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All my Loving
With all this craziness going on in my humble side of the world, every day that passes and the longer these fires go on, brings more stories of horror and hardship and of course survival. But it also brings out a different meaning to me, that at times I have let myself forget. And that is the stories coming out about well known personalities. Those personalities who have had an impact on our lives are humans too, they don’t all live in glass house in the posh area of town, and they are just people like you and me. And could even live in my neighbourhood for all I know.
I guess this became a reality for me with the news of Brian Naylor’s death. I briefly mentioned him in my last post. And I know that Easy has also written something about him too. But today the full impact has really hit home. As there is and iconic personality missing and fear dead. His name is Johnny Young.
So who is Johnny Young, he is a man that has always has his foot in the music industry of Australia. After leaving school, he worked as a trainee disc jockey and started singing at local dances. For eighteen months he was lead vocalist with a group called The Nomads, which was later known as The Strangers. He first real break come in 1965 when he became a host on TV, presenting pop music of the time. Also at this time he released two singles Club 17/Hi Ho and Go Johnny Go.
In 1966 he formed a backing band called Johnny Young and Kompany. They toured with the Easybeats. While touring with them, the Easybeats gave him the right to a song ‘Step Back’ which was co-written by Stevie Wright and George Young. The single was released in May 1966. In October, his EP ‘Let It Be Me’ went to number-one. Another major hit was a slow cover version of The Beatles' ‘All My Loving’ for which he was later strongly identified with as it was used as the closing song for his long-running TV series Young Talent Time.
Young and Kompany in January 1967 released covers of the Everly Brothers' ‘When Will I Be Loved?’ ‘Kiss Me Now’ Soon after however, he disbanded Kompany to go solo and supported Roy Orbison, The Walker Brothers, The Mixtures and The Yardbirds at the Festival Hall, Melbourne on Australia Day, 1967. He hosted a short-lived television pop show ‘Too Much’ and then took over the host role of The Go!! Show. He also won a Logie (Aussies equivalent to the Golden Globes but smaller), for 'Best Teenage Performer' in 1967.
But besides all that he would be best known for a Television show, which he developed called ‘Young Talent Time’. It was a children's variety show, which help launch the careers of some wonderful talented people. Some who are well know and some who are only know too many Australia’s. There is Jamie Redfern who caught the eye of Liberace and soon after leaving the show, Liberace took him under his wing to build his talent and career. Then there is Debra Byrne who had a successful career as a singer and later on in her life has become iconic on the stage show scene performing in Cats, Les Miserables, Sunset Boulevard, Jerry's Girls and Hot Shoe Shuffle.
Then there are the ‘Minogue’ sisters, Danni and Kylie. Even though it was Danni who was a regular performer on the show, Kylie was often invited on the show as a guest. It was from these guest appearances on the show that Kylie began her Television career having roles in a few children soap shows, before getting her most known role on the show ‘Neighbors’.
And then there is Tina Arena. Who while on the show was known as ‘Tiny Tina” because of the age and size she was when she joined the show. We watch Tina grow up on the show with her being on it for more than 10 years.
Beside the television show, Johnny Young set up many dance and sings schools around the country know as the ‘Johnny Young Talent School. This in their own right was a stepping board for a few talented performers, helping them on to a successful career. One of those is Australian Idol runner up Anthony Callea.
Young Talent Time was cancelled off the airways after 18 years of running.
I remember as a child that this was the only show that I was allowed to watch on Saturday night. I would get dressed up and put on make up and do my hair and dance and sing with the show. I was my own star. Johnny Young and the Young Talent Time was my childhood.
So with the news that he is missing and possible dead just breaks my heart and really hits home that even though they are well know personalities to us, but to their families they are just normal people, who now worried and concerned about them.
Why I am telling you this story is every day I am hearing about missing friends, and even though I didn't personally know Johnny Young, I am friends with his step daughter and her family. And with this news my heart goes out to her family.
I have now 4 Couples that are missing
At my husbands work 4 of his work mates have lost everything.
And the list is just still growing.
I am sorry for all the doom and gloom,
but I guess I have to get it out of my system some how.
Posted by KP on 2009-02-09 03:46:44 | Rating: | Views: 77
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