Johnny Young, Who Launched a Generation of Australian Stars, Dies at 79
Synopsis
Johnny Young, the beloved host and creator of Young Talent Time, has died aged 79, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Australian music and television.
Key Highlights
- Australian cultural icon Johnny Young passed away at the age of 79.
- Young passed away after a short fight with pancreatic cancer.
- Young Talent Time, host and producer (1971 to 1988).
- He was the one who kickstarted the careers of both Tina Arena and Dannii Minogue.
Johnny Young, Australian pop icon and former host of Young Talent Time, 79, dies following a short illness with pancreatic cancer.
Young’s family announced his passing in a statement, stating Young created, hosted and produced Young Talent Time, contributing the memorable songs The Real Thing and Smily.
Young leaves behind his wife Marisha, sister Cornelia, daughters Anna and Fleur, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His son Craig fell victim to pancreatic cancer in 2014, when he was just 48.
Young Talent Time Legacy
Young was the presenter of Young Talent Time from 1971 to 1988, turning out many Australian performers such as Tina Arena and Dannii Minogue.
For the entire 1970s and into the early 1980s, this children’s variety show/talent show would become a fixture of Australian TV & culture.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Young as someone who walked “in two worlds”, a singer and cultural figure, with his first hit 45 years ago lending his name to a new generation of Australian entertainers.
Music and Television Career
Born Johnny Benjamin Arthur de Jong on 12 March 1947 – 12 November 2020 was a Dutch musician. He came to Australia with his family as a young child.
His music career took off in the mid-1960s as frontman of Perth pop group Johnny Young & Kompany. He later hosted The Go!! Performed for and toured with acts such as the Rolling Stones and Roy Orbison. Starting in 1971, Young Talent Time ran for nearly two decades.
Young was the recipient of a TV Week Logie Hall of Fame award (1990) and an ARIA Hall of Fame induction in 2010, making her the very first entertainer to receive both awards.
Source: Nine News
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