Vale: Ignatius Jones

Ignatius Jones, who had a performing career spanning stage, screen and pop music, has died aged 66.

Sister Monica Trapaga revealed online he had been battling a “short illness” before his death.

“He died peacefully at 9.30pm, Sydney time, last night (7 May) at Iloilo City, the Philippines,” a statement read.

Jones, who became an Australian citizen in 1971, fronted Sydney based Jimmy and the Boys with covers of The Kinks I’m Not Like Everybody Else in 1979 and They Won’t Let My Girlfriend Talk To Me in 1981. The group pioneered the use of shock theatrics in Australia.

Jones pursued a solo career and by the mid-1980s was a member of a swing jazz-cabaret band, Pardon Me Boys, with O’Riordan and Jones’ sister, Monica Trapaga.

As an actor, Jones appeared on Sweet and Sour, Home & Away, and the films Culture Shock, Those Dear Departed and Pandemonium. For Strictly Ballroom, Jones sang “Yesterday’s Hero” (original by John Paul Young). He also featured on The Countdown Spectacular and Carols by Candlelight.

Jones also worked with David Atkins on the 2000 Sydney Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, which included co-directing the horse segment that launched the opening ceremony. Further events included Opening Ceremony of Shanghai 2010 World Expo, Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Jones also directed the 2002 Gay Games Opening Ceremony, greeting the audience of 38,000 with “Australia and the gay and lesbian community is not so much a melting pot … We are more of a mixed salad, where every part remains separate, yet adds to the wonder of the whole … I have been lucky, I have never had to come out, I was never in.”

He was also Artistic Director of the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade from 2011 – 2016.

In 2017 Jones was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Event Awards.

Source: news.com.au