Tributes from throughout Australia’s music and media sectors proceed to emerge following the demise of James Valentine, with artists together with Jimmy Barnes and Iva Davies reflecting on his wide-ranging influence.
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Valentine, a saxophonist finest recognized for his work with Fashions earlier than changing into a longtime broadcaster with the Australian Broadcasting Company, died at age 64 utilizing voluntary assisted dying at dwelling two years after a most cancers analysis, in accordance with ABC.
Barnes shared a tribute on social media, writing, “James and I’ve recognized one another a very long time. He beloved music and I heard him play the saxophone many occasions with the Fashions. He was a humorous and insightful interviewer, and I’ll miss listening to his mild voice on ABC radio each afternoon. RIP James. You’ll be missed.”
Davies, frontman of Icehouse, additionally shared an in depth assertion reflecting on their decades-long connection. “The ICEHOUSE workforce and I have been very saddened to listen to of the passing of James Valentine yesterday,” he wrote. “We’d recognized James because the early ‘80s after we met him on the street with Fashions. He was an excellent musician and I requested him to play saxophone on our Code Blue album, which he did along with his famend sense of ability and pleasure.”
He continued, “His transfer to be an progressive and far beloved broadcaster at Australia’s ABC radio community meant we’d cross paths repeatedly – he was all the time engaged and enjoyable to be round with a narrative or anecdote to share. James shall be missed by many tens of 1000’s, by our ICEHOUSE workforce and by me. We ship our heartfelt condolences to his household.”
Members of INXS additionally paid tribute, recalling their shared historical past on the Australian Made tour within the mid-Eighties. “We’re very a lot saddened to listen to of the passing of our outdated mate James Valentine,” the band wrote. “James was an unimaginable musician and an incredible human. At all times smiling, all the time optimistic, caring and concerned.”
The assertion continued, “Our lives crossed paths through the ’80s and all of us turned mates with James on the Australian Made tour in ’86-87 when he was a member of the Fashions. He in fact then turned a member of Absent Mates with Garry for an album and dwell performances.”
They added, “James later had an incredible profession in TV and radio and as a author — his wit and heat was beloved by everybody. Our honest condolences to Joanne, Ruby and Roy. Journey secure mate — we miss you.”
The responses spotlight the twin nature of Valentine’s profession, which spanned each music and broadcasting. As beforehand reported, he carried out on Fashions’ Out of Thoughts, Out of Sight, which peaked at No. 84 on the Billboard 200 and produced the only “Out of Thoughts, Out of Sight,” a Billboard Scorching 100 entry in 1986. His work as a session and touring musician prolonged throughout a number of Australian acts all through the last decade.
In later years, Valentine turned a defining voice on ABC radio, internet hosting applications for greater than three many years, together with a long-running tenure on 702 ABC Sydney’s Afternoons present. His conversational fashion and curiosity-driven interviews helped him construct a broad nationwide viewers, increasing his affect nicely past the music trade.
Further tributes from throughout the trade have emphasised that crossover influence. Valentine’s skill to maneuver between efficiency and broadcasting roles positioned him as a uncommon determine inside Australia’s artistic panorama — equally at dwelling onstage and behind the microphone.
His passing additionally comes amid renewed recognition of his contributions. Australia’s Governor-Normal Sam Mostyn just lately confirmed that Valentine had been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), acknowledging his service to each music and media.
For trade figures, the response to his demise displays not solely his legacy as a musician, but in addition the enduring attain of his broadcasting profession, which introduced his voice into the every day lives of listeners for many years.
Valentine is survived by his spouse and two kids.
