Jon English farewelled at Sydney memorial

Photography: Bob King

The Australian music and acting community farewelled Jon English yesterday at a public memorial at the Capitol Theatre, where his career launched in Jesus Christ Superstar as Judas Iscariot.

Close friend Trevor White, who played Jesus in the production, first met English when they sat next to each other during “a cattle call” and recalled "This enthusiastic, gushing with excitement guy" and “a dream to work with.”

His former manager Peter Rix called him a “titan of the stage” who knew who to rage but was always a family man, “found a way to connect with you” and “whether I liked it or not, [was] always captain of the ship." Others recalled a performer who never lost his working class Cabramatta roots, passionate about the Parramatta Eels, was everyone’s friend and never missed a show until his final hospitalisation because he never wanted to let fans down.

     John Paul Young

     John Waters performed English’s hit single Turn The Page

Musical tributes came from John Paul Young, John Waters, Simon Gallagher and Peter Cupples. But it was his family that provided the most poignant moments. For Six Ribbons, his son Jonathan teamed with Jon’s earlier band Sebastian Hardie’s guitarist Mario Millo and the latter’s daughter Jess. Jonathan’s partner, country music singer songwriter Christie Lamb did a rendition of The Dixie Chicks’ Loving Arms.