Legendary guitarist best known for his time in iconic Australian glam rock band dies

Australian musician Jacques De Jongh, famed for his role in the 70s glam rock band Hush, has died in Melbourne.

Reports have surfaced that the gifted guitarist, who later performed in a group with pop legend John Paul Young, had been suffering from ill health. 

No official details of his cause of death have been released but it’s believed he had been in poor health. 

The news of De Jongh’s passing was reported by Australian music channel Noise11 on Sunday.

Beginning his career playing in small time groups like Shadowfax he moved on to the  Redhouse Roll Band from Geelong.

Known for his strong musicianship he joined Hush in 1976.

Australian musician Jacques De Jongh (pictured), famed for his role in the 70s glam rock band Hush, has died in Melbourne

By that stage the hitmakers were well-known to fans having produced a series of chart toppers since forming in 1971, including the 1975 top 10 singles Bony Moronie and Glad All Over.

De Jongh first played rhythm guitar for Hush, before taking up the bass.

He appeared on the band’s last album, Touche, which was released in 1977.

After the Hush break up he started working with pop legend John Paul Young.

According to Noise10 there have been unconfirmed reports that De Jongh played on Young’s famed 1977 album Love is in the Air. 

The single of the same name topped charts all over the world.

The publication added that De Jongh worked on Young’s follow up album Heaven Sent from 1979.

He later left the stage for the hospitality industry, becoming a chef and opened a restaurant and ran a rehearsal studio.

Hush were formed in 1971 in the Sydney suburb of Seven Hills by British expat, vocalist Keith Lamb and fellow Englishman Robin Jackson on guitar.

Reports have surfaced that the gifted guitarist, who later performed in a group with pop legend John Paul Young, had been suffering from ill health. Pictured: De Jongh in his 70s heyday

The news of De Jongh’s passing was reported by Australian music channel Noise11 on Sunday. Pictured: De Jongh with Hush. He joined the group in 1976

They were joined by bass player Rick Lum, Chris Nolan on keyboards and drummer John Koutt.

By the mid-70s had become a favourite on legendary ABC music show Countdown.

Favouring stage costumes that featured scarves, much bare skin, and chunky high-heeled boots the original five-piece group had a bright, upbeat heavy rocking sound that stormed the charts.

They released six top albums, three of which hit the top 40.

Friend Ian Lovell told Noise11 that Jacques was active in the music business until he became too ill. 

‘Jacques worked as a chef of some note. He had a restaurant’ Lovell explained to the publication. 

‘He also ran a rehearsal studio and helped all sorts of bands. He was very active up until his poor health stopped him working.’