Music legend Paul Kelly announces death of beloved character Joe from iconic Christmas song How To Make Gravy

7NEWS

17 hours ago

Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly has shocked fans with the death of one of the most famous characters from his hit song, How To Make Gravy.
On Monday, the music legend posted a public notice in The Age newspaper declaring Joe, the convict cook and star of the hugely popular 1996 Aussie Christmas anthem, had died.
The notice was also shared on Kelly's Instagram with the short caption: 'RIP, Joe.'
'With great sorrow, we announce the death of Joe by sudden misadventure. Much loved father, husband, brother, brother-in-law and uncle to Dan, Rita, Stella, Roger, Mary, Angus, Frank and Dolly,' the public notice said.
'We'll miss you badly, Joe. You loved life and went hard at it.
'You loved music, food, football, celebration, tall tales and strong argument.
'We can still see you cooking up a storm in the kitchen at our big family gatherings, pots and pans on the go, BBQ smoking outside, glass of wine in hand, your beloved reggae music on the stereo, Junior Murvin, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Gregory Isaac and the like.
'You filling up everybody's drinks and teasing the little ones.
'Christmas just won't be the same this year without you.'
Of course, the notice also included the infamous lyric: 'Who's gonna make the gravy?'
It's a question that fans of the song are asking too, as they mourn the beloved character.
'But we know you'll always be with us, hovering above us, floating all around us, making sure we get it right. And laughing when we don't,' the notice continued.
'The funeral and service will be on August 14th. Followed by a wake to end all wakes!
'Further details to follow.'
Kelly's followers expressed their sadness but also wondered if there was more behind his cryptic post — some speculated it was the musician teasing the long-awaited sequel to his iconic Australian song.
'I feel like there's more to this? What's happening on August 14?' one person commented on the post.
'Is this the follow up song?' another questioned.
'Just like the gravy, the plot thickens,' wrote one fan.
Kelly's song — the inspiration for Binge's 2024 film How To Make Gravy — tells the story of Joe, a prisoner longing to spend Christmas with his family.
In a letter to his brother, Dan, Joe shares a recipe for gravy (featuring flour, salt, red wine, and a dollop of tomato sauce) to help prepare the family's festive dinner.
Joe asks Dan to care for his children in his absence and confesses his regret over his mistakes, expressing how much he wishes he could be there.
He also pleads with Dan to support his wife, Rita, but warns him not to get too close, with the lyrics saying: 'Oh brother, please don't stab me in the back.'
In May, the 70-year-old songwriter revealed during an interview on ABC's Double J radio show Tower Of Song that he had completed the sequel to his iconic hit titled Rita Wrote A Letter.
'I always wanted to sort of have more, I guess, her point of view in that whole situation,' Kelly said.
'It took a little dark turn, but I can't really say much more about that.'
The 1996 track made its triple j Hottest 100 Australian Songs debut in July, coming in at number nine.
Kelly will kick off his arena tour in September.