Australian musicians died at 63

Here are 14 famous musicians from Australia died at 63:

Maurice Blackburn

Maurice Blackburn (November 19, 1880 Inglewood-March 31, 1944 Prahran) was an Australian lawyer and politician.

He graduated from the University of Melbourne with a law degree in 1904 and quickly established himself as a skilled lawyer. Blackburn became known for his work in social justice causes, representing trade unions and advocating for fair labor practices.

In addition to his legal work, Blackburn was also involved in politics. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party and served in the Victorian Legislative Assembly and the Commonwealth House of Representatives. Blackburn was a strong advocate for workers' rights, and he fought for the introduction of minimum wage laws and improvements to working conditions.

Blackburn was also involved in the anti-war movement during World War I and was a vocal opponent of conscription. He became a leading figure in the Labor Party during the 1920s and 1930s and was seen as a champion of progressive causes.

Today, Blackburn is remembered as one of Australia's most influential social justice advocates and lawyers. His legacy lives on through the law firm that he founded, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, which continues to fight for the rights of workers and marginalized communities.

Read more about Maurice Blackburn on Wikipedia »

Penne Hackforth-Jones

Penne Hackforth-Jones (August 5, 1949 Greenwich-May 17, 2013 Melbourne) also known as Penelope Beatrix Hackforth-Jones was an Australian actor and biographer.

Penne Hackforth-Jones was born in London, England and moved to Australia with her family when she was a child. She began her acting career in the 1970s, appearing in various Australian television dramas and films. In addition to her acting work, she was a talented writer and authored several biographies, including "Frank Hardy: Politics, Literature, Life" and "The Women Who Knew Too Much: Hitchcock and Feminist Theory". She was also active in the Australian arts community, serving as the president of the Australian Writers' Guild and as a board member of the Melbourne Theatre Company. Her contributions to Australian arts were recognized in 2013 when she was posthumously awarded the Order of Australia for her services to the performing arts and to literature.

She died caused by lung cancer.

Read more about Penne Hackforth-Jones on Wikipedia »

Nelson Illingworth

Nelson Illingworth (August 1, 1862-June 26, 1926) was an Australian personality.

He was a successful businessman and philanthropist, known for his generous donations to various charities and organizations. Illingworth was also a keen sportsman and played a key role in promoting sports and outdoor activities in his community. He founded the famous Illingworth Challenge Cup, which is still a popular racing event in Australia. Illingworth was deeply committed to the betterment of society and actively supported causes such as education, healthcare, and social welfare. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Order of St Michael and St George in 1918.

Read more about Nelson Illingworth on Wikipedia »

David Forbes Martyn

David Forbes Martyn (June 27, 1906 Cambuslang-March 5, 1970 Camden) was an Australian scientist.

Martyn was a renowned physicist and his work contributed significantly to the field of spectroscopy. He made several important contributions to the study of atomic and molecular structures, especially in regards to the analysis of atomic spectra. He also worked on the development of mass spectrometry and contributed to the understanding of chemical reactions.

Martyn received his education at the University of Melbourne and later studied at Cambridge University under the guidance of Ernest Rutherford. He went on to hold various academic appointments at universities in Australia and the United Kingdom, including the University of London where he served as the head of the physics department.

Martyn was a Fellow of the Royal Society and was awarded the Hughes Medal in 1950 and the Royal Medal in 1964 for his contributions to science. He was also a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Institute of Physics.

Martyn was known for his dedication to science and his commitment to promoting scientific research globally. He remains a prominent figure in the field of physics and his work continues to influence scientific research and discovery to this day.

Read more about David Forbes Martyn on Wikipedia »

Philip Lewis Griffiths

Philip Lewis Griffiths (September 30, 1881-June 4, 1945) also known as Judge Philip Lewis Griffiths was an Australian judge.

He was born in Melbourne, Australia and was educated at the University of Melbourne and the University of Cambridge. Griffiths was admitted as a barrister in Victoria in 1905 and became a King's Counsel in 1926. He was appointed to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1935 and later became the Chief Justice for the state. Griffiths was known for his expertise in commercial law and was responsible for several important judgments in this area. He also played an important role in the development of Australian constitutional law. Unfortunately, his career was cut short when he died suddenly in 1945 at the age of 63.

