Who's Gonna Make the Gravy Now? We Ask Master Storyteller Paul Kelly
It all began with a funeral notice published on page 33 of The Age newspaper on August 11, 2025:
"With great sorrow, we announce the death of Joe by sudden misadventure. Much-loved father, husband, brother, brother-in-law and uncle to Dan, Rita, Stella, Roger, Mary, Angus, Frank and Dolly. You loved life and went hard at it. You loved music, food, football, celebration, tall tales and strong argument. We can still see you cooking up a storm in the kitchen at our big family gatherings, pots and pans on the go, BBQ smoking outside, glass of wine in hand, your beloved reggae music on the stereo, Junior Murvin, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Gregory Isaac and the like. You filling up everybody's drinks and teasing the little ones. Christmas just won't be the same this year without you. But we know you'll always be with us, hovering above us, floating all around us, making sure we get it right. The funeral and service will be on August 14th. Followed by a wake to end all wakes! Further details to follow."
We first met Joe in 1996 through a letter he wrote to his brother Dan on December 21, while incarcerated and fearful of losing his wife Rita and their children. His concern was that no one would know how to make gravy for Christmas.
That letter became the lyrics for Paul Kelly's classic song, How To Make Gravy.
On August 15, 2025, Paul Kelly released Rita Wrote A Letter, the long-awaited sequel to that story.
Summary
This powerful narrative captures Joe's love for family, life, and music, inspiring Paul Kelly's enduring songs that connect personal loss with cultural tradition.
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