Jon English
Jon English | |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Carmen Sora (1969–2016 his death) |
| Partner | Coralea Cameron (2006–2013) |
| Children | 4 |
| Website | www |
Jonathan James English (26 March 1949 – 9 March 2016) was an English-born Australian singer, songwriter, musician and actor. He emigrated from England to Australia with his parents in 1961. He was an early vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Sebastian Hardie but left to take on the role of Judas Iscariot in the Australian version of the stage musical Jesus Christ Superstar from May 1972,[1] which was broadcast on television.[2] English was also a solo singer; his Australian top twenty hit singles include "Turn the Page", "Hollywood Seven", "Words are Not Enough", "Six Ribbons" and "Hot Town".[3][4]
For his starring role in the 1978 Australian TV series
From 1983 to 1985, English won four Mo Awards with three consecutive 'Entertainer of the Year' awards and a further 'Male Vocal Performer' in 1985.[7][8][9] English has performed in Gilbert and Sullivan's operettas The Pirates of Penzance, The Mikado and H.M.S. Pinafore from 1984.[10][11] Performances of Essgee Entertainment's productions of the Gilbert and Sullivan trilogy from 1994 to 1997 were broadcast on Australian TV. They were all released on VHS and subsequently on DVD.[11]
Biography
1949–65: early years
Jonathan James English was born in 1949 in
Sydney had bought a house in Cabramatta, where young Jon attended Cabramatta High School.[10] Sydney was a self-taught piano player and dabbled with guitar and drums, he bought a guitar for the young Jon English.[10] Janet took her younger brother to the Sydney Stadium to see the Beatles perform during their 1964 Australian tour.[10]
1965–72: First bands and Rugby League player
English's first rock gig occurred when his neighbour's band needed a guitarist, he was about 16 and mid-performance was called upon to do vocals, he sang the Beatles' "
1972–1979: Actor and solo performer
Australian theatre producer
It's All a Game, his second solo album, was released in 1974 on Warm & Genuine and featured "Turn the Page" which peaked at No.20 on the national singles charts in February 1975.[3][4] "Lovin' Arms" was released in June 1975 as the lead single from his third studio album, Hollywood Seven The album produced three singles including "Hollywood Seven" which peaked at No.13 in May 1976.[3][4] English performed a duet with fellow Superstar lead, Trevor White to release a single "Laid Back in Anger" but it had no singles chart success.[3][4] His next album, Minutes to Midnight was released in 1977.[3] English created the Jon English Band for touring with Steve Doran (keyboards), Danny Groves (drums), Eric Macitchka (guitar), Rick Mellick (keyboards), James Rattray (bass) and Mike Wade (guitar).[4] His fifth studio album Words are not Enough from 1978 contained the title track which peaked at No.6 and "Night in Paradise" which peaked at No.44.[3][4] English also performed in the stage musical The Bacchoi in 1974 for Nimrod Theatre Company;[4][17] and in minor TV roles in police dramas Matlock Police in 1975, Homicide in 1976 and Chopper Squad in 1978. A recurring role in Number 96 was as a cultish drug lord, "The Master", in 1976. English described these roles "I was doing a lot of police shows in those days. I got to do them all. I was always a drug-crazed axe murdering hippy."[10]
In 1978, TV's
From the soundtrack, "
1980s: International success
In April 1980, English released
English took on the role of Pirate King for the first time in the 1984 production of
In 1988, English collaborated on the song "You're Not Alone" which was The Australian Official Olympic Team Song. It peaked at number 23 on the ARIA Charts.
1990s: All Together Now
In 1990, English released Busking/Always the Busker but the album did not chart. In November 1990, "Love Has Power" was released as a single from his musical concept album,
During 1991—93, English played the main role of Bobby Rivers in the TV sitcom
In 1995, Jon English, a portrait by artist Danelle Bergstrom, won the 'Packing Room Prize' in the Archibald Prize.[23]
From 1997 to June 1998, English toured his own musical show, Turn the Page. Later in 1998, English toured the Michael Frayn show Noises Off. In 1999, English toured Australia and New Zealand performing in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
2000s
In 2000, English finished another musical project called Also in 2008, a re-worked version was performed in Sydney, with English as Menelaus. This revised production was met with generally positive reviews, but a few months later, English and Mackay completely updated the show.
In 2004, English appeared as Sergeant Wilson in stage productions of Dad's Army touring through Australia and New Zealand.[10]
In 2006, English toured the country again as part of the Countdown Spectacular. Also in 2007, English and Peter Cupples toured their collaborative show Uncorked. Later in 2007, English filmed a children's mini-series titled Time Trackers in New Zealand, playing the role of a lovable but havoc raising hologram from the future.
In 2008, English was awarded a Life Membership to the Parramatta Eels Rugby Leagues Club. English was hired as a motivational coach for the 2009 season, when Parramatta lost the NRL Grand Final, having beaten 14 other teams in home and away games to get to the Premiership decider.
In 2009, he toured in a new production titled The Rock Show,[27] a revue featuring classic rock music of the '60s and '70s, including songs by the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Deep Purple, Elton John and other high-profile musicians of those decades.[28] It was conceived by "Paris" collaborator and director Stuart Smith with musical director Isaac Hayward.[29] In 2010 "The Rock Show" made two appearances in Tasmania in support of the "Save the Tasmanian Devil" breeding programme.[28] English was an ambassador for the programme.[30] The Rock Show toured until 2013, with a CD/DVD released in 2012. In 2010, English played the title role in The Removalists by David Williamson at the Perth Theatre Company.[31]
In 2012, English returned to Tasmania, working with Encore Theatre, for a revival of
In 2015, English returned once again to play the Sweden Rock Festival and during his stay in Sweden he decided to record a new solo album together with his friends in the band Spearfish. Many new songs were written and recordings were set to start March 14, 2016.
Death
In late February 2016, English was hospitalised due to "unexpected health problems" and was forced to cancel several scheduled performances due to planned surgery for an aortic aneurysm. He died following post-operative complications late in the evening of 9 March 2016, 17 days short of his 67th birthday.
A public memorial service commemorating his life was held at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney on the evening of 4 April 2016. The memorial took the form of a tribute concert and included performances by the Foster Brothers, John Paul Young, Simon Gallaher and John Waters among others.[33][34]
Interests outside the arts
English described himself as a "passionate" supporter of the Australian rugby league team Parramatta Eels.[35][36] He also supported the Fitzroy Football Club and launched his Some People album at Dallas Brooks Hall in Melbourne in May 1983 as a benefit for the club.[citation needed]
He also conducted music software courses at Sydney's Apple headquarters during the '90s.[citation needed]
Discography
Solo albums
Soundtrack albums
Filmography
Stage and theatre works
AwardsARIA Music AwardsThe Australian music. They commenced in 1987.[38]
Countdown Awards
Mo AwardsThe Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. English won six awards in that time.[40]
Other awards
Notes
References
External links
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