Sydney – Australian music legend Col Joye has died at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy as the first Australian pop performer to reach number one on the local charts.
Colin Jacobsen, known professionally as Col Joye, achieved enormous success in the early days of rock and roll with his band the Joy Boys.
He started his music career in his brother Kevin Jacobsen’s band, The KJ Quintet, in Sydney in 1957.
Joye’s music career spanned over six decades, during which he had multiple top 10 hits, including the 1959 single “Bye Bye Baby” that reached the top spot on the Sydney charts.
He also established an influential management, publishing, and recording business with his brother Kevin in the 1960s.
Fellow Australian singer and songwriter Normie Rowe remembered Joye as a “guiding light” in the music industry.
“Col was in my psyche right throughout my entire life.
I watched him, and I thought, ‘If I’m going to be a singer, that’s the sort of singer I want to be’,” Rowe said.
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) paid tribute to Joye, who was among the first inductees into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
“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,” ARIA chief executive officer Annabelle Herd said.
A memorial for Joye is being planned, and details will be announced in the coming days.
In the meantime, fans are invited to share their memories and condolences on the official Col Joye Facebook page.