Tributes have poured in from Australia’s music and media sectors following the death of James Valentine, a revered saxophonist and long-time broadcaster. Valentine passed away at the age of 64 using voluntary assisted dying, two years after receiving a cancer diagnosis, as confirmed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). His expansive career seamlessly blended his talents as a musician, most notably with the band Models, and his influential role as a broadcaster for the ABC.

Artists such as Jimmy Barnes and Iva Davies were among those who reflected on Valentine’s profound impact. Barnes, a long-time acquaintance, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, recalling Valentine’s passion for music, his performances with Models, and his gentle yet insightful presence as an interviewer on ABC radio. He expressed how much Valentine’s voice would be missed by many.

Iva Davies, frontman of Icehouse, also released a detailed statement highlighting their decades-long connection. Davies recounted meeting Valentine on the road with Models in the early 1980s, recognizing him as a great musician who later contributed his skill and joy by playing saxophone on Icehouse’s ‘Code Blue’ album. He further emphasized Valentine’s transition to an innovative and beloved broadcaster at ABC, where their paths frequently crossed, always marked by engaging conversations and shared anecdotes.

Members of INXS also paid their respects, reminiscing about their shared experiences during the mid-1980s Australian Made tour. They described Valentine as an incredible musician and an amazing human, consistently positive, caring, and involved. The band fondly remembered their camaraderie with Valentine, who later became part of Absent Friends with Garry, contributing to an album and live performances. They acknowledged his remarkable career in television, radio, and as a writer, noting how his wit and warmth endeared him to everyone, extending their condolences to his wife, Joanne, and children, Ruby and Roy.

Valentine’s career was characterized by its dual nature, spanning both the vibrant music industry and the influential world of broadcasting. As a musician, he performed on Models’ ‘Out of Mind, Out of Sight,’ an album that reached No. 84 on the Billboard 200 and spawned a Billboard Hot 100 single in 1986. His versatility extended to being a session and touring musician for numerous Australian acts throughout the 1980s.

In his later years, Valentine became a defining voice on ABC radio, hosting programs for over three decades, including a long and popular tenure on 702 ABC Sydney’s Afternoons show. His distinctive conversational style and curiosity-driven interviews garnered him a broad national audience, significantly expanding his influence beyond the music industry alone. Industry figures have widely emphasized this unique crossover impact, recognizing Valentine as a rare figure equally at ease onstage and behind the microphone.

His passing coincides with renewed recognition of his contributions; Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn recently confirmed Valentine’s appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), acknowledging his dedicated service to both music and media. The outpouring of grief and tribute reflects not only his lasting legacy as a musician but also the enduring reach of his broadcasting career, which brought his voice into the daily lives of countless listeners for decades. James Valentine is survived by his wife and two children.