Jon taught himself guitar as a child and wrote songs through every chapter of his life, but he never quite believed they were good enough. At 66, he finally shared his gift with the world.
South Africa (22 May 2026) – How often do we let opportunity slip by? Dreams of becoming artists, writers, or musicians fade into the background as the pressures of ‘real life’ or the belief that we’re ‘not good enough’ slowly take hold.
And so the painting becomes a hobby. The writing stays tucked away in journals. The music kept for late nights, and only for the people you love.
But sometimes…there is a little spark.
After a life well lived, we find it again. Courage whispers, ‘Well, why not?’ and even though the pages of those journals have yellowed, or the lyrics we once laboured over are now reflections of a lifetime, we find the confidence to chase that dream again. Not for fame or fortune. But to share it with the world. It is one of the most beautiful things.
Jon Hall, a local musician, has officially released his very first album at 66-years-old, proving to all of us that it is never too late to put your passion out into the world.
His childhood sparked a love for music. As a toddler, Jon lived with his grandfather in Bez Valley where classical and choral music filled the home constantly. He started a band with school friends at just 16, teaching himself to play the piano, guitar, and harmonica.
So gifted and passionate was young Jon that he believed a future in music could be his. Until one day, whilst on a trip to London, a fleeting moment changed it all…
Jon saw a talented busker performing and thought that with so much talent around, he had no chance.
“I once saw a hugely talented busker on a subway in England and after talking to him, decided that with so much talent around, I had no chance. I have had no formal training in music. Just a self-taught passionate busker really.” he tells us.
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The Extraordinary Journey and Emotional Reunion of Yo-Yo the Frenchie!Life took a different path. Jon went on to live a highly successful life running a top marketing and creative agency in South Africa, winning numerous awards for his brilliant storytelling and creative thinking. He raised a beautiful family and poured much of his creativity into the business world.
But the music never left him, nor did his love for writing.
“Words have moved me…and I have always listened to the words of songs and stories for meaning…I was scribbling poems and prose from around 10 and have kept tatty and messy journals of those since.”
His daughter, Jess, remembers how their home was always a sanctuary for his first love.
“For as long as I can remember, there was always a music room somewhere in our home. If you couldn’t find my dad, he’d be there, surrounded by instruments, recording equipment, notebooks and melodies. Our house was constantly filled with music, whether it was his own songs or covers he was experimenting with late into the night.”
Jon kept writing. Songs about the people he loved. About children being born and loved ones being lost. About first love and last love, happy days and hard ones. All of it faithfully recorded in those well-worn journals.
“As my career and family responsibilities grew, playing and recording music played second fiddle and my thousand hours faded,” he reflects. “My confidence/bravery went with it.”
Now retired, Jon has finally overcome the doubts of his youth. He has released his first album! It’s called Backtracks.
“I called the album Backtracks because they are personal reflections of joy and pain I wanted to share with important people in my life,” Jon explains.
The songs span decades, some written as far back as his teenage years, others shaped by the milestones of a full and feeling life.
“What makes these songs even more special is how deeply personal they are. Many of them were written decades ago and are woven into the story of our family and his life. One song was written shortly after I was born 36 years ago and he has sung it to me for my entire life. One was written about Woodstock for my 21st. Others were written about my brother, my mom, my grandparents and different moments and people who shaped him over the years…” Jess tells us.
So what finally made him take the leap with music? In many regards, the inevitable passage of time is what lit the spark again.
“More time to put into arranging lyrics and melodies that up to now I’ve only played on a guitar around family tables and campfires, pressure from my children to record them before I go soft in the head, and acquisition of software skills that have enabled me to bring the songs to life and produce them at a level that lifts the musicality of the songs.”
Jon’s story is a beautiful reminder that our most exciting chapters don’t end just because we grow older. It takes immense vulnerability to take a creative leap later in life, but Jon is putting his music out into the world now, having found the courage to share his art.
Jon credits his wife, kids and friends who have patiently listened, critiqued and encouraged him to bare his soul and get it out there.
It is never too late to chase a dream, to dust off the old journals, and to give your passion a voice.
You can listen to Jon’s beautiful debut album on SoundCloud here.
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