Johnny Young has died aged 79 following a brief illness.
Young found fame as a pop star in the 1960s before launching the family favourite television show Young Talent Time in the 1970s. He later enjoyed a long and successful career in radio. Young Talent Time launched the careers of Debra Byrne, Tina Arena, Dannii Minogue and many other talented performers.
Born in the Netherlands, Young arrived in Perth with his family when he was just one year old. He first found success in 1966 with songs including Step Back and Cara-Lyn. At the same time, he hosted the popular television program The Go Show, which celebrated pop music.
Young also penned hits for other artists, including the iconic track The Real Thing, recorded by Russell Morris. The Girl That I Love was another successful song he wrote for Morris. He also wrote Smilie for Ronnie Burns and The Star for Ross D. Wyllie.
From 1971, Young produced and presented Young Talent Time, a weekly variety show featuring a troupe of talented young performers singing and dancing to contemporary hits and classic songs.
When performers reached the age of 16, they were required to graduate from the show, resulting in many cast changes throughout the show’s run. Tina Arena, Dannii Minogue, Debra Byrne, Jane Scali, Karen Knowles and Jamie Redfern were among the artists who got their start on the program.
Each week, the show ended with a chorus of The Beatles’ song All My Loving and one of the young performers calling out, “Goodnight Australia!”
Johnny Young spoke to OUTinPerth in 2016 while touring the country with Go Show Gold, a retrospective celebration of Australian music from the 1960s featuring many performers who had appeared on the weekly television program.
Tina Arena paid tribute to Young is a social media post, saying he left behind a beautiful legacy.
“I’m struggling to find the words today to express the profound loss of a man who allowed, and equally encouraged, me to find my voice!” Arena said. “Just know that you leave behind a beautiful legacy that we will continue to uphold because you deserve that, and much more.”
Dannii Minogie said she was heartbroken to hear the news of Young’s passing.
“Johnny Young holds a place in so many hearts, and today my heart is broken.
“He has so many achievements from his music and TV career, pop writing and releases, and family entertainment on our televisions. For me, this is where my career started, and generations of Aussies hold Young Talent Time and the song “All My Loving” so fondly in their memories. His show brought 17 years of colour, choreography, sequins, music and smiles to our Saturday nights.
My heart goes out to his family and to his YTT family. From cast, crew and every Johnny Young Talent School member, this is a very sad ‘Goodnight Australia’” Minoguie said.
