‘A National Treasure’ — Australia Mourns The Loss Of Johnny Young And The Emotional Farewells Are Overwhelming
Aussie entertainment icon and Young Talent Time host Johnny Young has died at the age of 79 following a short health battle.
Aussie entertainment icon Johnny Young has died at the age of 79 following a short health battle.
A statement released by Young’s family on Friday morning revealed that the beloved industry figure passed away surrounded by family after “a brief battle with pancreatic cancer”.
They added: “Johnny leaves behind his wife Marisha, sister Cornelia, daughters Anna and Fleur, son Craig (dec.), seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.”
Aussie entertainment icon Johnny Young has died at the age of 79 following a short health battle. Picture: Mike Keating/News Corp Australia
Tragically, Young’s only son Craig also lost his life to pancreatic cancer in 2014 when he was just 48.
“The family respectfully asks for privacy during this difficult time,” the statement added.
“Details of a memorial service will be announced soon.”
Young rose to fame thanks to his time as host and producer of Young Talent Time, which catapulted many young hopefuls into show business, including the likes of Dannii Minogue and Tina Arena.
Johnny Young rose to fame thanks to his time as host and producer of Young Talent Time. Picture: Network Ten
He created the show with business partner Kevin Lewis and is said to have been inspired by the concept of the children’s TV series The Mickey Mouse Club.
“Young Talent Time was based on the feeling that I got from The Mickey Mouse Club. It had similarities… an elder brother and a group of kids singing and dancing, just very simple entertaining stuff,” the entertainer previously told TV Tonight.
“But I changed it to an hour, added the talent quest component and it became Young Talent Time.”
The show ran for 18 years between 1971 and 1988 with Young at the helm.
A statement released by Young’s family on Friday morning revealed that the beloved industry figure passed away surrounded by family after “a brief battle with pancreatic cancer”. Picture: Getty Images
Young was also a successful songwriter and producer, and was responsible for some of the most iconic Aussie hits on the radio, including Russell Morris’ The Real Thing and Smiley by Ronnie Burns.
Young was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands as Johnny Benjamin Arthur de Jong and immigrated with his family to Australia when he was a child.
He first came onto the music scene in the 1960s when he helmed the Perth pop group Johnny Young & Kompany.
He then made his foray onto the screen with TV pop music series The Go!! Show, went on to tour alongside iconic bands such as the Rolling Stones and launched Young Talent Time in 1971.
Young’s contributions to Aussie entertainment saw him inducted into the TV Week Logie Hall of Fame in 1990, as well as the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2010.
He is the first performer to be honoured in both institutions.