James Valentine, the Australian musician and radio presenter, passed away last month at the age of 64 through voluntary assisted dying (VAD) after a two-year battle with cancer. His death has sparked an online dialogue, with numerous tributes pouring in to honor his life. A public memorial for the beloved Sydney personality will be held on May 29, 2026, at the Town Hall.
James Valentine's public memorial
Tickets for public registration will be released in waves on the 702 Sydney Radio website, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Additionally, the memorial will be broadcast from 12:30 pm to 2 pm on the same website. Richard Glover, a close friend of Valentine who worked alongside him for 25 years, will host the event.
James Valentine wanted his memorial to be public
Valentine's fellow radio presenter, Craig Reucassel, revealed that the late personality wanted his memorial to be open to the public. "James was very keen; he did plan this whole memorial. He did want people from the public to come along — his fans, people that listened to him," he said. Another presenter, Nick Lowther, added that Valentine also wanted his radio show to be part of the memorial. "He just wants to be able to have a chat through the people he's organised to speak at his memorial," Lowther told ABC.
James Valentine had conducted a living wake
Valentine was diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this year, leading to his retirement in February. He had conducted a living wake, which was a heartfelt episode on Australian Story. "I started to think about the way in which death was so often a time of bitterness, of anger, of regret, shaking your fist at the universe or your god and going, 'what the hell is going on here?' I don't want that," he expressed, as per The Sydney Morning Herald, before adding, "I want my last days to be full of joy and happiness and laughter and jokes and humour – all the things I've loved through life."
About James Valentine
In 2024, James Valentine was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. After taking a break from his prolonged career, he briefly returned last year before his retirement in February. He is survived by his wife and two children. Aside from his success in radio, he was a prolific saxophone player and made an indelible mark with his contributions to multiple bands, including numerous tours.
