Australian music and television icon Johnny Young has passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
His family released a statement today. “Johnny was the creator, host and producer of the much loved television show Young Talent Time. He wrote and produced many iconic hit songs including The Real Thing and Smily,” it reads.
“Johnny leaves behind his wife Marisha, sister Cornelia, daughters Anna and Fleur, son Craig (dec.), seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The family respectfully asks for privacy during this difficult time. Details of a memorial service will be announced soon.”
Young hosted the cult program “Young Talent Time” from 1971 to 1988. During that time, he helped launch the career of many stars, including Tina Arena and Danni Minogue.
Young had a rich family life, with three children, daughters Anna and Fleur, and son Craig, as well as nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family lost Craig, 48, to pancreatic cancer in 2014.
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Young, was born Johnny Benjamin Arthur de Jong on March 12, 1947, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. His family immigrated to Australia during his early childhood.
In the mid-1960s, he was the singer for Perth pop group Johnny Young & Kompany. In that time, he had a national audience as host of the TV pop music series “The Go!! Show” and toured alongside major acts like the Rolling Stones and Roy Orbison.
Young finally launched the iconic television show “Young Talent Time” in 1971. The whole nation watched it every week for almost two decades.
The musician was professionally recognised by being inducted into the TV Week Logie Hall of Fame in 1990, and the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2010.
David Campbell – a music icon himself – broke the sad news to many Australians this morning on Nine’s Today Extra. “Most of us grew up with Johnny, and he was an incredible early pop star and pioneer and loved Aussie music,” Campbell said.
“When he got on TV and said ‘all my love’ every weekend… it was a beautiful part of growing up in Australia – he loved Aussie talent as well – and an essential part of our culture. He’ll be very greatly missed.”
From Mediaweek