James Valentine, the versatile Australian musician, broadcaster and author who found fame as a saxophonist with the 1980s band Models before becoming a beloved voice on ABC Radio, has died at the age of 64 following a battle with cancer. His family confirmed his passing in a statement issued on Thursday, April 23, 2026, saying he died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones.
Valentine’s career spanned four decades, beginning in the vibrant Australian music scene of the 1980s where he established himself as a talented saxophonist with an ear for jazz. He performed and toured extensively with several notable bands including Models, Absent Friends, and the Wendy Matthews Band, collaborating with artists such as Jo Camilleri, Stephen Cummings, and Kate Ceberano.
His perform with Models included contributions to their fourth and most commercially successful album, Out of Mind, Out of Sight, which peaked at No. 84 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1986 and remained on the listing for 18 weeks. The album produced three domestic top 40 hits: “Sizeable on Love,” “Barbados,” and the title track, with the latter reaching No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charting for 13 weeks.
When Models were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Sydney in 2010, Valentine joined his former bandmates on stage to accept the honour. Just days later, the band’s co-frontman and bass player James Freud died by suicide at the age of 51, a loss that deeply affected the group.
Reflecting on their time together, Models drummer Barton Price told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that although they may have felt significant in their own minds, Valentine never took their success too seriously. Bandmate Roger Mason described him as “a exceptionally down-to-earth person” and “the most mature one in the band,” adding with characteristic affection that this maturity was “annoyingly” evident.
Beyond music, Valentine discovered a second calling in broadcasting, where his warmth, curiosity, and engaging interview style made him a household name across Australia. He hosted radio and television programs across the ABC for 30 years, most notably presenting the 702 ABC Sydney Afternoons radio show for over two decades.
His ability to connect with listeners on a personal level turned his program into a national staple, drawing audiences well beyond Sydney. In recognition of his skill, Valentine received a Bronze Award for Best Two-Way Telephone Talk/Interview Show at the Modern York Festival’s Radio Awards in 2020.
Tributes poured in from across the political and cultural spectrum following his death. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told 702 ABC Sydney that Valentine “was someone who was always worth listening to,” praising his interesting nature and zest for life. ABC chair Kim Williams described him as a “creative polymath,” while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns highlighted his “quirky, unique way of talking with people,” noting he was “both an interested and interesting person” who would be “hugely missed.”
In a poignant final honour, Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn revealed that Valentine had been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) just the weekend before his death. The award recognised his exceptional service, particularly his contributions to community dialogue through radio. Mostyn shared that Valentine often spoke about “lovely, gentle, sensible” ideas concerning how communities come together and the role individuals play within them.
Valentine had been open about his health struggles, informing listeners in March 2024 that he had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and would take a abandon of absence for treatment. He returned to the 702 ABC Sydney Afternoons slot in 2025 but stepped away again in June after scans detected a tumour in his omentum.
He is survived by his wife Joanne and their two children, who were with him in his final moments as stated in the family’s announcement.
As Australia reflects on the life and legacy of James Valentine, his contributions to both music and public conversation endure through recordings, broadcasts, and the countless lives he touched with his kindness, intellect, and unwavering authenticity.