Dame Jools Topp, one half of the Topp Twins, dies at 68

musicMay 24, 202627440

Dame Jools Topp, one half of New Zealand's Topp Twins, died of breast cancer at 68; her management confirmed she passed peacefully at home surrounded by family and pets. The Topp Twins, Jools and Lynda Topp, built a decades-long career mixing country-folk music, character comedy and political activism that made them national cultural icons. Jools held the title of Dame and used her profile to champion LGBTQ+ rights and rural community causes. Her death removes a leading voice from New Zealand entertainment and leaves a lasting legacy of music, humor and advocacy to explore.

audioculturenz.bsky.social

@audioculturenz.bsky.social

We've just heard the terribly sad news that Dame Jools Topp passed away on May 23rd after a long battle with breast cancer; she and her twin sister Lynda had just celebrated their 68th birthdays. Farewell to one of Aotearoa's bravest Untouchable Girls. www.audioculture.co.nz/articles/the...

8016d ago

CindyBax

@cindybax.bsky.social

Oh no this is desperately sad. I feel especially for Dame Linda. We have lost a treasure, a taonga. #nzpol

5016d ago

Christine Ryan2

So sad. Dame Linda will miss her so much. No one is untouchable, especially when it comes to cancer.

Paul Brislen

@brislen.nz

www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainmen... The Twins have to be the most professional of all the entertainers I've ever worked with. Jools told me how to kill a chicken humanely. End of an absolute era. #Untouchable

4216d ago

NinjaKitty 忍者キティ🥷🐈‍⬛9

In 1984, I shared a lift ride with them. Just the three of us 💔

Milly 4

They’re both very kind and generous ppl. This is so sad

Baxtermack🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️3

They were such a revelation to muddle class, white me. #Untouchable

JMK2

Oh no! I first saw the Topp Twins at Nambassa in 1981, an amazing unforgettable experience. Jools will be sadly missed, not just for her music but also for being a wonderful person.

CEO Johnny Cans

@oldmatecans.bsky.social

RIP Jools Topp. A wonderful person and a staunch advocate on the right side of things for a very very long time.

4316d ago

Sheldon

@brokenstarfish.bsky.social

Dammit, it’s not fair. Poor Lynda. I can’t begin to imagine that level of devastation. The Topp Twins were two of a handful of LGBT+ people in popular culture, when I was growing up, with a genuine sense of fun and mischief that made a lie of the too common misery narratives around queerness.

3215d ago

Ms Hooper

@mshooper.bsky.social

All the feelings & memories today 💔😔 grew up with these legends, high jinks on the school bus, in class and at pony club - life is short - you really made the most of it - Arohanui Jools , Lynda & family

2515d ago

Tony from Welly

@tonywelly.bsky.social

Dame Jools Topp RIP you wonderful human being. I wish this world was full of people like Jools❤️

2415d ago

Kylie

@styla73.bsky.social

This is your sign to watch Untouchable Girls (the Topp Twins documentary.) I guarantee you will come out the other side a Topp Twins person, even if you're not a country music person. www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2oY...

1716d ago

LisaZed 👩🏻‍🎨 🌏 🐨🌳

@lisazed.bsky.social

RIP Linda Topp, half of the #NZ icons the Topp Twins, who’s passed away from cancer! #nzpol www.rnz.co.nz/life/people/...

1016d ago

Gary Chiles 🚲 🍄 ☕ 🦚 🐱 𝟜 𝟚𝟘

@testtubeone.bsky.social

"Jools Topp brought joy to generations of New Zealanders."💯 RIP Jools.

1116d ago

Jason Kemp

@dialogcrm.bsky.social

Obvious stars from early 80's & beyond. RIP Jools. "On both stage and screen, the Topps would interview people in character, with the ability to put audiences at ease - and have them rolling in the aisles. None of their characters were scripted."

1216d ago