Ignatius Jones

Ignatius Jones was born in 1957 as Juan Ignacio Rafaelo Lorenzo Trápaga y Esteban, in Singalong, Manila, Philippines, of a Basque-Chinese father, Nestor Juan Trápaga, and a Catalan-American mother, Margot (born 15 May 1935, nee Esteban).

Juan Ignacio Rafaelo Lorenzo Trápaga y Esteban (born 1957), known professionally as Ignatius Jones is a Filipino-born Australian events director and journalist who previously fronted the shock rock band Jimmy and the Boys.

Also born in Manila are two of his younger siblings, Luis Miguel and Rocio Maria (born 9 August 1962).

His paternal grandfather was a conductor while Jones' father, Nestor, was a musician playing violin, conga and bongo drums.

In January 1963 Nestor migrated to Australia via a plane flight to Sydney, followed in March by Margot (Margaret) and their three children.

His maternal grandfather, Luis Esteban (died 1964), was an actor and professional cartoonist, while his maternal grandmother, Mary Case Esteban (born 1908), was a caterer for state events – including for then-President Ferdinand Marcos – and a couturier.

Jones' younger sister, Monica Trapaga, was born in 1965 in Sydney – she was later a Play School presenter and children's entertainer.

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.

By the end of the 1970s they were "one of the most popular live acts on the Australian scene".

Jones became a naturalised Australian in 1971, but maintains a dual Spanish-Australian citizenship.

Jones grew up in Wahroonga and attended St Leo's Catholic College before switching to St Ignatius' College, Riverview, near the Sydney river-side suburb of Lane Cove.

Jones contended for dux of his year level with Tony Abbott – later Prime Minister – Jones struggled with mathematics but excelled in Ancient Greek and Latin.

Jones followed Monica to her dance lessons and started a theatrical career as a classical ballet dancer but switched to more contemporary music.

From 1976 to 1982, the group pioneered the use of shock theatrics in Australia.

In 1976, Ignatius Jones was a founding mainstay member of shock rockers Jimmy and the Boys with Joylene Thornbird Hairmouth (born William O'Riordan) which formed in Sydney.

The original line-up was Jones on lead vocals, Hairmouth on keyboards and vocals, Tom Falkinham on bass guitar, Scott Johnson on drums, Jason Morphett on saxophone and Andrew de Teliga on guitar.

On-stage Jones was also a contortionist and Hairmouth was "the kitchiest [sic] of transvestites", other than Jones and Hairmouth, the line-up was regularly changed.

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 1981 they scored their only top 10 single with "They Won't Let My Girlfriend Talk to Me", 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.

After issuing two studio albums and a live set, the group disbanded in 1982 with Jones set to pursue a solo career.

In April 1982, Ignatius Jones issued his debut solo single, "Like a Ghost", which was written by The Church's frontman Steve Kilbey.

Jones' second single, "Whispering Your Name", appeared in March 1983.

Both singles were "hot dance club favourites among the gay community on the American west coast".

As a journalist, Jones contributed to RAM (aka Rock Australia Magazine) – starting in 1983, The Edge and, in June 1985 became the editor of Stilletto magazine.

As an actor, Jones appeared on TV series including Sweet and Sour (1984) and Culture Shock (1985).

In 1984, Jones formed Arms & Legs with Jeremy Cook on drums, Kirk Godfrey on guitar (ex-Big Red Tractor), Steve Harris on bass guitar (Passengers, Visitors) and Andrew Ross on keyboards (Ward 13) but they disbanded after a year.

In 1984, as an actor, he appeared in an episode of ABC-TV's music drama series, Sweet and Sour.

In 1985 Jones was a member of a swing jazz-cabaret band, Pardon Me Boys, with O'Riordan and Jones' sister, Monica Trapaga.

In 1985, he appeared on Culture Shock for SBS-TV as a reporter on youth affairs and interviewer.

He had minor roles in comedy films including Those Dear Departed (1987) and Pandemonium (1988).

For the 1987 comedy film, Those Dear Departed, Jones acted in the role of Phil Rene alongside stars Garry McDonald and Pamela Stephenson.

For the 1988 campy comedy film, Pandemonium, he portrayed a marriage celebrant and supported David Argue in the lead role.

In 1990 Jones, with Pat Sheil, co-wrote True Hip and Jones followed it a year later with The 1992 True Hip Manual.

In 1990 Jones, with Pat Sheil, co-wrote True Hip and Jones followed it a year later with The 1992 True Hip Manual.

For the 1992 musical film, Strictly Ballroom, Jones sang "Yesterday's Hero" (original by John Paul Young).

On the soundtrack for 1992 musical film, Strictly Ballroom, Jones performed John Paul Young's song "Yesterday's Hero", and the Spanish dance-flavoured, "Rhumba de Burros".

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.