Jonathan James "Jon" English (26 March 1949 – 9 March 2016) was an English-born Australian singer, songwriter, musician and actor whose career spanned more than five decades. Known for his powerful stage presence, dramatic vocals and distinctive comedic flair, English worked across rock music, musical theatre, television, film and concert touring, becoming a mainstay of Australian entertainment. Jonathan James "Jon" English ... becoming a mainstay of Australian entertainment.[1]
Early life
changeEnglish was born in Hampstead, London, and migrated to Sydney in 1961 when his father took a position with KLM's air cargo division. He grew up in western Sydney with siblings Janet, Jeremy and Jill. Enthralled by the British pop explosion, he was taken by his sister to see The Beatles at Sydney Stadium in 1964, a formative experience that fuelled his desire to perform.
Largely self-taught on piano, guitar, bass and drums, English attended Cabramatta High School where he played in several bands, eventually becoming lead vocalist for the Sebastian Hardy Blues Band. This group later evolved into the progressive rock band Sebastian Hardie.
In 1969 he married Carmen Sora, whom he had met at school.
Career
changeStage
changeEnglish came to national prominence when cast as Judas Iscariot in the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar (1972–1974). Chosen from approximately 2000 auditionees, he performed the role more than 700 times. Lyricist Sir Tim Rice praised English’s “original and powerful interpretation”. He later returned to the production in 2012 as Pontius Pilate.
Across his career he appeared in a wide range of theatrical works including Ned Kelly, Bacchoi, Rasputin, Big River, Noises Off, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Dad's Army, Hairspray, Are You Being Served? and Spamalot.
English became particularly associated with Gilbert and Sullivan. With Essgee Entertainment he starred in The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore and, most memorably, as the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance, a role he performed more than 1000 times.
He also wrote and produced original stage works. In 1974 he co-wrote the ballet Phases for the NSW Dance Company. His long-developed rock opera Paris (Prince of Troy), recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic and featuring guest vocalists including Barry Humphries and Demis Roussos, won the 1991 ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album.
Music
changeEnglish released his debut album Wine Dark Sea in 1973, followed by It’s All a Game. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s he became a significant chart presence with singles including "Handbags and Gladrags", "Turn the Page", "Hollywood Seven", "Words Are Not Enough", "Get Your Love Right" and "Hot Town". Many of these were later compiled on the successful double album English History.
His most enduring hit, Six Ribbons (1978), co-written with Sebastian Hardie’s Mario Millo for the soundtrack to Against the Wind, achieved strong popularity both in Australia and Scandinavia.
English remained active as a touring performer throughout his life, fronting numerous pub-rock bands including the Jon English Band, Foster Brothers, Duck, Pulsar and Baxter Funt. In later years he created The Rock Show, a stage concert celebrating the music of artists who influenced him, performed with a rotating ensemble of younger musicians.
Television and film
changeBefore his musical breakthrough English appeared in television series such as Matlock Police, Homicide and Chopper Squad. In 1978 he starred as Jonathan Garrett in the historical miniseries Against the Wind , for which he won the 1979 TV Week Logie Award for Best New Talent.
He later became widely known to a new generation of viewers for his comedic role as aging rocker Bobby Rivers in the sitcom All Together Now (1991–1993), which ran for more than 100 episodes. His film credits include Touch and Go (1980), Walk the Talk (2000) and the children's series Time Trackers (2008), in which he appeared as Old Troy.His film credits include Touch and Go ... Time Trackers (2008).[2]
A portrait of English by artist Danelle Bergstrom won the Packing Room Prize at the Archibald Prize.
Awards
change- 1979 – Logie Award for Best New Talent (Against the Wind)
- 1991 – ARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album (Paris, with David McKay)
- Multiple Mo Awards recognising his work as an entertainer and vocalist
Personal life
changeEnglish had four children. He was a devoted supporter of the Parramatta Eels and also followed the Fitzroy Football Club. Known for his genial, generous nature, he was widely regarded with affection by colleagues across the Australian entertainment industry.
Death
changeEnglish died on 9 March 2016 in Newcastle, New South Wales, following complications from surgery relating to an aortic aneurysm. He was two weeks short of his 67th birthday. He was survived by his wife Carmen, his partner and publicist Coralea Cameron, his siblings and his four children. English died on 9 March 2016 ... relating to an aortic aneurysm.[3]
References
change- ↑ Baker, Glenn A. (11 March 2016). "Jon English obituary: from rock to opera, a mainstay of Aussie entertainment". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ↑ "Jon English – IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ↑ "Aussie singer Jon English dead at 66". The Australian. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
External links
change- Jon English on IMDb
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