Cause and family confirmation
Australian music and television personality Johnny Young died at age 79 following a short battle with pancreatic cancer, his family confirmed in a statement released on Friday. Born Johnny Benjamin De Jong, Young was described by relatives as the creator, host and producer of the long-running television programme Young Talent Time and the writer and producer of hit songs including The Real Thing and Smiley. He is survived by his wife Marisha, sister Cornelia, daughters Anna and Fleur, his late son Craig, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family asked for privacy and said a memorial service would be announced later.
A career that spanned pop stardom, songwriting and television
Young first reached Australian audiences in 1966 when his group Johnny Young & Kompany took the double A-side Step Back and Cara-Lyn to the top of the Go-Set National Top 40. The single, written by Stevie Wright and George Young of The Easybeats, was followed by further chart success including a recording of The Beatles' All My Loving. Beyond performing, Young established himself as a songwriter whose catalogue included The Real Thing for Russell Morris, a 1969 number one co-produced with Ian Meldrum and engineered by John L. Sayers, as well as songs for Ronnie Burns, Ross D. Wyllie and boxer Lionel Rose.
Building Young Talent Time and launching future stars
In 1971 Young created Young Talent Time for Network Ten, hosting and producing the family variety show for its original 18-year run until it was cancelled in 1988 amid falling ratings. The programme became a launching pad for performers who would become Australian household names, among them Tina Arena, Dannii Minogue, Jamie Redfern and Debra Byrne, and was reinforced by Young's separate Johnny Young Talent School. A rebooted Young Talent Time was produced by Network Ten in 2012, with Young returning as executive producer and judge.
Recognition and remaining honours
Young's early television work on The Go!! Show earned him a 1967 Logie for Best Teenage Personality, and he continued to be recognised for his contribution to Australian popular music and broadcasting in the decades that followed, including induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame. His career moved fluidly between singing, songwriting, record production, radio presenting and television producing, and he remained active in the entertainment industry in his later years.
What comes next
The family has asked for privacy and said details of a memorial service will be announced in due course. Further tributes and reflections from Australian musicians and broadcasters are expected in the coming days.
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