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Iconic Aussie Guitarist Spencer P. Jones Dies Following Cancer Diagnosis
Spencer Patrick Jones (1956 – 21 August 2018) was a New Zealand guitar player and singer-songwriter from Te Awamutu.

Guitarist Spencer P. Jones has died following a battle with liver cancer. Jones had previously revealed his struggle with liver disease in 2016, which was met with benefit gigs and fundraisers throughout Australia. This latest diagnosis was made public in June of this year.

In a career spanning five decades, Jones was part of a wide range of different bands and projects that helped define the sound of rock in the '80s and beyond. Collaborating with many of Australia's most notable players throughout, Jones was an icon of the music scene. As the Violent Femmes' Brian Ritchie described him, Jones was like "the Keith Richards of Australia, without the rock stardom."

Born in Te Awamutu, New Zealand in 1956, Jones moved to Australia in 1976, where he quickly joined a number of groups including Country Killed, Cuban Heels, and Beats Working. In the early '80s, Jones joined The Johnnys and formed the Beasts of Bourbon, which remain his most well-known outfits. Jones was also known for playing in Paul Kelly’s band, and alongside Chris Bailey of the Saints as well.

In addition to these bands and collaborations, Jones released 10 solo albums, featuring contributions from members of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, the Dirty Three, The Triffids, and in later years, The Drones. His most recent record was Runaways, written and recorded with ex-Beasts Of Bourbon bandmate Kim Salmon.

In 2012, Australian Guitar magazine ranked him in the top 40 Australian guitarists of all time.