Heartbreak as legendary Australian singer dies following a long health battle

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The Australian music world is saddened by the passing of legendary singer Warren Williams, who died on Sunday at the age of 85 after a prolonged illness.

Born in Sydney, this performer was a pioneer of rock music in Australia. He started his successful career in the early 1960s with appearances on the popular ABC show, Six O’Clock Rock.

His death was confirmed by his son Warren Jr in a social media statement.

Yesterday brought the heartbreaking loss of my father, Warren Williams. He was a truly humble, kind, and quiet man who taught me invaluable lessons about how to live a good life, he shared.

He was an incredibly talented singer and performer, and a wonderful father. We’ll cherish the memories of growing up with him and will miss him dearly. Rest in peace, Dad.

Williams loved performing from a young age and got his start in 1957 when Australian rock star Johnny O’Keefe spotted him at a show. O’Keefe was so impressed he invited Williams to be on his popular TV program, Six O’Clock Rock.

Viewers loved his work on the show, and it resulted in a record deal for Williams.

Festival Records quickly signed him, and with guidance from O’Keefe, he wrote his first single, “Where My Baby Goes.” It became a number-one hit in Australia by the end of 1957.

O’Keefe then urged Williams to fuse his classical training with pop – a bold move that paid off. 

Oh my gosh, his music just gets to me! He kept releasing hit after hit – I still remember exactly where I was when I first heard “A Star Fell from Heaven” and “Girls Were Made to Love and Kiss” – both of them shot straight into the top ten, it was incredible! And then, to prove he wasn’t just lucky, he wrote “Just Like a Child” himself, and it quickly became another one of my absolute favorites. Seriously, everything he touches turns to gold!

As a lifestyle observer, I can tell you that back in the late ’50s and early ’60s, Williams really became a household name in Australia. He quickly established himself as one of our brightest young talents – a true star on the rise!

He shared the stage with American music legends like Little Richard, Fabian, and Jerry Lee Lewis, and frequently performed at Sydney Stadium. He even captivated an enormous crowd of 100,000 people at a massive concert in Hyde Park.

By the 1960s, he was well-known across the country, regularly appearing on popular TV shows like Bandstand and The Ernie Sigley Show.

Heartbroken fans took to social media to pay tribute to Williams.

‘Oh so sad to hear the great loss of a great singer and a real gentleman,’ one person wrote.

Another fan shared their sadness, saying they enjoyed watching him perform and that he’ll be fondly remembered.

Williams didn’t truly retire and continued performing at clubs and cabarets for the rest of his life, always maintaining a strong connection with his fans.

In 1985, Festival Records honored his work by including a commemorative album in their ‘The Festival Files’ series, officially recognizing his lasting impact.

In 1995, the Powerhouse Museum held a special exhibition celebrating his impact on Australian music.

He received seven MO Award nominations and was well-known for generously giving his time and skills to many charities.

Honestly, it’s amazing to see how much of Warren Williams’ talent lives on! His sons – Andrew, Darren, and Warren Jr. – are all doing incredible things in the entertainment world, and it just proves how legendary he truly was. It’s like his musical gift was passed down to them, and they’re all carrying the torch so brilliantly. I’m just so proud to see his family continuing his legacy!

He is also survived by his daughter Tracey and his wife Jan.

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2025-12-01 08:34