Last Updated on 2 months by Vijay Kumar
Col Joye was an Australian pioneer rock singer-songwriter, musician and entrepreneur who in 1959, became the first Australian pop performer ever to hit number one on national charts. His striking voice, entrepreneurial spirit, and discovery of the Bee Gees made him a foundational figure in the birth of Australian rock music. 
| Full Name | Colin Frederick Jacobsen |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Col Joye |
| Birth Date | 13 April 1937 |
| Birth Place | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur |
| Genres | Rock and Roll, Pop |
| Famous Songs | Oh Yeah Uh Huh, Bye Bye Baby, Heaven Is My Woman’s Love |
| Spouse | Dalys Joye |
| Awards | Member of the Order of Australia, ARIA Hall of Fame |
| Death | 5 August 2025 (aged 89) |
Col Joye – Early Life
He born on 13 April 1937 in Sydney, New South Wales, Colin worked as a jewellery salesman after finishing school—long before he swapped polish cloths for guitar strings. His eventual stage name, Col Joye, emerged when he joined his brother Kevin’s KJ Quintet and the band rebranded on a whim for a gig at Manly Jazzerama, forming “Col Joye and the Joy Boys.”
Col Joye – Career
In 1959, Joye landed his breakthrough with “Bye Bye Baby”, reaching top three on the Kent Music Report backed by male trio The Sapphires. That same year, “Oh Yeah Uh Huh” soared to No 1 nationwide, staying there for four weeks. Other hits like “Rockin’ Rollin’ Clementine” and “Yes Sir That’s My Baby” further cemented his status.
Joye became a familiar face on Bandstand, appearing over a 14‑year run and touring with fellow acts like Little Pattie and Judy Stone. In 1966, he traveled to Vietnam and performed for Australian troops near the Battle of Long Tan.
Beyond performing, he and Kevin co‑founded ATA Studios and talent enterprises including Joye Music and Jacobsen Entertainment. They are credited with discovering the Bee Gees in 1961, signing them and featuring their vocals on Starlight of Love in 1963.
After a career lull following the British Invasion, Joye returned with “Heaven Is My Woman’s Love” in 1973, which topped the Go‑Set charts. In 1988, he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, and in 1981 appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. He also inspired a commemorative Australia Post rock‑and‑roll stamp and saw his classic Bye Bye Baby added to the National Film and Sound Archive’s Sounds of Australia register in 2010. Col Joye’s most popular songs include “Oh Yeah Uh Huh” (Australia’s first rock ‘n’ roll No. 1 hit), “Bye Bye Baby”, “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby”, and “Rockin’ Rollin’ Clementine”. His 1973 comeback hit, “Heaven Is My Woman’s Love”, also topped charts, marking a major return to fame.
Col Joye – Personal Life
Col Joye was known for his long‑time marriage to Dalys Joye, though Dalys stayed largely out of the public eye. Their relationship spanned decades, reflecting mutual support through his evolving career and entrepreneurial ventures.
In 1990, he suffered a serious fall while pruning a neighbour’s tree a six‑metre tumble that resulted in a coma and severe back and shoulder injuries. Initially facing a grim prognosis, he remarkably recovered and resumed performing in 1998.
Col Joye – Death and Legacy
Col Joye passed away on 5 August 2025, aged 89, after an extraordinary seven‑decade career in music. His death was confirmed by his family and widely mourned by Australia’s music community. Fellow artists like Normie Rowe remembered Joye as “a guiding light” in the industry, affectionately calling him “the true gentleman of the industry.”
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