Country

:

Australia

Birth

:

March 26, 1949 in London, England

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Jon English was a renowned Australian musician, singer, songwriter, and actor who made a significant contribution to the Australian music industry. He was born on March 26, 1949, in Hampstead, London, England, to parents who were both musical performers. His father, Cyril English, was a pianist, and his mother, Sheila English, was a singer. Jon English grew up in a musical environment and started playing the piano at a young age. In 1961, Jon English migrated to Australia with his family and settled in Cabramatta, New South Wales. He attended Cabramatta High School, where he formed his first band, The Jesters. The band played at local gigs and events, and Jon English started to develop his skills as a performer and songwriter. In 1972, Jon English joined the Australian production of the rock musical "Jesus Christ Superstar," playing the role of Judas Iscariot. The musical was a huge success, and Jon English's performance received critical acclaim. He went on to perform in other musicals, including "The Pirates of Penzance" and "The Mikado." In 1973, Jon English released his debut album, "Wine Dark Sea," which featured a mix of rock, folk, and classical music. The album received positive reviews and established Jon English as a solo artist. He went on to release several more albums, including "It's All a Game," "English History," and "Some People." In 1978, Jon English represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Words." Although he did not win, his performance was well-received, and the song became a hit in Australia and Europe. Throughout his career, Jon English collaborated with many other musicians and artists, including Marcia Hines, John Farnham, and Olivia Newton-John. He also wrote and performed music for films and television shows, including the theme song for the Australian television series "Against the Wind." In addition to his music career, Jon English was also a successful actor, appearing in several Australian television shows and films. He won the Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent in 1979 for his role in the television series "Against the Wind." Jon English's contribution to the Australian music industry was recognized with several awards and honors. He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1992 and was awarded the Order of Australia in 2016 for his services to the performing arts. Tragically, Jon English passed away on March 9, 2016, at the age of 67, following complications from surgery. His death was a great loss to the Australian music industry, and he is remembered as a talented and versatile performer who made a significant contribution to Australian music and culture.

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