Australian music legend Col Joye has passed away at the age of 89, marking the end of an era in Australian rock and roll. Known for pioneering Australia’s pop scene in the late 1950s and 60s, Joye wasn’t just a performer—he was a cultural architect who helped shape the very foundations of the local music industry.

Born Colin Frederick Jacobsen in 1936, he was professionally known as Col Joye and went on to become the first Australian pop performer to reach number one on local charts—well before international acts took over the radio waves.

He began his musical journey with The KJ Quintet, a jazz ensemble led by his brother Kevin Jacobsen, before morphing into the rock ‘n’ roll sensation Col Joye and the Joy Boys. That shift wasn’t just a name change—it marked the birth of mainstream Australian pop music.

Their big break came in 1957 at the Manly Jazzerama, and just two years later, their second single, “Bye Bye Baby,” stormed the Sydney charts, clinching the top spot. It was followed by three more top 10 hits, confirming Joye’s status as a homegrown icon.

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“A True Gentleman of the Industry”

Fellow Aussie singer-songwriter Normie Rowe paid an emotional tribute to Joye, calling him a “guiding light.”

“Col was in my psyche right throughout my entire life,” Rowe said in a heartfelt interview with ABC News. “I watched him and I thought, ‘If I’m going to be a singer, that’s the sort of singer I want to be.’”

Their bond deepened during the early 2000s when both men performed on the Long Way to the Top tour, a celebration of classic Australian rock. Rowe recalled how Joye would greet the touring band each morning with a ukulele and a fresh melody.

“He was almost like the den mother of the whole tour,” Rowe said. “We all revered him so much.”

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The Guitar That Said Goodbye

Perhaps the most touching moment came when Joye, knowing his performing days were over, handed over his cherished Maton guitar to Rowe.

“Colin said, ‘Yes, it’s my guitar. I won’t be going on stage anymore, so I wanted it to go to somebody who would play it,’” Rowe recalled.

That guitar is now set to be donated to a national museum, a symbolic gesture ensuring Joye’s spirit lives on in Australia’s cultural archives.

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More Than a Singer: A Music Mogul

Joye’s influence wasn’t confined to the stage. Alongside his brother Kevin, he launched Joye Music, a publishing, recording, and management company that revolutionized how Australian music was produced and distributed.

In fact, it was Joye who spotted the raw potential of the Bee Gees in 1961 during a performance in Surfers Paradise. He signed them to his label, and the Gibb brothers later provided backing vocals for his 1963 hit Starlight of Love.

Later, in 1973, his single Heaven Is My Woman’s Love became a national number-one hit, proving that Joye’s relevance stretched across decades.

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A Founding Father of Australian Music

In recognition of his incredible impact, Col Joye was among the first inductees into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Annabelle Herd, CEO of the Australian Recording Industry Association, shared the industry’s condolences:

“From music to TV, publishing to concert promotion, artist management and live performances, Col Joye made a remarkable contribution to Australian music for more than six decades.”

She highlighted that at a time when the industry was dominated by US and UK artists, Joye proved Australians were ready to embrace their own sound and voices.

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A Life That Echoes Through the Generations

Col Joye’s passing is more than the death of a musician—it’s the closing chapter of a golden era that gave birth to modern Australian pop. He wasn’t just a chart-topper; he was a mentor, a visionary, and a true gentleman.

Australian music legend Col Joye has died aged 89.

The country, pop and rock and roll singer, whose real name was Colin Frederick Jacobsen, was the first rock and roll singer to have a number one record Australia-wide. #9News

MORE: https://t.co/Gxld0pf7Ja pic.twitter.com/vz7Svu4H8r

— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS) August 5, 2025

While Joye may no longer strum his ukulele or grace the stage, his music and memory remain eternal. The Maton guitar now in the hands of Normie Rowe, soon to be preserved in a museum, is not just an instrument—it’s a relic of a man whose influence helped carve the very identity of Australian music.

For fans, family, and fellow artists alike, Joye’s death is a moment of mourning—but also a celebration of a life that gave so much joy.

Rest in peace, Col Joye. The spotlight may have dimmed, but your melody plays on.

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Cambridge, Massachusetts – Tom Lehrer, the man who fearlessly turned Cold War anxieties, political hypocrisies, and societal absurdities into timeless musical satire, has passed away at the age of 97. Known not only for his razor-sharp wit but also for his mathematical brilliance, Lehrer’s death on Saturday marks the end of an era where cleverness outshone controversy.