Read more about Philip Lewis Griffiths on Wikipedia »

Charles Kellaway

Charles Kellaway (January 16, 1889 Melbourne-December 13, 1952 London) was an Australian scientist.

He was best known for his work on penicillin and the development of the first penicillin production plant. Kellaway studied at the University of Melbourne before moving to England to further his education. During World War II, he worked on the production of penicillin for the British army, which at the time was in short supply. Kellaway's work on improving the production process helped make the drug widely available and affordable. In addition to his work with penicillin, Kellaway also made significant contributions to the study of blood coagulation and the mechanism of blood clotting. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1946 in recognition of his contributions to the war effort.

Read more about Charles Kellaway on Wikipedia »

John Davis

John Davis (September 16, 1936 Ballarat-October 17, 1999) was an Australian personality.

He was a well-known radio and television presenter who rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s. Davis began his career as a radio announcer, but quickly gained a reputation for his wit and charm, which helped him transition to television. He hosted several popular TV shows, including "The Don Lane Show" and "Tattletales," and became a household name in Australia.

In addition to his work as a presenter, Davis was also a talented musician and songwriter. He released several albums and singles throughout his career and was known for his unique blend of country and rockabilly music. Davis also wrote songs for other artists, including Slim Dusty and Col Joye.

Outside of his music and television career, Davis was a passionate advocate for animal rights. He was a vocal supporter of organizations like the RSPCA and used his platform to raise awareness about animal cruelty and conservation efforts.

Despite his success, Davis struggled with addiction throughout his life and openly spoke about his battles with drugs and alcohol. He passed away in 1999 at the age of 63.

Read more about John Davis on Wikipedia »

George Arnold Wood

George Arnold Wood (June 7, 1865-October 14, 1928) was an Australian personality.

He was most notable for being a prominent businessman and politician within Australia during the early 20th century. Wood served multiple terms as the Lord Mayor of Melbourne and also represented the state of Victoria in the Australian Senate. In addition to his political career, Wood was a successful businessman, having founded numerous companies involved in various industries such as finance, real estate, and mining. He was also a philanthropist, donating large sums of money to charitable causes and organizations. Despite his success, Wood was not immune to controversy and faced scrutiny for his involvement in various political and financial scandals throughout his career. Nevertheless, he remains an important figure in Australian history and played a significant role in shaping the country's economy and political landscape.

Read more about George Arnold Wood on Wikipedia »

P. R. Stephensen

P. R. Stephensen (November 20, 1901 Maryborough-May 28, 1965 Sydney) also known as Percy Reginald Stephensen, Percy Stephensen or P.R. Stephensen was an Australian writer and publisher.

He was born in Queensland, Australia and later moved to Sydney where he became heavily involved in the literary and cultural scene. Stephensen was a prominent figure in the Australian literary movement of the 1920s and 1930s known as the Jindyworobak Movement, which promoted Indigenous Australian culture and the use of Australian English in literature.

Stephensen was a prolific writer, publishing numerous articles, essays, and books throughout his career. He wrote on a wide range of topics, including politics, literature, and Australian culture. His most famous work is the controversial book, The Foundations of Culture in Australia, which argued for the importance of a distinct Australian culture and identity.

In addition to his writing, Stephensen was a noted publisher, founding a number of publishing houses throughout his career. He was also a strong advocate for free speech and was involved in several legal battles over censorship and obscenity in literature.

Stephensen was a colorful and controversial figure, known for his outspoken opinions and eccentric behavior. He was a friend and mentor to many of Australia's most famous writers, including Patrick White and Frank Hardy. Despite his influence on Australian literature and culture, Stephensen's work has been largely overlooked in the years since his death.

Read more about P. R. Stephensen on Wikipedia »

Bertram Steele

Bertram Steele (May 30, 1870-April 12, 1934) was an Australian scientist.

