Guitar, 'Col Joye' model
Object No. 2007/68/1
This acoustic guitar has significance as an example of how the Australian singer Col Joye allowed his name to be used in the merchandising of products. Joye was a marketable commodity, particularly from 1959 through the early 1960s. Other products to which he put his name were 'Col Joye' shirts, gloves, handkerchiefs and sweaters. A 'Col Joye' electric guitar was also marketed. The virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel's first guitar was a 'Col Joye' model. Manufactured in Japan, these were relatively inexpensive guitars rather than fine instruments. Although they are thought to have sold well, today these acoustic models are quite rare. Col Joye was one of the biggest stars of the first wave of Australian rock 'n' roll. His career began when he and brothers Kevin and Keith Jacobsen formed the KJ Quintet, with John Bogie on drums and Dave Bridge on guitar. With their home-made guitars and bass, plus piano and drums, they then added Laurie Irwin on saxophone and began playing at dances in and around Sydney. Soon the band became the Joyboys and Colin Jacobsen became Col Joye. Festival Records signed Col Joye and released his first record in mid-1958. His first big hit was the romantic rock ballad 'Bye Bye Baby' in 1959, the same year that 'Oh Yeah Uh Huh' became the first rock song recorded and produced in Australia to become a national number one hit. 1960 saw the release of Col's first LP, 'Songs That Rocked the Stadium'. Recording conditions at Festival were primitive: on 'Oh Yeah Uh Huh' Bogie's 'drum' beat was tapped out on a typewriter. Col Joye appeared regularly and exclusively on Channel Nine's 'Bandstand', which cemented his position as one of Australia's most popular TV personalities. His national television profile ensured good record sales, and by 1963 he had released 20 singles, 24 EPs and 19 LPs. Joye continued as an entertainer while developing a career in the business side of the music industry. Showing a keen business sense, the Jacobsen brothers branched out into music publishing and booking-agency work. Col established his own record label (ATA) and continued to entertain audiences, performing on the 'Long Way to the Top' concert tour in 2002.
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Summary
Object Statement
Acoustic guitar, 'Col Joye Model', wood / metal / plastic, maker unknown, Japan, 1960-1970
Physical Description
Acoustic guitar, 'Col Joye Model', wood / metal / plastic, maker unknown, Japan, 1960-1970 A six string steel string acoustic guitar with a plywood body, solid wood neck and machine head. No truss rod. Tobacco sunburst on soundboard. Fixed saddle. Plastic bridge, nut and tuning machines. Headstock has label 'Col Joye Model'. On the back of the headstock is a 'Made in Japan' sticker. Scratchplate missing. Metal tailpiece has been replaced. Mother-of-pearl inlay around soundhole, with alternate bands of black and white plastic, not painted. Sticker on back of neck reads 'Cash Converters $26'.
DIMENSIONS
Height
990 mm
Width
370 mm
Depth
120 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
'Col Joye Model' guitars were made in Japan by a Japanese manufacturer under a merchandising arrangement whereby the singer's name was attached to the guitar, presumably in return for a percentage of sales revenues.
HISTORY
Notes
'Col Joye Model' guitars were originally sold in Sydney by the music store Nicholson's. Knowing its significance, the donor purchased this one at Cash Converters for $26 around 2003.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of John Bogie, 2007
Acquisition Date
21 June 2007
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