Melbourne, Australia — Marcie Jones, the powerhouse voice behind Australia’s trailblazing girl group Marcie & The Cookies, has died at the age of 79 — just days after revealing her battle with leukemia and mere weeks before she was set to celebrate her 80th birthday with one final blowout performance.
The beloved performer passed away on Friday, May 30, according to a heartfelt Facebook post shared by her daughter-in-law Lisa Asta. “It’s with great sadness to let you all know that my beautiful mother-in-law, Marcie Jones, passed away yesterday evening. I feel numb inside,” Asta wrote. “You made me laugh so hard and always gave me great advice. You were a legend, an icon, and you will always be remembered.”
Jones had only recently gone public with her cancer diagnosis. In a candid Facebook update posted earlier that week, she wrote: “Sorry to start the day with rotten news. I am in hospital with leukemia, starting treatment soon. We are all feeling very scared but I’ll fight as hard as I can.”
Just weeks before her passing, she had excited fans by announcing plans for a farewell concert to mark her 80th birthday and 65 years in the music business. The event, scheduled for June 29 at the Melbourne Bowling Club, was billed by Jones as a celebration of her “journey with many friends and music and film.”
“Who would have thought it would last that long,” she joked in the post, referencing her extraordinary career. “I want it to be a hell of a party. So if you want to join me, hold that date. Much love, Marcie xxxx.”
Born in 1945 in Melbourne, Jones began singing professionally at just 15 years old, joining the Thunderbirds and performing at iconic dance venues like the Canterbury Ballroom and Preston Town Hall. But it was in 1967 that she made history — teaming up with sisters Margaret, Beverley, and Wendy Cook to form Marcie & The Cookies, one of Australia’s first all-female pop groups in a male-dominated industry.
The group’s fresh sound and stage presence earned them international acclaim. They released fan-favorite singles like “I Would If I Could”, “All or Nothing”, and a seasonal staple — their cover of “White Christmas.” The Cookies toured extensively across Europe, Asia, and the UK, leaving an indelible mark on pop music.
By the early 1970s, Jones launched her solo career, signing with Warner Music and dropping her debut solo album That Girl Jones in 1974. The single “Gonna Get Married” became a modest hit, reaching No. 37 on the Australian charts. Her rich contralto voice and dynamic energy earned her opening slots with megastars like The Monkees, The Seekers, Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, and Gene Pitney, with whom she toured five times.
She continued recording into the 2000s, releasing Here I Am in 2005. In her later years, she became known not only as a vocalist but also as a mentor, nostalgic icon, and beloved figure on the Australian music scene.
The Australian Recording Industry Association paid tribute to Jones in a statement Saturday, calling her “a true pioneer of Australian music — a fearless performer who opened doors for countless women in the industry.”
Jones’ legacy spans continents and generations — from her trailblazing days with The Cookies to her fierce solo work and her candid presence on social media in her final years. Despite her diagnosis, Jones had no plans of fading quietly.
As she put it in her final post to fans: “I retired last year very quickly and without much thought. It caused an uproar with my family. So I am doing one more for my 80th.”
Unfortunately, the curtain fell just a little too soon.
She is survived by her family, devoted fans, and a musical legacy that continues to inspire.
“Until we meet again to sing another song,” wrote Asta in her tribute. “I love you.”
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