Tributes have flowed for beloved Aussie entertainer and Young Talent Time host Johnny Young, after his cancer death at age 79.
Singers whose careers Young launched were among those to pay their respects, including pop star Tina Arena who said her “darling John” 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,” she said.
Arena has previously said Young was like her second dad.
Dannii Minogue, another former YTT star, said her heart was broken by Young’s passing.
“He has so many achievements from his music and TV career, pop writing and releases, and family entertainment on our televisions,” she said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the first to remember the singer-songwriter, saying Young “gave Australia the gift of joy”.
“A wonderful singer in his own right, he established himself in our homes and our hearts as the genial and generous host of Young Talent Time, the launch pad for an incredible new generation of entertainers. How lucky we were to have him. May he rest in peace,” Mr Albanese said.
Best known as the creator, host and producer of the popular YTT, Young was also a talented singer-songwriter in his own right, penning and producing hit songs including The Real Thing and Smily.
It was his former flatmate Bee Gees legend Barry Gibb who encouraged him to pursue songwriting.
However, it was his closing song on YTT, covering the Beatles classic All My Loving, that he was perhaps best remembered for.
A statement from Young’s family on Friday announced his death.
“Johnny Young, born Johnny Benjamin De Jong, has passed away following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer,” it said.
Young leaves behind his wife Marisha, sister Cornelia, daughters Anna and Fleur, late son Craig and seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
A staple on the small screen, many Australians grew up watching his YTT.
Born in Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1947, Young later moved to Australia and based himself in Victoria.
Young Talent Time was filmed at Channel 10’s Nunawading TV studios after it first premiered in 1971.
Over its 18 years, the show screened more than 800 episodes and was regular Saturday night viewing for families around the country.
Running until 1988, the variety show became a staple in many Australian households with its enduring mix of music, dance, fun and friendship.
The program was wildly popular in the late 1970s and 80s, with many of the young stars becoming household names including Jamie Redfern, Karen Knowles and Debra – then Debbie – Byrne. Kylie Minogue was also a special guest on the show.
In one of his last interviews before his death, Young appears on Tina Arena’s documentary Unravel Me which had its premiere this week.
In the doco the Australian singing sensation credits Young as the force behind her successful career, shaping her work ethic and protecting her in the at times brutal entertainment industry.
Young discovered and mentored “tiny Tina” when she was just an eight-year-old child prodigy born Fillippina Arena.
In the doco, Young laughs that he didn’t think her name was very showbiz-like, suggesting she change it to Tina.
In 2010, Arena flew from Paris to Sydney to induct Young into the ARIA Hall of Fame, delivering an emotional speech and performing his song Here Comes the Star.
The pair again reunited publicly alongside Dannii Minogue for the Young Talent Time Unmasked special, celebrating the show’s legacy for it’s 50th anniversary in 2021.
In her emotional statement after Young’s death Arena said his legacy would be upheld “because you deserve that, and much more. RIP darling John, Tina X”.
Minogue also credited Young for her career.
“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,” she said. “His show brought 17 years of colour, choreography, sequins, music and smiles to our Saturday nights.”
Fellow cast member Bevan Addinsall said: “Rest in peace my dear friend,” while YTT team member Debbie Neat recalled spending five decades alongside Mr Young.
“Very sad to just hear the news my TV dad has passed away,” she said.
Australian singer-songwriter Russell Morris said Young “was a success at everything he set his mind to – a force of nature”.
“He and I spent many years working together, and socialising; many laughs, and achievements – it was a great ride. He will be remembered as a great talent, and a great person,” Morris said.
Singer Karen Knowles, who was a member of the YTT team from 1975 to 1980, said she was “frozen” when she heard about Young’s death.
“A very, very sad day for all of us who owed so much to John for our start. He was a real icon of the industry,” she said.
Singer-songwriter Normie Rowe said: “I realised I could never do what John did. We did things with our own set of skills. John could talk underwater with a mouthful of marbles.”