Singer Ignatius Jones, frontman of shock rock band Jimmy and the Boys, has died at age 67.
The performer, writer and event director died “peacefully” in Iloilo, Philippines on Tuesday night after a “short illness”, his sister and former Play School host Monica Trapága announced on social media.
“Iggy had immense creative energy, and spent over 50 years contributing to the arts, both in Australia and internationally,” she wrote.
The frontman was born in the Philippines in 1957 before his family moved to Wahroonga in Sydney.
Jimmy and the Boys were renowned in the 70s and 80s for the hits I’m Not Like Everybody Else and They Won’t Let My Girlfriend Talk To Me.
After the band went their separate ways, Jones formed the swing band Pardon Me Boys with his sister.
He spent six years as the director of the Sydney New Year’s Eve celebrations, and also directed several international ceremonies, including the 2000 Olympic Games, the 2006 Asian Games and the 2010 World Expo.
He even directed productions for country music legend Dolly Parton and was the artistic director of the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade from 2011 to 2015.
Jones was “immensely proud” when he was awarded the Order of Australia by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 for his contribution to entertainment and literature, his sister said.
“His friends and family will remember Iggy as a bon-vivant, a lively raconteur and a real Renaissance man, immensely and passionately knowledgeable in history and the arts,” Ms Trapága said.
“The arts community in Australia has lost a champion, and dinner parties will now be less interesting, with his passing.”
Some of Jones’ friends also paid tribute to him on social media, including author Wendy Harmer.
“My dear, talented, funny, outrageous friend. Love you forever,” Harmer wrote alongside a picture of the pair on her wedding day.
“He sang for me and made the night wild and unforgettable!”
Jones is survived by his choreographer husband Novy Bereber, as well as his mother, brother, two sisters and “a gaggle of nieces and nephews”.