Vale Col Joye AM — Whitlam Institute

The Whitlam Institute honours the lifetime of Col Joye AM, a founding determine in Australian standard music, a mentor to performers, and an amazing supporter of Gough Whitlam’s imaginative and prescient for Australia.

Col Joye rose to fame within the late Fifties as one of many first Australian rock’n’roll stars, with prime hits together with ‘Bye Bye Baby.’  

Perhaps much more important than his performing profession was his time as a music producer.  

Col is credited with discovering the Bee Gees (they sang the backing vocals on his single, ‘Starlight of Love’) and he discovered the irrepressible younger Patricia Amphlett, Little Pattie, whom he mentored from the beginning of her profession.

Together, they toured the nation, sharing the stage on tv and in golf equipment, and stood side-by-side in Vietnam, performing for Australian troops in the course of the Battle of Long Tan. Later, by means of his administration and recording label, Col helped information her continued success and advocacy. They remained lifelong mates.  

In 1972, he once more stepped behind the microphone, this time as a producer, serving to create the It’s Time marketing campaign that might turn out to be a cultural and political landmark. That jingle, full of optimism and urgency, grew to become the soundtrack to a motion that remodeled Australia. It is truthful to say that Gough Whitlam’s imaginative and prescient aligned with the identical spirit of equity, creativity and nationwide pleasure that Col dropped at his work. 

Col Joye’s contribution to Australian life spanned many years: from surf golf equipment to stadiums, from vinyl to Vietnam, from pop charts to progressive politics. His affect resonates within the voices of these he mentored, the songs he produced, and the tradition he helped form. 

We prolong our deep condolences to his household, mates, and all Australians who have been moved by his music and his imaginative and prescient.