Why I am writing a post about that amazingly talented, beautiful and genuinely nice man Jon English? Well, because of all of the above, because he’s one of the few Australian performers ever to successfully combine a career in music, television and stage, and because he unknowingly played a part in my life.

You can read about Jon’s life in Wikipedia and remember him on a Facebook page.

When I was a teenager I auditioned for a musical. Jon English was in charge of the auditions. I was starstruck. My singing voice came out sounding like a strangled squeak. I will always remember how kind he was to me. “We’re looking for a rock singer. You’d be best as a folk singer.” What a gentleman, not to crush my youthful hopes, as he could have done so easily!

I went on to sing in two folk bands.

Jon’s performances in Jesus Christ Superstar were electrifying. It’s a pity there isn’t a better quality video of them available online.

I would like to ask the universe in general two questions:

• Why hasn’t Jon English been inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame?
• And why wasn’t his rock musical “Paris” (based on the myth of the Trojan War) given the backing it deserved, to become a professional stage production as big as any hit by Andrew Lloyd Webber?

The album “Paris” was so good that it was nominated for two ARIA Awards, winning Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album. It was also nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album.

So come on ARIA, give Jon the recognition he deserves!