There’s a certain irony in the fact that Red Symons built a career on his sharp, satirical wit — but the story that has most defined him in recent years is one of profound personal loss, as behind the public persona of a brash TV judge and rock guitarist lies a life marked by music, television, and the heartbreaking death of his eldest son Samuel from a brain tumour. This article pieces together the verified facts about his life, his real name, and the tragedy that reshaped his legacy.
Real Name: Redmond Symons ·
Born: 13 June 1949 ·
Occupation: Musician, television and radio personality ·
Known For: Lead guitarist of Skyhooks, judge on Australia’s Got Talent ·
Status: Alive as of latest reports ·
Son: Samuel Symons (deceased, brain tumour)
Quick snapshot
- Real name: Redmond Symons (Wikipedia)
- Born 13 June 1949 (Wikipedia)
- Lead guitarist of Skyhooks (EntertainOz)
- Son Samuel died from a brain tumour in 2018 (The Sydney Morning Herald)
- Current partner or marital status
- Precise IQ score
- Net worth
- Religious beliefs
- Current health condition
- Current exact location
- 1949: Born in England (Wikipedia)
- 1970s: Lead guitarist of Skyhooks (EntertainOz)
- 2007–2009: Judge on Australia’s Got Talent (Wikipedia)
- 2018: Son Samuel dies (The Sydney Morning Herald)
- No public appearances or projects announced
- Red Symons remains a private figure
Six key facts about Red Symons, one pattern: his public career is well-documented, but his private life remains largely shielded from view.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Redmond Symons |
| Born | 13 June 1949 |
| Occupation | Musician, television and radio personality |
| Known For | Lead guitarist of Skyhooks, judge on Australia’s Got Talent |
| Status | Alive |
| Son | Samuel Symons (deceased) |
What happened to Red Symons’ son?
- Samuel Symons was diagnosed with a brain tumour at age four. (The Sydney Morning Herald (leading Australian news outlet))
- He died on 3 October 2018 at the age of 27. (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- Red Symons and his family documented the battle in an Australian Story episode in 2010. (Wikipedia)
How did Red Symons speak about his son’s death?
Red Symons has spoken publicly about the loss, describing the pain of watching his son suffer. In interviews, he emphasised that Samuel’s courage was an inspiration. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the family’s private grief and their decision to share Samuel’s story through the Australian Story documentary.
What was Samuel Symons’ illness?
Samuel suffered from an aggressive brain tumour diagnosed when he was four years old. He underwent treatment and lived a full life for many years, but the cancer eventually claimed his life in 2018. Now To Love (Australian women’s magazine) covered the family’s long battle with the disease.
The Symons family chose to share their story publicly, turning a private tragedy into a source of awareness for childhood cancer. For Red Symons, that openness came at a cost: the constant reminder of a loss that never fades.
The implication: By publicising their son’s battle, the Symons family turned personal grief into a platform for advocacy, yet for Red Symons, the pain remained private and constant.
What is Red Symons’ real name?
- His legal name is Redmond Symons. (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- He was born on 13 June 1949 in Brighton, Sussex, England. (Wikipedia)
- He emigrated to Australia at age nine in 1958. (Cigars, Cars, Guitars (fan site))
What is Red Symons’ IQ?
Red Symons’ IQ is not publicly documented. He earned a Bachelor of Science in pure mathematics and computer science from the University of Melbourne, which suggests strong analytical skills, but no IQ score has ever been reported. Cigars, Cars, Guitars (fan site) notes his academic background.
How old is Red Symons?
As of 2025, Red Symons is 75 years old, having been born on 13 June 1949. Wikipedia confirms the date.
Does Red Symons have a partner?
- He was married to Elly Agrotis from 1990 to 2016. (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- They had three sons: Samuel, Raphael, and Joel. (Wikipedia)
- No confirmed information about a current partner is available. (Wikipedia)
Who is Red Symons’ wife?
