For months, the stage was calling. A major celebration was in the works — not just a birthday, but a moment of reflection on a lifetime of musical legacy. Invitations were being considered, song lists revised, memories revisited. A special performance had been planned for fans who had followed her for decades, spanning vinyl records to streaming platforms.

But just days before the concert plans could truly take form, she shared somber news with her supporters. A sudden diagnosis. An unexpected hospitalization. A brief but emotional post online where she promised to fight, even as fear lingered between the lines. No one could have imagined how little time remained.

And then, silence.

The Australian music world is now in mourning after the passing of Marcie Jones, one of the country’s most iconic voices and pioneers of the female music scene. She died at the age of 79, just two months shy of her milestone birthday.

Jones fronted the legendary girl group Marcie and the Cookies, which rose to prominence in the 1960s — a time when male rock bands dominated the airwaves. Their harmonies, charisma, and unapologetic presence helped carve a space for women in Australian pop music. The group toured widely and famously supported The Monkees during their 1968 Australian tour.

Following the group’s breakup in the early 1970s, Jones pursued a solo career. Her 1974 hit Gonna Get Married climbed to number 37 on the charts and became a defining anthem of her solo era. She appeared on celebrated TV shows of the time including Bandstand and The Graham Kennedy Show, solidifying her status as a household name.

She also shared stages with global icons such as Roy Orbison, Cliff Richard, and Tom Jones — proof of both her talent and the respect she commanded within the industry.

In her later years, Jones remained active, performing locally and maintaining her connection with fans. She had recently opened up about her leukemia diagnosis, posting: “Sorry to start the day with rotten news. I am in hospital with leukaemia. Starting treatment soon. We are all feeling very scared but I’ll fight as hard as I can.”

She passed away just days later, surrounded by loved ones.

Fans and fellow artists flooded social media with tributes, remembering her as a “shining star,” a “trailblazer,” and “one of our much-loved Aussie treasures.” Her daughter-in-law wrote, “You were a legend, an icon, and you will always be remembered.”

Jones is survived by her two children, her daughter-in-law Lisa, and a granddaughter. Her final concert may never happen — but the music lives on.