Cliff Notes – Australian music icon Marcie Jones dies aged 79 days after announcing cancer diagnosis
- Marcie Jones, renowned for her role in the 1960s girl group Marcie & The Cookies, passed away at 79, shortly after revealing her leukemia diagnosis.
- Her daughter-in-law described her as a ‘legend’ and ‘icon,’ highlighting her impact on family and fans alike.
- Jones was a pioneering figure in Australian music, known for her dynamic performances and contributions to the industry over six decades.
Australian music icon Marcie Jones dies aged 79 days after announcing cancer diagnosis
Marcie Jones of Marcie & The Cookies has died aged 79 (Picture: Marcie Jones/Facebook)
Marcie Jones, the trailblazing Australian singer celebrated for her dynamic presence in the 1960s girl group Marcie & The Cookies, has passed away at the age of 79.
Her death on May 31, 2025, came just days after she publicly disclosed her leukemia diagnosis, expressing determination to fight the illness.
Her daughter-in-law, Lisa Asta, confirmed her passing, remembering Jones as a ‘legend, an icon,’ and a guiding light to her family and fans.
She wrote: ‘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.’
‘Marc, never again will there be our little outbursts of song and dance. You made me laugh so hard and always gave me great advice. You were a legend, an icon, and you will always be remembered,’ she continued.
‘You always said that we were so alike in many ways, and that’s why I know you will always be my guiding light.’
Marcie & The Cookies were a trailblazing Australian group (Picture: ANL/REX/Shutterstock)
The group made a major splash in the UK as well (Picture: Potter/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Asta concluded: ‘I will miss you so much. I love you. Until we meet again to sing another song!’
The Australian Recording Industry Association also paid tribute to Jones on Instagram, calling her a ‘True pioneer of Australian music.’
In March 2025, Jones announced plans for a concert to celebrate her 80th birthday and 65 years in the Entertainment industry, scheduled for June 29. However, her health declined rapidly.
‘Sorry to start the day with rotten news. I am in hospital with [leukemia], starting treatment soon,’ she wrote on social media in late May, per Express. ‘We are all feeling very scared but I’ll fight as hard as I can.’
Born in Melbourne in 1945, Jones began her musical journey at 15, performing with local bands such as The Thunderbirds and The Playboys.
Marcie is remembered as a ‘true pioneer of Australian music’ (Picture: Marcie Jones/Facebook)
Her appearances on the popular television program The Go!! Show in the mid-1960s catapulted her to national recognition.
In 1967, Jones joined forces with the Cook sisters, Margaret, Beverley, and Wendy, to form Marcie & The Cookies.
The group stood out in Australia’s male-dominated music scene, delivering hits like I Would If I Could and a rendition of White Christmas. Their synchronized performances and vocal harmonies garnered acclaim, leading to tours across Europe, Asia, and the UK.
Transitioning to a solo career in the 1970s, Jones signed with Warner Music and released her debut album, That Girl Jones, in 1974.
The album featured the single Gonna Get Married, which climbed the charts. Throughout her career, she shared stages with renowned artists such as The Monkees, The Seekers, Cliff Richard, and Tom Jones.
Beyond music, Jones was a multifaceted talent. She authored children’s books, co-hosted a radio show titled Blonde and Blonder, and published her memoir, Runs In The Blood, in 2008.