HE HELPED LAUNCH THEIR INCREDIBLE CAREERS..! – DANNII MINOGUE AND TINA ARENA REMEMBER YOUNG TALENT TIME LEGEND JOHNNY YOUNG IN TOUCHING TRIBUTES.
Australian entertainment legend Johnny Young dies at 79
Danni Minogue and Tina Arena pay tribute to Johnny Young who was behind the beloved Australian television series Young Talent Time where the global superstars found their fame.
Danni Minogue and Tina Arena have paid tribute to Australian entertainment legend Johnny Young who died at the age of 79 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The death of the beloved television and music industry figure was confirmed by his family on Friday morning.
The global stars found their fame on the Young Talent Time, which was created, hosted and produced by Johnny Young during the 1970s and 80s.
Tina Arena and inductee Johnny Young at the ARIA Hall of Fame night at the Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park, Sydney.
“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.
“RIP darling John.”
Danni Minogue said her heart was broken as she reflected about her start in the entertainment industry.
“Johnny Young holds a place in so many hearts, and today my heart is broken,” she said.
Dannii Minogue has paid tribute to former Young Talent Time host Johnny Young saying her heart was 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.’”
Fellow cast member Bevan Addinsall posted: “Rest in peace my dear friend.”
Johnny Young has died after a short illness with pancreatic cancer.
Young’s family earlier released a statement paying tribute to 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 Smiley,” the statement said.
“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.”
He was responsible for launching Young Talent Time in 1971 – featuring special guest Kylie and team member Dannii Minogue. Picture: Supplied
Tina Arena also got her big break on the hit TV show.
‘Force of nature’: Emotional tributes to Aussie music great
Loved ones and supporters penned tributes to the entertainment legend.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Mr 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,” he said.
“How lucky we were to have him. May he rest in peace.”
In an emotional tribute, Russell Morris – the voice behind The Real Thing – said Mr Young was a “force of nature”.
“Today – we lost a great friend, and an extremely talented man,” he wrote.
“He 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.”
Former colleagues described Mr Young as a “true gentleman of the industry”.
Tina Arena said Mr Young was like her second father.
Former Blind Date contestant and Young Talent Time team member Debbie Neat recalled spending five decades alongside Mr Young, referring to him as her “TV dad”.
“Very sad to just hear the news my TV dad has passed away,” she said.
“You have been in my life for 53 years … and I love that we have spoken on the phone and had the chance to meet up again only a few years ago when filming the (Young Talent Time) 50 years episode.
“Thinking of all my YTT family and John’s family Anna and Fleur. A very sad day for the entertainment industry.”
Aussie music icon Russell Morris shared an emotional tribuute to entertainment legend Johnny Young. Picture: Facebook
“I was on stage with the entire school singing that famous song with him. Such an emotional memory for me as I always wanted to be on Young Talent Time,” he said.
“May God bless this incredible entertainer and envelope his entire family with love.”
Young’s indelible mark left on Australian music industry
Mr Young was born in the Netherlands in 1947 before relocating with his family to Perth when he was a small child.
As a child, he would attend Saturday morning radio shows, where he would frequently perform songs.
A keen lover of music, he worked as a disc jockey and became the frontman of Johnny Young and the Strangers, who released two singles.
The TV star wrote some of the country’s biggest hits.
He was encouraged to pursue songwriting by then flatmate and fellow musician Barry Gibb.
It was during these discussion with the Bee Gees frontman that inspired Mr Young to pen some of the country’s most legendary hits, including The Real Thing.
The psychedelic six-minute record was sung by Russell Morris and produced by Molly Meldrum in 1969.
The single cost $10,000 to produce, the same amount to produce an entire album, making it the most expensive single in Australian history at the time.
Johnny Young was responsible for launching the career of Tina Arena.
The television program ran for nearly two decades.
‘Second dad’: Music legend responsible several Aussie music icons
Mr Young created Young Talent Time in 1971 – a show that was responsible for launching the careers of some of Australia’s biggest stars including Tina Arena and Dannii Minogue.
The program was wildly popular in the late 1970s and 80s, with many of the young stars become household names including Jamie Redfern, Karen Knowles and Debra – then Debbie – Byrne.
Pop star Kylie Minogue was also a special guest on the TV show, where she performed a rendition of Aretha Franklin and Eurythimcs’ Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves alongside her sister Dannii.
Once a performer turned 16, they left the show, with several going onto bigger careers.
The show aired more than 800 episodes over the span of nearly two decades, when it was axed in 1989 following a spate of poor rating, however it was brought back for a short three-year stint between 2009 and 2012.
The show was hosted by Rob Mills with Mr Young serving as an executive producer and judge.
Young Talent Time returned in 2009 for a three-year stint.
Johnny Young was responsible for Young Talent Time, which was on TVs across Australia for nearly two decades. .
In her recently released documentary, Unravel Me, Tina Arena credited Mr Young for giving her the big break in the entertainment industry.
She was discovered by Mr Young when she was eight years old, dubbing her “tiny Tina” and acting as her mentor.
“He was like my second dad,” she said in the documentary.
The Netherlands-born musician and entertainment star became a fixture of Australian TV.
He is remembered for his kindness and love of music.
He even suggested she change her name to Tina, as he didn’t think her birth name, Filippina Arena, would lead to success in the industry.
Mr Young was inducted to the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2010 for his contribution to Australian music.
“I have always felt like the luckiest kid on the block to be able to continue working in the music industry for 50 years in so many areas when basically I am just a rock and roller,” he said at the time.
“To receive this honour is the cherry on an amazing cake. I am very grateful to all those who supported and encouraged me.”
More to come
