Col Joye, a true pioneer of Australian rock and roll and a celebrated ARIA Hall of Famer, has passed away at the age of 89. He was a groundbreaking figure who brought rock and roll to the forefront of Australia’s music scene, achieving chart-topping success like no other local artist before him.
Born Colin Jacobsen in Sydney in 1936, Joye’s musical journey began in 1957 when he performed with his brother Kevin Jacobsen’s group, the KJ Quintet. After being invited to play at the Jazzorama club in Manly, Sydney, the band was poised to rebrand as Col Jay and the Playboys. However, they quickly settled on the name that would become iconic: Col Joye and the Joy Boys.
Although Joye later admitted some regret about the name change, the band pushed forward. In 1959, they scored their first No. 1 hit on the Sydney charts with “Bye Bye Baby.” That same year, they made history as the first Australian act to reach No. 1 on the national charts with the song “Oh Yeah Uh Huh,” which held the top spot for four weeks. Their success continued throughout the 1960s with several top ten hits, and they became regulars on the popular TV show Bandstand. Joye’s final chart-topping single, “Heaven Is My Woman’s Love,” was released in 1973.
Beyond performing, Col Joye and his brother Kevin were successful entrepreneurs, founding Joye Enterprises and Joye Music, as well as the label and talent agency ATA. Their keen eye for talent helped launch the career of the Bee Gees after spotting them during a 1961 Queensland performance. The Bee Gees went on to become the first Australian act to top the US Billboard Hot 100 with “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” in 1971, a feat they repeated eight more times over the next decade. Andy Gibb, their younger brother and an ATA signee, also achieved three No. 1 hits.
In 1988, Col Joye was honored as one of the first inductees into the ARIA Hall of Fame, joining other Australian music legends such as Joan Sutherland, Johnny O’Keefe, Slim Dusty, AC/DC, and the songwriting duo Vanda & Young.
“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,” said ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd. “At a time when the local industry was dominated by US and UK artists, he proved that Australians would embrace local artists and local music. Our deepest condolences go to Col’s family. He will be sadly missed.”
Australian Rock and Roll Legend Col Joye Passes Away at 89, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape the Australian music industry and inspired generations of artists.
