Aussie singer Jon English flies into Virgin baggage handlers after instruments are smashed

SOME rockers famously destroy their guitars as part of the show, but for Aussie singer Jon English, a smashing encounter between his guitar and Sydney Airport’s baggage handlers was no crowd-pleaser.

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SOME rockers famously destroy their guitars as part of the show, but for Aussie singer Jon English, a smashing encounter between his guitar and Sydney Airport’s baggage handlers was no crowd-pleaser.

The legendary stage performer had flown with Virgin airlines into Sydney on the weekend for a sold-out harbour cruise gig when his prized Ovation guitar turned up worse for wear on the baggage carousel.

Despite sturdy packaging the keyboard was destroyed in the incident. Source: Jon English's Facebook page

“Sadly, although I arrived in Sydney in one piece, my guitar did not,” English told Clarissa Bye. “My acoustic guitar was completely and utterly destroyed. Not bloody good enough.”

Despite multiple fragile stickers, the guitar had apparently fallen off the baggage transport trailer and was fatally run over.

It is not the first time it has happened either with a similar problem three months ago. Source: Jon English's Facebook page

Band member Stuart Johnston’s $5000 keyboard was also in pieces.

“It’s appalling,” the veteran rocker said. “This is the second incident in the last three months of Virgin baggage handlers running over our musical instruments with their baggage trailers at Sydney airport.”

In October, another keyboard player had been forced to use his own insurance to fund a replacement after the same thing happened, spurring Mr English to complain on social media.

As a result, musicians around the country came forward with similar tales of woe.

The fragile stickers did little to lessen the damage. Source: Jon English's Facebook page

Inside the case Jon’s beloved guitar was completely destroyed with Virgin general manager of ground operations vowing to get to the bottom of the issue. Source: Jon English's Facebook page

Virgin will tighten up procedures, general manager of ground operations Roger Lindeman has promised.

“I would like to add my most sincere apologies ... for the damage done to Jon’s equipment after his arrival into Sydney.

“Effective today I will personally get involved and ensure we tighten up our procedures and our approach in general to the handling of musical gear.

“And I will ensure Jon’s latest incident is fully investigated and action taken when we identify where the damage occurred.”

Singer and stage actor Jon English was left bewildered by how his instruments have been damaged again.