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The news was confirmed by longtime friend David Herder, who shared that Lehrer died at his home in Cambridge. No cause of death has been specified.

Born in 1928 in New York City, Tom Lehrer entered Harvard University at just 15, completing his mathematics degree by 18. While many prodigies might have pursued fame in academia or science, Lehrer found joy in a piano bench, mocking everything from nuclear war to Boy Scouts. His most memorable songs like “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park,” “The Vatican Rag,” and “The Old Dope Peddler” showcased a rare combination of intellectual brilliance and biting humor.

I broke all the rules, but I did it politely,” Lehrer once quipped. And that was his charm—roasting the world without ever sounding bitter.

other satirists such as Allan Sherman and Stan Freberg leaned heavily into slapstick or pop culture, Lehrer’s genius was cloaked in Gilbert and Sullivan sophistication, drawing admiration from legends like Stephen Sondheim and influencing modern icons like “Weird Al” Yankovic and Randy Newman.

Though his musical output was modest—just about three dozen songs—its impact was profound. Barry Hansen (aka Dr. Demento), a musicologist who co-produced “The Remains of Tom Lehrer” box set, called him “the most brilliant song satirist ever recorded.”

A Career That Began by Accident

Lehrer’s foray into songwriting began informally in the early 1950s, merely to amuse his friends. However, his quirky compositions soon gained traction at Cambridge coffeehouses, leading to his first self-released record, “Songs by Tom Lehrer” in 1953. Tracks like “I Wanna Go Back to Dixie” and “Fight Fiercely, Harvard” poked fun at American exceptionalism and Ivy League elitism.

Despite the early fame, Lehrer remained firmly grounded in his first love: mathematics. He later taught at UC Santa Cruz, continuing until his late 70s.

An Unlikely Performer

Unlike most entertainers, Lehrer was a reluctant performer. “To me, going out and performing the concert every night when it was all available on record would be like a novelist going out and reading his novel every night,” he told The Associated Press in 2000. His distaste for fame didn’t stop him from delivering weekly satirical songs for NBC’s “That Was the Week That Was” in 1964—a precursor to Saturday Night Live.

The following year, he released “That Was the Year That Was”, featuring his hit “Who’s Next?”—a sarcastic glance at nuclear proliferation—and “Pollution,” a prescient anthem about environmental degradation long before it became mainstream concern.

From Satire to Sesame Street

In an unexpected twist, Lehrer composed songs for PBS’s beloved children’s show The Electric Company in the 1970s. And while his satirical songs earned him cult-like status, it was the thank-you letters from children and teachers that touched him most. “That meant more than the praise I got for anything else,” he once said.

Lehrer’s final gift to the world came in 2020, when he did what few artists would dare—he publicly released his lyrics and melodies into the public domain, allowing anyone to use them for free.

Legacy of Wit and Wisdom

Even in death, Lehrer remains an icon not just of satire but of intellectual integrity. A devout atheist who could mock religion and still be loved by believers, a mathematician who inspired musicians, a recluse who shaped pop culture—he defied every category.

Tom Lehrer, song satirist and mathematician, dies at 97 https://t.co/C2jGZU49mG pic.twitter.com/4K5dzKR2Ks

— New York Post (@nypost) July 28, 2025

When I got a funny idea for a song, I wrote it. And if I didn’t, I didn’t,” he said bluntly in 2000. That simplicity defined him.

Lehrer never chased fame. He chased meaning—sometimes in absurdity, sometimes in algebra.

As students continued enrolling in his math classes thinking he’d be “funny,” Lehrer clarified: “It’s a real math class. I don’t do any funny theorems.”

But in truth, he did. His life itself was a theorem—proving that intelligence, humility, and laughter can coexist.

As the countdown to the Hottest 100 of Australian Songs begins, triple j, Double J, and triple j Unearthed are calling on fans to cast their votes before the 5pm AEST deadline this Thursday. And it’s not just music lovers chiming in—some of the country’s most iconic figures have revealed their all-time favourite Aussie tracks, offering everything from childhood memories to festival flashbacks and even political sentimentality.

