Ignatius Jones

Juan Ignacio Rafaelo Lorenzo Trápaga y Esteban AM (24 October 1957 – 7 May 2024), known professionally as Ignatius Jones, was a Filipino-born Australian events director and journalist who fronted the shock rock band Jimmy and the Boys. From 1976 to 1982, the group pioneered the use of shock theatrics in Australia. By the end of the 1970s they were "one of the most popular live acts on the Australian scene" with Jones performing as lead vocalist and contortionist alongside Joylene Thornbird Hairmouth (born William O'Riordan) on keyboards and vocals as a kitsch transvestite. In 1981, they scored their only top 10 single with "They Won't Let My Girlfriend Talk to Me", which was written by Split Enz leader Tim Finn. In 1982, after their disbandment, Jones pursued a solo career and by the mid-1980s was a member of a swing jazz-cabaret band, Pardon Me Boys, with O'Riordan and Jones' sister, Monica Trapaga – former Play School presenter. In 1990 Jones, with Pat Sheil, co-wrote True Hip and Jones followed it a year later with The 1992 True Hip Manual.

As an actor, Jones appeared on TV series including Sweet and Sour (1984) and Culture Shock (1985). He had minor roles in comedy films including Those Dear Departed (1987) and Pandemonium (1988).

For the 1992 musical film Strictly Ballroom, Jones sang "Yesterday's Hero" (original by John Paul Young). Jones worked with David Atkins on the 2000 Sydney Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, which included co-directing the horse segment that launched the opening ceremony. The pair oversaw the Opening Ceremony of Shanghai 2010 World Expo and the ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. In 2017, Jones was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Event Awards.^[1]