Who was Col Joye? Australian musician dies at 89

Colin Frederick Jacobsen, famous by his stage name, Col Joye, has passed away at the age of 89. Joye was an Australian singer and songwriter, starting her career in 1957 with the KJ Quintet, which later became the Joy Boys. The news first came from 2GB radio host Ben Fordham in a video titled, "We’ve lost a legend." In the video, he said that Joye’s family had informed him about the singer’s passing.

Col Joye began his career as a jewelry salesman before starting his music career and founding the band, Joye Boys. Two years into his career, he scored his first big hit with Bye Bye Baby and became the first Australian pop singer to reach No. 1 on the local charts.

Soon after, Col Joye and his brother started a music company and added the Bee Gees to their label, who later sang on his song Starlight of Love. In the late 1950s and '60s, Col Joye performed in major rock shows, appeared on Bandstand for 14 years, and toured with other popular acts like the De Kroo Brothers, Little Pattie, and Sandy Scott.

After a dip in popularity, he made a comeback in 1973 with the No. 1 hit Heaven Is My Woman's Love.

Tributes pour in following the passing of Col Joye

Fans and musicians from all around the world are paying their tributes and sending messages remembering Joye on social media. Lee Kernaghan, ARIA Awards and APRA Awards recipient, wrote on his Instagram:

"In loving memory of the great Col Joye. Forever grateful for you and the Jacobsen family - for taking me under your wing back in the early days of the outback club - the songs we’ve sung around the piano, all the magic moments and teaching me to always have a spare gas bottle when mates come round for a BBQ!!"

Singer Little Pattie, in a statement on 2GB, said:

"We’ve lost a hero, a hero of our times and a hero of our music. When I think of Colin, I see his smile, hear his voice, and hear his laughter, which was shared so much over the past few years … I tried to make him laugh ... we shared his music."

Former TV & radio presenter Paul Makin wrote on X:

"Sad to hear my old mate Col Joye passing away aged 89. I'm writing my memoir and recently wrote a chapter of how I first met Col at his home in East Hills (Sydney). His mum Minnie kindly invited me into the house after spotting me out front waiting for my idol. Rest in peace."

Joye was a recipient of the Order of Australia in 1981, and seven years later, he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

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