for both the Toorak Times and Tagg. I've been in the Australian music scene as a musician since 1964, and have worked in radio and TV and newspapers (when they were actually printed on paper) as well as working in the film industry, as the Film Unit manager on Homicide for several years. I also have extensive experience in audio production and editing.

Jon

Jon English is the second major musical star to have passed this week, and his loss will be deeply felt. It appears as though he passed away as a result of complications following an operation.

On passing away he was surrounded by family members, including his four children, wife Carmen, sister Janet and brother Jeremy, as well as other close family members.

Born in England Jon made Australia his home when he arrived in early 1961. In 1967 he became a member of the progressive rock group, Sebastian Hardie. Jon was the rhythm guitarist and vocalist.

His imposing presence on stage along with the power of his voice led him into a very successful career when he won the part of Judas Iscariot in the Australian stage show of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Jon-in-Jesus-Christ-Superstar

This success led to what can only be described as an amazing career on stage and screen. I recall working as the Film Unit manager on the TV Show Homicide. Jon starred in an episode, and while most of the big name actors were friendly, they largely kept to themselves.

Not Jon, he was instantly one of the “boys”, he hung out with the crew and his humour was totally infectious. He had no pretentions and that week he was with us, was probably as he was all the time. In fact he went on to star in a number of TV shows during the 1970’s including the popular Channel 7 production of Against the Wind.

He continued to release albums and singles, including Turn The Page, his first number 1 hit.

This video clip features the closing credits from the 1974 “Homicide” program “Stopover”. That was the episode that featured Jon, and also featured “Turn The Page” from his album “It’s All A Game”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KREhGEcq6fU

In 1984 he took on the role of the Pirate King in Gilbert and Sullivans Pirates of Penzance where he estimated he played the role over 1,000 times.

Pirates-of-Penzance

From 1990 through to 1993 he played the main role of Bobby Rivers in the TV sitcom, All Together. The role required him to play a faded one hit wonder rock star and he consistently displayed brilliant acting and comedic skills throughout the whole 101 episodes.

All-Together-Now

Throughout the turn of the millennium he continued performing and writing film and TV scores and soundtracks. He continued his stage career in productions such as the touring “Dad’s Army” show which played throughout Australia and New Zealand, where he played Sergeant Wilson.

In 2009 he toured in a new production titled “The Rock Show”, a show featuring classic rock music of the ’60s and ’70s. This was right up his alley because at heart, he was a rock and roll singer – a great rock and roll singer!

In 2012 he revived the part of Pilate in a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar in Tasmania – proving once and for all that –

He was not just a great performer in the show Superstar – he was a SUPERSTAR!

Jon’s passing will leave a mighty hole in theatre and stage productions. He will also leave a mighty big hole in the hearts of his friends, both those in real life, and those in the audiences.

JON_ENGLISHYou were a great man and a great performer Jon English – we will remember you with fondness.

 

Rob Greaves

I have been with the Toorak Times since April 2012. I worked as Senior Editor of the Toorak Times until 2023, when I retired. I now work as a special features contributor for both the Toorak Times and Tagg. I've been in the Australian music scene as a musician since 1964, and have worked in radio and TV and newspapers (when they were actually printed on paper) as well as working in the film industry, as the Film Unit manager on Homicide for several years. I also have extensive experience in audio production and editing.

- Advertisement -
  • auto draft
  • tagg gig guide - add event
- Advertisement -
  • best in travel australia - sidebar 600x300
  • cocktails 300x600
- Advertisement -

CONTINUE READING