Australian entertainer Jon English has been described as a “titan” of a performer who has left behind “a profound archive” of outstanding achievement at a memorial concert in Sydney.

The 66-year-old singer, songwriter and actor died on March 10, following complications from what was supposed to be a routine operation.

Family, friends, musicians, actors and fans packed the Capitol Theatre in Sydney’s CBD for the public memorial service.

• Bye, bye baby: the curse of the ageing rockers
• Australian rocker Jon English dies, aged 66
• A new singer? AC/DC’s dramatic makeover

Among the guests was long-time fan Sharon Fuller who saw him at the Capitol Theatre five times in Jesus Christ Superstar.

“I have had a crush on Jon English since I was 16,” she said.

“He once asked if I was stalking him. I said: ‘Yes, since 1972’.”

Jon English died on March 10 after complications from a routine operation. Photo: AAP

Cynthia Getchell-Rouse and Lizzy McSherry lined up before dawn to make sure they got the best seats at the memorial service.

“I have been a fan for 45 years,” Ms Getchell-Rouse said.

“I loved his acting, singing and charisma. No other performer has done what he could do.

“Whenever I met him he has always cared about his fans.”

His manager for almost two decades, Peter Rix, paid tribute to English’s “extraordinary” talents and career.

“Wherever Jonno went, he was always the star,” he told the memorial.

“He was a singer, a composer, an actor, a musician, a television star, he was a titan of the stage and of film.

“But remember, always a husband and a father, and whether I liked it or not, always captain of the ship.”

Trevor White, who starred alongside English in Jesus Christ Superstar, told the gathering they had met during “cattle call” auditions for the show and went on to become close friends.

“Who should I sit next to of all people but Jon English,” he said.

John Paul Young performs at the public memorial at the Capitol Theatre. Photo: AAP

“He was this enthusiastic gushing-with-excitement guy.

“Who would have known that after weeks and weeks of auditions around the country and several call backs, we would end up working together, opposite each other for over 2000 performances.

“He used to spit all over me every night, eight times a week,” he told the memorial, which erupted with laughter.

Jon English’s brother Jeremy and Jon’s son Jonathan. Photo: ABC

He described English as a “dream to work with”.

“We have amazing memories, it was the beginning of a lot of careers, especially for Jon although he’d been singing with various bands,” he said.

“This opened the door for him and of course he grew and grew and grew in stature and confidence, mind you, not that he ever lacked confidence.”

Pop royalty John Paul Young, who starred alongside English in the same musical and who performed at the memorial, said he was still coming to terms with the loss.

“Jon’s death is still sinking in,” he said.

“It makes you think about your own mortality.”

The service opened with an instrumental dubbed the “Jon English medley” performed by the Foster Brothers who English had a band with during the 1980s.

A video was then played with the rock legend performing one of his best known hits, Hollywood Seven.

John Waters performs during a public memorial service for singer Jon English at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney. Photo: AAP

-ABC