He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Melbourne and a PhD in physics from the University of Cambridge. Steele returned to Australia in 1899 and began working at the University of Adelaide, where he initially researched radio waves and electromagnetism. However, Steele is best known for his work in X-ray crystallography, which he studied during his time at the University of Manchester. He collaborated with William Lawrence Bragg, and together they determined the structure of many simple organic molecules. In recognition of his work, Steele was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1920. Beyond his scientific achievements, Steele was also a talented musician and played the violin in the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra for many years.

Read more about Bertram Steele on Wikipedia »

Harry Holgate

Harry Holgate (December 5, 1933 Maitland-March 16, 1997 Launceston) was an Australian politician and journalist.

Holgate was a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and served as the Member for Bass in the Tasmanian House of Assembly from 1980 until his retirement in 1996. He was also the Editor of the Launceston Examiner, a daily newspaper in Tasmania, from 1974 to 1980. During his time in politics, Holgate held a variety of roles including serving as the Minister for Tourism, Parks and Wildlife and the Minister for Local Government. Outside of his political and journalistic pursuits, Harry Holgate was involved in many community initiatives and was well-respected for his dedication to public service.

He died as a result of cancer.

Read more about Harry Holgate on Wikipedia »

Judy Masters

Judy Masters (May 21, 1892 Balgownie-December 2, 1955 Balgownie) was an Australian personality.

She was a pioneering aviator and the first Australian woman to gain a pilot's license. Masters grew up in Balgownie, New South Wales and showed an interest in flying at a young age. In 1926, she traveled to England to train as a pilot and earned her license there. Masters returned to Australia and became known for her aerial exhibitions and stunts, including the first successful parachute jump by an Australian woman. During World War II, she worked as an instructor for the Royal Australian Air Force. Masters was posthumously inducted into the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame in 2019.

Read more about Judy Masters on Wikipedia »

Roy Rene

Roy Rene (February 15, 1891 Adelaide-November 22, 1954 Sydney) was an Australian comedian.

With a career that spanned over three decades, Roy Rene was regarded as one of the most successful and influential comedians in the history of Australian theatre. He was best known for his stage persona, Mo McCackie, a mischievous and impertinent character whose antics brought laughter and joy to audiences across Australia. Rene's performances were marked by his unique style of physical comedy, which often involved slapstick humor and wordplay.

Born as Henry van der Sluys, Rene was the sixth of seven children to Dutch-Jewish parents who migrated to Australia in the 1880s. Rene's father was a tailor and shoemaker, and his mother was a seamstress. As a child, Rene showed an early aptitude for comedy, and by the age of 15, he had already begun performing as a comedian in vaudeville shows.

In 1911, Rene adopted the stage name "Roy Rene" and began performing as a solo act. He eventually developed his iconic character, Mo McCackie, which became immensely popular and propelled him to stardom. Rene's success continued throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and he became one of Australia's highest-paid performers.

Rene's career was not without controversy, however. He was criticized by some for his use of blackface in his performances, which was a common practice at the time. Rene defended himself by claiming that his portrayal of Mo McCackie was not meant to be offensive, but rather a celebration of Australian working-class culture.

Despite the controversy, Rene remained a beloved figure among audiences, and his legacy as a pioneering comedian has since been recognized by the Australian entertainment industry.

Read more about Roy Rene on Wikipedia »

Mabel Forrest

Mabel Forrest (March 6, 1872 Australia-March 18, 1935 Brisbane) was an Australian novelist and writer.

She was born in the town of Goolmangar in New South Wales and spent much of her childhood in the Northern Rivers area. She went on to study at the University of Sydney before starting her career as a writer. Forrest was known for her works of fiction, as well as her essays and articles on various topics including feminism, politics, and literature. Some of her most notable works include "The Wild Moth" and "The Jade House". She was also actively involved in the literary scene in Brisbane, founding the Brisbane Women's Club and serving as the president of the Queensland Authors' and Artists' Association. Forrest passed away at the age of 63 in Brisbane.

Read more about Mabel Forrest on Wikipedia »

Related articles