Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Kelly has published a death notice in the Monday edition of The Age newspaper, announcing the passing of “Joe”, the incarcerated hero of his 1996 song How To Make Gravy.
According to the public notice, which ran on Page 33 of The Age, Joe’s death was the result of “sudden misadventure”. He is described as the much-loved father, husband, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle to Dan, Rita, Stella, Roger, Mary, Angus, Frank and Dolly (all names that feature in the track).
The death notice for Joe, prisoner and protagonist of Paul Kelly’s 1996 song How To Make Gravy. Credit:
The death notice includes plenty of references to the song, including Joe’s love of reggae music and Jamaican artist Junior Murvin (You’ll put on Junior Murvin and push the tables back).
The notice ends by teasing that a funeral service will be held on Thursday, followed by a “wake to end all wakes”. Kelly posted the notice on his Instagram page, accompanied by the caption, “RIP, Joe.”
On first read, the notice appears to be a marketing stunt foreshadowing some kind of announcement from Kelly on Thursday. The singer is also about to embark on his biggest ever national tour, which begins in Perth on August 26.
This masthead contacted Kelly’s label, EMI Music Australia, which refused to comment on the public notice.
“Paul’s label has no comment to make in regards to the funeral notice that has run in today’s Age,” an EMI spokesperson said.
Paul Kelly (centre) with Nick Waterman and Megan Washington last year at the premiere of the film How to Make Gravy.Credit: Ben Symons
However, this masthead’s classifieds team confirmed that the notice was placed by EMI Music Australia.