Jimmy & the Boys frontman Ignatius Jones has died aged 66.
He passed away after a short illness at his home in the Philippines on Tuesday, leaving behind a legacy that spans over several decades in the arts industry.
He is survived by his husband, Novy Bereber, his mother, Margot Martin, his sisters Rocio and Monica and brother Luis Miguel.
Born in Manila in 1957, Jones was well-known as the lead vocalist for shock rock band Jimmy And The Boys.
The band had a number of hits throughout the Seventies, including They Won’t Let My Girlfriend Talk To Me and I’m Not Like Everybody Else.
Jimmy & the Boys frontman Ignatius Jones passed away after a short illness at his home in the Philippines on Tuesday
He later joined swing band Pardon Me Boys in the mid-Eighties with his sister, former Play School presenter Monica Trapaga.
Jones worked as an events director in his later years, where he collaborated on various big events including the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games and the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games.
He also acted as Artistic Director for the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade from 2011-2015 and Creative Director of Vivid Sydney from 2011-2019.
He was awarded with an Order of Australia by Queen Elizabeth Il as part of the Australia Day Honours in 2019 for his contribution to Entertainment and Literature.
Born in Manila in 1957, ‘Iggy’ is best known as the lead vocalist for shock rock band Jimmy And The Boys
The band had a number of hits throughout the 70’s including They Won’t Let My Girlfriend Talk To Me and I’m Not Like Everybody Else
Jones married his long-time partner Novy Bereber, a Filipino-Australian choreographer, in October 2018.
Ignatius’ sister Monica announced the news of his passing in a statement on Wednesday.
‘It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Ignatius Jones AM, after a short illness,’ she wrote.
‘His friends and family will remember Iggy as a bon-vivant, a lively raconteur and a real Renaissance man, immensely and passionately knowledgeable in history and the arts,’ she added.
‘The arts community in Australia has lost a champion, and dinner parties will now be less interesting, with his passing.’
Jones worked as an events director in his later years where he collaborated on various big events including the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games (Pictured with husband Novy Bereber)
He is survived by his husband, Novy Bereber (left), his mother, Margot Martin, his sisters Rocio and Monica and brother Luis Miguel