His ex-wife is Elly Agrotis. They divorced in 2016 after 26 years of marriage. No information about a subsequent relationship has been publicly confirmed.
Is Red Symons married?
Red Symons is not known to be married as of 2025. His marriage to Elly Agrotis ended in divorce.
Is Red Symons still alive?
- Red Symons is alive as of the latest verifiable reports. (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
- He suffered a serious concussion and coma in 2017 after fainting in Melbourne. (YouTube (video report))
- No specific ongoing disease has been reported. (Wikipedia)
What disease does Red Symons have?
There is no public record of Red Symons having a specific disease. The 2017 concussion was a traumatic injury, not a chronic illness.
Where is Red Symons now?
Red Symons’ current location is not publicly known. He has not made any public appearances or statements since leaving his radio show in 2017.
What band was Red Symons in?
- He was the lead guitarist of the Australian band Skyhooks. (EntertainOz (Australian celebrity database))
- He was a judge on Australia’s Got Talent from 2007 to 2009, according to Got Talent Wiki (fan wiki).
- He also hosted ABC Radio Melbourne’s breakfast show from 2003 to 2017. (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
What is Red Symons’ net worth?
Red Symons’ net worth is not publicly documented. While he had a successful career in music, television, and radio, no credible estimates are available.
What is Red Symons’ religion?
Red Symons’ religious beliefs are not known. He has not spoken publicly about religion.
Red Symons’ transition from rock star to radio host to TV judge shows a rare versatility, but his later departure from public life raises questions about the price of fame. For a man who spent decades in the spotlight, the silence after 2017 speaks volumes.
Four key dates in Red Symons’ life, one pattern: a public career followed by personal tragedy.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 13 June 1949 | Born Redmond Symons in Brighton, England. |
| 1970s | Lead guitarist of the band Skyhooks. |
| 2007–2009 | Judge on Australia’s Got Talent. |
| 3 October 2018 | Son Samuel dies from a brain tumour. |
Confirmed facts
- Real name: Redmond Symons. (Wikipedia)
- Born 13 June 1949. (Wikipedia)
- Lead guitarist of Skyhooks. (EntertainOz)
- Judge on Australia’s Got Talent. (Got Talent Wiki)
- Son Samuel died from a brain tumour. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
- Is alive as of latest reports. (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Current partner or marital status.
- Precise IQ score.
- Net worth.
- Religious beliefs.
- Specific disease or health condition.
- Current exact location.
Red Symons has spoken publicly about the loss of his son Samuel, describing the experience as ‘the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to deal with’.
— Red Symons, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald
Red Symons was the lead guitarist of Skyhooks, one of Australia’s most successful rock bands of the 1970s.
— Wikipedia
For Red Symons, the public image of a sharp-tongued entertainer belies a life marked by deep personal loss. The death of his son Samuel from a brain tumour remains the defining event of his later years. For fans and followers, the lesson is clear: the person behind the persona is often carrying a story we can’t see. For Australian media, his legacy is a reminder that even the most caustic personalities can harbour immense grief.
Related reading: **John Clarke: Satirist, Businessman – Cause of Death & Life Story** · **Livinia Nixon: Career Update, Resignation, and New Chapter 2025**
hmn.in.th, watch.plex.tv, facebook.com, nowtolove.com.au, facebook.com, tomburlinson.proboards.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Red Symons’ most famous song?
As a member of Skyhooks, he performed hits like ‘Horror Movie’ and ‘Living in the 70s’.
Did Red Symons write songs for Skyhooks?
Yes, he co-wrote many of the band’s songs.
Is Red Symons on social media?
No public social media accounts are known.
Has Red Symons written any books?
He is an author and has written a book about his experiences.
What radio shows did Red Symons host?
He hosted ABC Radio Melbourne’s breakfast show from 2003 to 2017.
What is Red Symons’ educational background?
He holds a Bachelor of Science in pure mathematics and computer science from the University of Melbourne.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Focus, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.