Col Joye AM (1936-2025) was more than a rock ’n’ roll trailblazer - he played a huge part in laying the foundation for Australasian music publishing.
Through ATA and Joye Music he supported local songwriters while safeguarding their rights and ensuring their music was heard throughout Australasia and across the world.
Col Joye’s impact on Australian music goes far beyond his legendary rock ’n’ roll hits. As a visionary music publisher, he was instrumental in building one of the country’s earliest and most influential publishing companies through ATA and Joye Music.
Col championed local songwriters at a time when Australasian music was fighting for its place on the world stage.
Thanks to his vision and dedication, Col laid the foundation for a thriving Australasian music publishing community that AMPAL proudly champions today.
At AMPAL we recognise Col for showing us that music publishing goes beyond business, it’s about believing in Australasian songwriters and backing them every step of the way.
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Current and former AMPAL Board members reflect on their memories of Col Joye:
Clive Hodson - Current AMPAL Chair & Managing Director Perfect Pitch Publishing
Col Joye was a true pioneer of Australian music publishing and I feel deeply fortunate to have known him. AMPAL honours his extraordinary contribution to music publishing and his championing of songwriters, bringing their work to the world.
Fifa Riccobono AM - AMPAL Board member 1997 - 2002
Some years ago I was at a luncheon and Col was being his usual entertaining self, walking around the tables playing his ukelele and when he got to me he bent down beside me and started playing a Māori song, I softly said “Col, I’m Sicilian” and without missing a beat he segued into “That’s Amore” followed by that wonderful Col laugh! He was the consummate performer and a wonderful guy to boot! That darling man and that beautiful smile will be sorely missed. Vale Col Joye.
Mark Callaghan - AMPAL General Manager 2007 - 2010
It was during my time as A&R Manager at Festival records that I first met Col Joye. From the first time we met I was so impressed by Col’s knowledge, zest for life and wonderful nature.
We'd have lunch regularly during that time and also later when I was General Manager of AMPAL. Col would regale me with stories of his time with the Joye Boys - and boy they were a wild bunch!
My favourite story was when Col told me of one particular tour the Joye Boys did with a group of artists that included Little Pattie and the wonderful Uncle Jimmy Little.
Col described how the touring party checked into a motel in Moree (I’m pretty sure it was) and headed for their rooms. Some time later Col walked through reception and saw Uncle Jimmy sitting there.
When he asked what Jimmy was doing, Jimmy said that he hadn’t been given a room as he wasn’t allowed to stay in that motel.
According to Col, the touring party were outraged and promptly ‘trashed their rooms’ before leaving the hotel in disgust.
That was Col - he deeply loved Australian Music and his fellow performers and had a keen sense of justice.
He told me tales of the young Bee Gees hanging around the Festival studio hassling other artists to cover their songs.
He told me stories about the great Johnny O’Keefe - the wild man of Aussie Rock - and how the only other artist he permitted to share his dressing room was Uncle Jimmy Little, the quietly spoken non-drinker that Johnny adored.
They were marvellous lunches and the chance to hear the stories of Col’s life in music was just priceless.
Col was also an astute businessman of course and a seminal figure in the development of our industry, so his thoughts and observations were always insightful and informative.
Knowing Col Joye was an absolute privilege. He was a gentleman and a scholar and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Rest In peace Col.
Peter Hebbes AM - Served as a Director on AMPAL's Board for over 40 years and General Manager from 2010 to 2012
Col Joye was one of the most respected and loved members of the Australian music scene. His passing is the end of an era, but his history will linger on forever.
His professional recording and performing career is well established and widely known. However his generosity in supporting and encouraging songwriters, is less known to the general public but well known within the Industry. He loved lyrics and tunes and was forever mentoring young and new writers in their craft. He always made his studio available to writers FOC, often engineering the sessions himself. In the early 60’s, he started Joye Publishing, and his first signing was Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees!! Col went on to sign many well-known Australian writers such as Kevin Johnson and Mike McClellan and was constantly pitching songs to recording artists all over the world, even in the last 12 months of his illness.
His record label was just as busy, recording mainly family and friends, such as Little Pattie and Sandy Scott. He had amazing ears and pitch and was constantly correcting or changing music for stage shows and recordings. Not only did he love the music industry, he also loved his politics and was one of the behind-the-scenes organisers of the famous Gough Whitlam, “It’s Time” Campaign, written by Pat Aulton and recorded and produced in his studios.
Together with his brother Kevin, they formed one of the most successful touring promotion companies, bringing artists out to Australia such as Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson – just to name a few.
Col was a great supporter of the Australasian Music Industry and always promoted and believed in the Societies - APRA/AMCOS, AMPAL, CMAA and ARIA. He was also a great supporter of the Golden Stave Foundation and Support Act.
Col will be sadly missed by many and I personally will miss our regular lunches and get-togethers at the nearest “greasy spoon” (as he used to call them).
Jeremy Fabinyi – AMPAL CEO 1992 - 1988 & General Manager 2012 - 2016
Col and his brother Kevin Jacobsen were trailblazers in the early days of rock and roll in Australia and their publishing and entertainment businesses had a tremendous impact on the development of the music business.
Matthew O’Sullivan – AMPAL General Manager 2016 - 2022
I will remember Col Joye as a very entertaining, energetic and cheery fellow. Col would announce his arrival at AMPAL AGMs as “Col Joye and the Joy Boys” from the back of the meeting room. He was always a supporter of AMPAL and the music publishing sector generally. The industry has lost a great ambassador and a great friend, but Col's legacy as a trailblazing and pioneering artist will endure. My thoughts are with Dalys and the Joye family.
Matthew Donlevy – Current AMPAL Board member & Managing Director Cooking Vinyl Australia
My mother Rose, when in her early 20s worked at Chappell and Co and, as artists did in the day to find new songs to perform Col would pop into Chappell looking for new songs. She would give him the sheet music to the latest O/S songs for him to try. So every time I saw Col from an early age he would always greet me with “G’day Matt, how’s your mum”. Unnerving when a pop star of the time asks about your Mum…
Art Phillips – Current AMPAL Board member & Owner & Director 101 Music Pty Ltd
Col Joye was a musical legend and pioneer of the Australian Rock n’ Roll/Pop scene. He was the first Australian pop performer to have a national number one hit single with ‘Oh Yeah Uh Huh’. He continued with ten Top 10 hits in the Sydney charts from May 1959 to May 1962, including four Number 1s.
I have many great memories of Col who was a true gentleman, a super talent, fun-loving, always with a smile, always with a story. He left a memorable impression on everyone he met.
Many years ago whilst playing on one of Col’s recordings at ATA Studios Glebe, he handed me one of his favourite guitars. I commented when playing it – ‘Nice, but it has a bit of a weird neck’. He never let me live it down!
Every time I would see him since that day he would address that moment immediately, shouting in his playful voice ‘Hey here’s the weird neck man’.
In fact, just last November I was being interviewed on a local radio show at 2RRR FM with Michael Parsons, when low and behold Col calls in ‘live on air’ and says ‘How’s that weird neck man’.
We thank you Mr Joye for your lifelong contributions to our industry over the years. You will be deeply missed.
Damian Rinaldi - Current AMPAL CEO
Col Joye’s passing marks the loss of a true legend, not just of Australian performance history, but of our music publishing community. His support for AMPAL and our broader industry was constant and genuine. Long before many recognised the value of a song’s copyright, Col was backing songwriters with his time, resources and belief.
Col’s impact will live on in the songs he championed, the careers he helped launch and the countless writers who found their start and their confidence because he believed in them. Vale, Col Joye.
Col Joye - 1936-2025