Approaching the anniversary of the 1979 Star Hotel riot this weekend is bittersweet.
Peter de Jong, lead musician of The Heroes, died last week from leukaemia, aged 74.
The musician, who will be farewelled on Friday, became firmly associated with the infamous riot over the closure of a Newcastle pub.
Sign up to The Nightly’s newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.
That night, thousands took to the streets, a police car was set alight, almost 30 were arrested, and de Jong was, at one stage, accused of inciting it all.
‘A quadruple threat’
De Jong first entered the music scene in the 60s before forming his first band, Armageddon, in the early 70s.
Best friend Jim Porteus told The Nightly he remembered seeing them perform for the first time at Hoadley’s Battle of the Bands in 1972.
“I was just aghast at his absolute presence, his charisma, as was everybody,” Porteus said.
Mark Tinson, who would go on to play alongside de Jong for several decades, was there that night, too.
Peter de Jong and Mark Tinson first met in 1972. Credit: Supplied – Mark Tinson
He described the late musician as “a quadruple threat” to The Nightly.
“He could sing,” Tinson said.
“He could play guitar well.
“He could write great songs.
“He was a terrific frontman… and not bad looking to boot.”
Years later, the three formed The Heroes with Phil Screen; which would become immortalised in history after the events of the Star Hotel.
‘I want fighting in the streets’
September 19, 1979 was supposed to be a night for the ages, one of Newcastle’s favourite pubs was closing its doors, and the steel city was sending it off the only way it knew how: with a big party.
The Star Hotel catered for a diverse crowd: seafarers, the LGBTQIA+ community, and live music lovers.
On the pub’s final night, the beloved The Heroes were headlining.
The Heroes became immortalised in Australian music history. Credit: Supplied – de Jong family
When the clock hit 10pm, their final song was cut short by the police.
“We’ve got to go, because when the pigs say you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go,” de Jong told the raucous crowd after the police interrupted their set.
The band was not aware of the chaos that was starting to unfold out on the street outside.
When the audience kicked up a stink at the early finish, The Heroes did what they did best and sang an encore, a song called The Star and the Slaughter.
“I want action, I want fighting in the street, I’m gonna take this town by storm… They will remember the night of the star and the slaughter,” de Jong sang to the packed pub.
Those lyrics went on to be immortalised in Australian music history and were prophetic of what was to come — despite being written by former bass player Allan Cook the year prior.
As a small team of police tried to move on a crowd of about 4000 people, outrage kicked in.
Rocks, beer cans, and pieces of wood were thrown at police; a paddy wagon was set alight; and 29 were arrested.
It made headlines around the world, with people taking to the streets over an Australian pub closing its doors.
De Jong was charged with inciting a riot over his comments on stage, a charge that was later downgraded.
In his book, Tinson wrote that The Heroes “gladly paid” the $200 fine for their frontman.
“Pete got into real trouble just because one of his typically cheeky remarks when the police told him to finish up,” Porteus said.
The Star Hotel riot of 1979 made headlines all around the world. Credit: Ron Bell
In a 2019 documentary, The Star Hotel Riot, de Jong reflected on the night.
“The main change was not to the town but to (The Heroes),” he said.
Tinson agreed. That fateful night led to a record deal with Alberts, an appearance on Countdown, a support slot with ACDC, and national touring opportunities.
Porteus and Tinson both said association with that night was something they could not escape, almost 46 years later.
“It’s part of us,” Porteus said.
“And especially part of Pete.”
That infamous night was immortalised in Cold Chisel song Star Hotel.
Cold Chisel member Don Walker told The Nightly to pass on his condolences to de Jong’s family.
“The passing of Pete de Jong is very sad news,” he said.
“Years before Cold Chisel or the closing of the Star Hotel I saw Pete performing in a Hoadley’s Battle of the Bands competition in Newcastle, and I always remembered his singing, his guitar playing and his charisma.
“I got to meet him late in life.”
‘Completely devoted to the girls’
De Jong leaves behind his wife of 44 years, Andre, and his 28-year-old twins Nicola and Olivia.
He may have been a musician, but first and foremost, he was a family man, Porteus said.
Jim Porteus said that Peter de Jong was a family man first and foremost. Credit: Supplied – de Jong family
“He was completely devoted to the girls, looking after Andre, and he was so proud of them,” he said.
It was only a few weeks ago that de Jong announced his retirement from music after 50 years in a social media post, citing months of health issues.
Peter and Andre de Jong recently celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary. Credit: Supplied – de Jong family
In the heartfelt statement, the musician said he was sharing the news “with a very heavy heart”.
“You allowed me to do something I’ve loved my whole life, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful,” he wrote.
“My heartfelt thanks to you all. It’s been a groovy ride.”
Before he signed off, “Peace and love”.
‘Such an honour’
For Porteus, who said he had performed “about 5000 gigs with Pete”, the loss of his “absolute best friend” was obviously devastating.
“I really thank him for being my best friend… for listening, we shared each other’s lives and for, for me to be able to be part of, of his incredible contribution,” he said.
“He was the songwriter. He was the performer. It was just such an honour.”
Peter de Jong only retired from live gigs in recent weeks. Credit: Supplied – Mark Tinson
Since his death last week, there has been an outpouring of support for de Jong with countless tributes flowing online.
Tinson said it was not surprising, but it was very touching.
“We didn’t perhaps even realise the effect that Pete and the band as a whole had on the music community,” he said.
“I think it’s just really nice that people have gone, ‘yep, this guy was one of the truly great musicians’… that everybody looked up to.”
A funeral for de Jong will be held on Friday.
