‘A legend and an icon’: tributes flow for beloved Australian singer Marcie Jones
Beloved Australian singer Marcie Jones has been remembered as an icon and a legend following her sudden death in Melbourne on Saturday.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Tributes are flowing for beloved singer Marcie Jones who has died just days after she revealed she was battling cancer.
Jones, 79, passed away in hospital in Melbourne on Saturday (May 31, 2025) night.
She was diagnosed recently with leukaemia after returning to Melbourne from the Gold Coast where she appeared at an entertainment industry lunch as a guest speaker.
Jones’ daughter-in-law Lisa Asta announced her passing on Facebook on Sunday morning.
“It’s with great sadness to let you all know that my beautiful mother-in-law, Marcie Jones, passed away yesterday evening,” Asta wrote.
“I feel numb inside. Marc, never again will there be our little outbursts of song and dance. “You made me laugh so hard and always gave me great advice.
“You were a legend, an icon, and you will always be remembered. You always said that we were so alike in many ways, and that’s why I know you will always be my guiding light.
“I will miss you so much. I love you. Until we meet again to sing another song.”
Growing up in the Melbourne suburb of Box Hill, Jones quit school at 15 to begin a hairdressing apprenticeship.
A matter of months later music became her focus and she was singing with the Thunderbirds and later the Playboys at local venues like the Preston Town Hall and the Canterbury Ballroom.
Her star rose through The Go!! Show in the mid-1960s.
In the late ‘60s and into the ‘70s she was part of one of Australia’s top female singing groups, Marcie and the Cookies.
The group had success in Australia and overseas and toured with major acts such as The Monkees, The Seekers, Cliff Richard and the Shadows, Gene Pitney and Del Shannon.
She was engaged briefly to fellow singer Normie Rowe in 1968.
Jones continued to perform and create throughout her life.
She published several childrens books and memorably jived with then federal treasurer Paul Keating at the Collingwood Football Club’s Grand Final breakfast in 1990.
Jones pulled Keating from his table to join her in the spotlight for some heel-tapping, hand-waving, spins and even a daring lift as she sang Stupid Cupid, Stop Pickin’ on Me.
Close friends with Olivia Newton-John, Jones was involved with Newton-John’s fashion and lifestyle label Koala Blue in the 1990s.
She published her memoir, Runs In The Blood, in 2008.
Jones revealed on social media last Tuesday that she had been diagnosed with leukaemia and had commenced chemotherapy treatment.
“Sorry to start the day with rotten news,” she posted.
“I am in hospital with leukaemia, starting treatment soon. We are all feeling very scared but I’ll fight as hard as I can.”
Shocked and saddened friends shared tributes to Jones on social media on Sunday.
“Marcie Jones, an Australian icon. We love you and will miss you,” posted Bob Pritchard.
“So sad to hear about the passing of Marcie Jones. Condolences to all her family & the Cooks! (aka the Cookies). I enjoyed the few gigs we did together,” wrote singer Mark Tabone.
Wife of pies star Jeremy Howe opens up about miscarriage
Kahlia Howe, wife of Collingwood premiership defender Jeremy Howe, has spoken publicly for the first time about her devastating miscarriage last year.
Is this Melbourne’s hottest new dynamic duo?
After meeting at private St Kilda social club Saint, Phoebe Chakar and Rochelle Gregory have hard launched their relationship, describing it as “an insane connection”.