Jon English

Jon English was born in 1949 in Hampstead, London U.K., and migrated to Australia in 1961. Jon began his career singing and playing guitar in a number of small bands during the late 60s and early 70s. His first break came when he landed the role of Judas in the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1971, which ran for five years.

In 1973, Jon released his first album Wine Dark Sea, which generated his first hit single 'Handbags & Gladrags'.

Jon released his second album in 1974 It's all a Game, which included the hit single 'Turn the page' which reached number one Australia wide. That year Jon also recorded 'Ned Kelly' from the rock opera of the same name.

In 1975 Jon won the Australian Rock Award for male vocalist of the year and released the Sebastian Hardie album Four Moments. The following year he released his third album Hollywood Seven with its single 'Hollywood Seven' breaking the top five. Jon was also nominated for Male Actor of the Year for his appearance in Stopover in the 1976 Logies awards.

In 1977 Jon released Minutes to midnight, his fourth album with the hit 'Lay it all down'. He then quickly released his fifth album Words are not enough and the single of the same name reached number one.

In 1978 Jon released his sixth album Against the wind and the single 'Six Ribbons' became an international top ten. He also received a Logie for his performance in Against the Wind TV series and a Countdown award for Best Male Artist. He also released his seventh album with the single 'Get your love right'.

In 1980 Jon released his eighth album with the singles 'Carmilla' and 'Hot Town'. The following year Jon released his ninth album Inroads and began his first concert tour of Europe. In 1982 Jon joined forces with Marcia Hines and released his tenth album Jokers and Queens. Jon and Marcia went on tour together that same year.

In 1983 Jon released Beating The Boards his 11th album (live recordings) and Some People his 12th album.

In 1984 Jon embarked on his third European tour and co-wrote the soundtrack to the feature film, Coolangatta Gold. He also made his first appearance as the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, which continued until 1986.

In 1986 Jon released his 13th album Dark Horses, and in the following year gained the lead role in musical Rasputin. In 1988 Jon released The Busker his 14th album. In 1989 and 1990 Jon toured solo around New Zealand and Australia, and also appeared in Paris the rock opera.

From 1991 to 1993 Jon appears as the lead role in TV comedy hit All Together Now and returned to the role of the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance in 1994.

From 1995 to 2000 Jon appeared in a number of stage shows including The Mikado, HMS Pinafore, Noises off, and his own production titled Turn The Page. Jon continues to work theatrical and musical productions around Australia and plans have been afoot to record a new album in the Blues/Rock vein.

In 2006 Jon returned to the stage to blow away audiences in the Countdown Spectacular Tour.

Links:
www.jonenglish.com.au/