Apparently Khe Sanh is right up there in the Triple J poll for the Hottest 100 Australian Songs of all time! Let’s bring it home. Vote now: https://t.co/6dA1ahJ9mK pic.twitter.com/vy1TdxYLG5

— Cold Chisel (@coldchisel) July 14, 2025

Here’s a glimpse at how celebrities, musicians, politicians, and sports stars are voting—and the deeply personal stories behind their choices.

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“We got knighted by Bono” — Andy Lee’s Powderfinger moment

TV and radio funnyman Andy Lee shared a surprisingly emotional story behind his pick: “Whatever Makes You Happy” by Powderfinger.

He recalled the time after a legendary show at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl where U2 performed and John Farnham came out of retirement. Lee and co-host Hamish Blake jetted off to Vegas with just two suits and a DVD. That DVD? A photo compilation set to Powderfinger’s song. “It probably won’t crack the top 1,000, but it’s #1 for me,” said Lee.

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Hilltop Hoods say Sia wrote “the perfect pop song”

Hilltop Hoods gave a shoutout to fellow South Australian Sia, choosing “Chandelier” as their top pick.

“If you wrote this song and walked out of the studio, you’d say ‘10/10—I nailed it’,” they said, reminiscing about watching Sia perform in her early acid jazz band days before collaborating with her later in life.

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Conor Watson’s Flume flashbacks

Connor Watson, star hooker for the Sydney Roosters, picked Flume’s “Holdin’ On”—a nostalgic nod to house parties and early clubbing days. “I listened to it again recently and it still holds up. Such a great track,” he said.

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From Mum’s car to G Flip’s playlist

G Flip couldn’t resist picking a song from her childhood: “Jackie” by BZ ft. Joanne. “It reminds me of my mum blasting it on the way to primary school,” she said, laughing. “When I saw it on the list, I giggled—I had to vote for it.”

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Amy Shark chooses a ‘non-love’ love song

Amy Shark, a lifelong fan of Silverchair, went with “Miss You Love”. She recalled teenage romance moments tied to the song and revealed the irony behind its theme: “Daniel Johns said it’s about not believing in love, but we all thought it was the most romantic song ever.”

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Alex Pearce: From labouring to Violent Soho

AFL star Alex Pearce shared how “Covered in Chrome” by Violent Soho became the anthem of his worksite days. “Falls Festival, triple speaker stack, my mate Liam on my shoulders… pure joy,” he recalled. The live energy of that song sealed its place in his heart.

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I know I'm probably the last person to vote, but here's my picks for the Hottest 100 for Aussie songs pic.twitter.com/99cUeRRJ71

— Isaac (@Caasi_67) July 9, 2025

Missy Higgins and Chrissy Amphlett: Rock legends

Singer-songwriter Missy Higgins chose “Back to the Wall” by the legendary Divinyls, paying tribute to Chrissy Amphlett.

“She was a hero. Watching a woman command a rock stage like that—so fierce and individual—changed how I saw performance,” Higgins shared.

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Bernard Fanning gives Angie McMahon goosebumps

Former Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning gave his nod to Angie McMahon and her song “Letting Go”.

“That outro—goosebumps every time. It’s what you want from music: raw emotion,” he said, adding that in today’s tense world, it’s the perfect release.

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The Veronicas once thought Farnham was literally Jesus

Pop twins The Veronicas chose “You’re The Voice” by John Farnham, whom they described as “the eighth wonder of the world.” They admitted to attending his shows as kids and being so in awe of his talent in Jesus Christ Superstar that they “thought he might actually be Jesus.”

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Emily Wurramara’s island anthem

Emily Wurramara chose the Warumpi Band classic “My Island Home”. “It takes me back to my country—fishing with family, sitting on the beach in the NT. When you’re far from home, it calls you back.”

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RÜFÜS DU SOL and the magic of Flight Facilities

Electronic trio RÜFÜS DU SOL selected “Claire De Lune” by Flight Facilities. “It’s such a beautiful headphone listen. Even live, it’s euphoric,” they noted, praising its subdued beat and delicate arrangement.

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Tina Arena still reigns: Gordi’s Sorrento Moon obsession

Indie star Gordi declared herself a “Sorrento Moon girly”, saying Tina Arena’s emotional ballad is essential in any Aussie best-of list. “The melody, the feel—it’s just timeless.”

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With the final countdown scheduled for Saturday, July 26, the airwaves will soon echo with the country’s most cherished tunes. But for now, it’s your turn to vote—and maybe reflect on the songs that shaped your own story.

This News is by Daily Global Diary