Jon English | |
|---|---|
 English performing at Celebrate Australia! onAustralia Day 2010 | |
| Born | Jonathan James English (1949-03-26)26 March 1949 |
| Died | 9 March 2016(2016-03-09) (aged 66) Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia |
| Alma mater | Cabramatta High School |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actor, musician, songwriter |
| Years active | 1970–2016 |
| Known for | Jesus Christ Superstar "Turn the Page" Against the Wind "Six Ribbons" The Pirates of Penzance |
| Spouse | Carmen Sora (1969 til his death) |
| 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 forSebastian Hardie but left to take on the role ofJudas Iscariot in the Australian version of thestage musicalJesus 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 seriesAgainst the Wind he won theTV WeekLogie Award for 'Best New Talent in Australia'.[4] He also co-wrote and performed the score withMario Millo (ex-Sebastian Hardie).[4] The series had international release, known asMot alla vindar (1980) inSwedish, where "Six Ribbons" was released as a single, both single and the soundtrack album peaked at No.1 on the Norwegian charts;[5] the first single, "Six Ribbons" and the album, peaked at No.4 on theSwedish charts.[6]
From 1983 to 1985, English won fourMo Awards with three consecutive 'Entertainer of the Year' awards and a further 'Male Vocal Performer' in 1985.[7][8][9] English has performed inGilbert and Sullivan'soperettasThe Pirates of Penzance,The Mikado andH.M.S. Pinafore from 1984.[10][11] Performances ofEssgee 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]
Jonathan James English was born in 1949 inHampstead,London, to Sydney and Sheila English, with siblings Janet, Jeremy and Jill.[10] Sheila had worked as a hospital worker, teacher and ambulance driver; Sydney was working in air cargo forKLM and was moved toSydney Airport.[10] Sheila and the children followed, when the family emigrated to Australia in 1961 onRMSOrion with English turning 12 years old just before calling in atFremantle.[10]
Sydney had bought a house inCabramatta, where young Jon attendedCabramatta 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 theSydney Stadium to seethe Beatles perform during their 1964 Australian tour.[10]
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' "Twist and Shout".[10] His earliest known band was Zenith in 1965, formed at Cabramatta High School, and according to English "they were crap".[10] Next was Gene Chandler & the Interns, which included guitarist Graham Ford, drummer Richard Lillico, bass guitarist Peter Plavsic and English as vocalist and rhythm guitarist. At the same time, he played Lock for the Parramatta Eels reserve grade team.[12]
Ford foundedSebastian Hardie Blues Band in 1967 with Lillico and new band members.[13][14] They playedR&B and soulcovers but disbanded by early 1968.[15] When Ford reformed the band later in 1968, he recruited English and Peter Plavsic again,Anatole Kononewsky on keyboards and Peter's brother Alex Plavsic on drums.[15] They had dropped the 'Blues Band' part to play more pop oriented music and were the backing band for legendary Australian rockerJohnny O'Keefe during 1969.[15] Covering songs from theRolling Stones, theBeatles,Bob Dylan,Otis Redding andWilson Pickett they built a reputation in the Sydneypub scene.[15][16]
Also attending Cabramatta High School, but one year lower was Carmen Sora; Sora and English married in September 1969 when she was 19 and he was 20.[10] In January 1972, English left Sebastian Hardie when he won the role ofJudas Iscariot in the Australian version ofJesus Christ Superstar from May 1972.[1][4] Sebastian Hardie were later joined byMario Millo on vocals and lead guitar and Toivo Pilt on keyboards. By 1974 they had become Australia's firstsymphonic rock band and releasedFour Moments in August 1975, which was produced by English.[15]
Australian theatre producerHarry M. Miller and theatre directorJim Sharman had worked on the stage musicalHair and kept some of the cast and crew for their next project, the Australian version ofJesus Christ Superstar byTim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber.[1] Miller and Sharman chose English, from over 2,000 applicants,[17] to take the starring role ofJudas Iscariot alongside fellow stars Trevor White (ex-Sounds Unlimited) as Jesus Christ andMichele Fawdon asMary Magdalene.[1]
The initial run was from 4 May 1972, at Sydney'sCapitol Theatre, to February 1974. With over 700 shows, it included other Australian music/theatre performersReg Livermore (fromHair, later inThe Rocky Horror Show),John Paul Young (later a solo singer with "Love is in the Air"),Marcia Hines (fromHair, took over as Mary Magdalene in 1973, later a solo singer with "You"),Doug Parkinson (Doug Parkinson in Focus had a hit with "Dear Prudence", took over from Livermore) andStevie Wright (ex-the Easybeats, later a solo singer with "Evie").[1]
Jesus Christ Superstar – Original Australian Cast Recording was released byMCA in 1972 with English and other cast members performing vocals for a studio recording.[1] A documentary of the production was broadcast on national TV, it contained footage of performances and interviews with cast members. English reprised his role of Judas in the 1975 and 1978 productions.[17] During 1974, English co-wrote, with Roy Ritchie, the balletPhases which was performed by theNew South Wales Dance Company at theSydney Opera House.[17] While performing inSuperstar, English also performed as a rock vocalist both with bands, Tapestry, Pulsar and Duck, and solo.[12]
In March 1973, he sang on the studio cast recording of Reg Livermore andPatrick Flynn'srock opera,Ned Kelly, and used some of theSuperstar chorus band to help record his debut solo album,Wine Dark Sea released on Warm & Genuine Records/Phonogram Records.[4] His debut single "Handbags and Gladrags", released at the same time, was a cover of theMike d'Abo song, which had been aTop 40 hit in the UK for singerChris Farlowe in 1967.[4] English's version peaked at No.50 on the Australian singles charts.[3] His second single from the album was theWebber /Rice song "Close Every Door" from theirJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat stage musical.[4]
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 fellowSuperstar 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 albumWords 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 musicalThe Bacchoi in 1974 forNimrod Theatre Company;[4][17] and in minor TV roles in police dramasMatlock Police in 1975,Homicide in 1976 andChopper Squad in 1978. A recurring role inNumber 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'sSeven Network and Pegasus Productions approached English to take the role of Jonathan Garrett in the historical romance miniseriesAgainst the Wind. Prior to production he asked if he could organise the score andsoundtrack with his friend,Mario Millo.[10][18]
From the soundtrack, "Six Ribbons" was released as a single by English and Millo. It peaked at No.5 on the National singles charts and the soundtrack peaked at No.10 on the National albums charts.[3] On 16 March 1979 English won theTV WeekLogie Award for 'Best New Talent in Australia' for his acting performance inAgainst the Wind, the programme won two other Logie Awards.[19] English won the 'Most Popular Male Performer' award at the 1979TV Week/CountdownMusic Awards.[20]
He released his firstcompilation albumEnglish History in August, which peaked at No.4 on the national albums charts[3] and sold over 180,000 copies.[21] Singles success with "Get Your Love Right", which peaked at No.27 and "Hot Town", which peaked at No.11;[3] prompted English to form Baxter Funt, containing John Coker (bass), Greg Henson (drums), Tony Naylor (guitar; ex-Bootleg Family Band/Avalanche), Mike Wade (guitar) and Peter White (keyboards).[4][12] Henson and Wade had been in theSuperstar chorus band from 1972 and, as part of Baxter Funt, they were taken on a national tour and then internationally.[4]
In April 1980, English releasedCalm Before the Storm which peaked at No.17 on the albums charts, with a single "Carmilla" peaking at No.27;[3] this was followed by the less successfulIn Roads from 1981 and single "Straight from the Heart".[4] Meanwhile,Against the Wind was shown on international TV stations in United Kingdom and other parts of Europe asGegen den Wind in Germany andMot alla vindar inScandinavia.[22] Success in Scandinavia included the soundtrack peaking at No.1 on the Norwegian Albums charts and double-A sided single, "Mot alla vendor"/"Six Ribbons" peaked at No.1 on the Norwegian Singles charts.[5]
English History, his compilation album also peaked at No.1, follow up albumsCalm Before the Storm andIn Roads both reached the Top Ten in Norway.[5] InSweden the soundtrack and the "Six Ribbons" single both peaked at No.4 on the relevant charts in 1980, laterEnglish History and "Hollywood Seven" reached the top twenty in their charts.[6] In 1981, English toured the United Kingdom and Scandinavia with Mario Millo (guitars, ex-Sebastian Hardie), (guitar), Jackie Orszaczky (bass; ex-Syrius,Bakery,Marcia Hines Band), Coz Russo (keyboards), Richard Gawned (tenor sax, flute; ex-Marcia Hines Band) and Nick Lister (drums; ex-Kush).[4]
In June 1982, the live double album,Beating the Boards was released, with backing by the Foster Brothers containing John Coker (bass), John Dallimore (guitar, flute, vocals; ex-Redhouse), Peter Deacon (keyboards, vocals), Greg Henson (drums) and Keith Kerwin (guitar, vocals; ex-Southern Star Band). The single "Beating the Boards' was released in June 1982 and peaked at No.97. English teamed with formerSuperstar co-lead,Marcia Hines, to produce July 1982'smini-albumJokers and Queens and its self-titled single, the album peaked at No.36 on the Australian albums charts and the single reached No.62 on the singles charts.[3][4]Some People... was released in 1982 and produced the top 50 single "Some People (Have All The Fun)". In August 1984, English andRenée Geyer released "Every Beat of My Heart" from theStreet Hero soundtrack.[citation needed]
In 1984, English wrote the national anthem forHutt River Province.[23]
English took on the role of Pirate King for the first time in the 1984 production ofGilbert and Sullivan'scomic operaThe Pirates of Penzance alongsideJune Bronhill and fellow actor/singerSimon Gallaher as Frederic. English estimates he has performed his favorite role of Pirate King over 1,000 times.[10] He later took on other stage musicals, includingRasputin (1987) andBig River (1988),[12] toured with various line-ups of the Foster Brothers and releasedSome People... (1983) produced by David Mackay,Dark Horses (1987) andThe Busker (1988), with his best charting Australian single from these being "Some People (Have all the Fun)" which peaked at No.50 in 1983.[3] During 1983–85, English won fourMo Awards with three consecutive 'Entertainer of the Year' awards and a further 'Male Vocal Performer' in 1985.[7][8][9]
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 theARIA Charts.
In 1990, English releasedBusking/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,Paris. At theARIA Music Awards of 1991, the album won theARIA Award for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album.[citation needed].
During 1991—93, English played the main role of Bobby Rivers in the TV sitcomAll Together Now. His role of a fadedone hit wonder rock star displayed his acting and comedy skills during 101 episodes.[4][10] English returned to stage musicals to play roles in Simon Gallaher's production companyEssgee Entertainment's trilogy of updatedGilbert and Sullivan works: Pirate King inThe Pirates of Penzance (1994), Pooh-Bah inThe Mikado (1995) and Dick Deadeye inH.M.S. Pinafore (1997).[11] A performance of each production was broadcast on Australian TV, then released on VHS video and later on DVD.[11]
In 1995,Jon English, a portrait by artist Danelle Bergstrom, won the 'Packing Room Prize' in theArchibald Prize.[24]
From 1997 to June 1998, English toured his own musical show,Turn the Page. Later in 1998, English toured theMichael Frayn showNoises Off. In 1999, English toured Australia and New Zealand performing inA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum[citation needed]
In 2000, English finished another musical project calledBuskers and Angels, which toured September and October 2000 to warm reviews, and subsequently releasing a CD of the same name. At theGimme Ted benefit concert on 10 March 2001, English was backed by his former band, Sebastian Hardie, for two of his songs.[25] He released the amateur rights to his rock operaParis and it was first performed in 2003 in Sydney andGosford, New South Wales, with English assisting in the direction of the production and appearing as the Fisherman in one performance at Gosford.[26]
The piece was revived inMelbourne in 2004[26] and inAdelaide in 2008.[27] 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 ofDad's Army touring through Australia andNew Zealand.[10]
In 2006, English toured the country again as part of theCountdown Spectacular. Also in 2007, English and Peter Cupples toured their collaborative showUncorked. Later in 2007, English filmed a children's mini-series titledTime Trackers inNew 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 titledThe Rock Show,[28] arevue featuring classic rock music of the '60s and '70s, including songs bythe Rolling Stones,Led Zeppelin,Bob Dylan,Deep Purple,Elton John and other high-profile musicians of those decades.[29] It was conceived by "Paris" collaborator and director Stuart Smith with musical director Isaac Hayward.[30] In 2010 "The Rock Show" made two appearances inTasmania in support of the "Save the Tasmanian Devil" breeding programme.[29] English was an ambassador for the programme.[31]The Rock Show toured until 2013, with a CD/DVD released in 2012. In 2010, English played the title role inThe Removalists byDavid Williamson at the Perth Theatre Company.[32]
In 2012, English returned to Tasmania, working with Encore Theatre, for a revival ofJesus Christ Superstar, with English in the role ofPilate. Funds raised at each performance and at theLauncestonpreview were donated to the programme.[31] In 2013 Jon English played at theSweden Rock Festival, backed up by Swedish hard rock band Spearfish.[33]
In 2015, English returned once again to play theSweden 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.[citation needed]
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 anaortic aneurysm. He died following post-operative complications in the late evening hours of 9 March 2016, seventeen days short of his 67th birthday.
A public memorial service commemorating his life was held at theCapitol 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 andJohn Waters among others.[34][35]
English described himself as a "passionate" supporter of the Australianrugby league teamParramatta Eels.[36][37] He also supported theFitzroy Football Club and launched hisSome People album atDallas 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]
TheARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres ofAustralian music. They commenced in 1987.[39]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Paris (with David Mackay) | Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album | Won |
| Best Adult Contemporary Album | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | The Rock Show | Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album | Nominated |
Countdown was an Australian pop music TV series on national broadcasterABC-TV from 1974–1987, it presented music awards from 1979–1987, initially in conjunction with magazineTV Week. The TV Week / Countdown Awards were a combination of popular-voted and peer-voted awards.[40]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | himself | Most Outstanding Achievement | Nominated |
| Most Popular Male Performer | Won | ||
| 1980 | himself | Most Popular Male Performer | Nominated |
The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as theMo 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.[41]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Jon English | Entertainer of the Year | Won |
| 1984 | Jon English | Entertainer of the Year | Won |
| 1985 | Jon English | Male Vocal Entertainer of the Year | Won |
| Jon English | Entertainer of the Year | Won | |
| 2011 | Jon English –The Rock Show | Best Rock Band or Performer of the Year | Won |
| 2012 | Jon English Band | Best Rock Act of the Year | Won |
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| National | |
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| People | |
