Aussie music legend Johnny Young dies aged 79

Australian pop icon and Young Talent Time host Johnny Young has died at 79, with Tina Arena and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese among those paying tribute.

In a statement released by his family, it was revealed that Young passed away following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Young launched Arena’s career on the Young Talent Time variety show when she first appeared in 1974 at just seven years old. Now 58, Arena took to Instagram to bid her dear friend farewell.

“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 began.

“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 Tina x.”

Dannii Minogue, who appeared on Young Talent Time from 1982 to 1988 also honoured Young’s life and career in her own social media post.

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“Johnny Young holds a place in so many hearts, and today my heart is broken,” Minogue said.

“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.”

Sister and pop legend Kylie Minogue wrote: “Embedded into all our hearts and memories. YTT 4 Ever and RIP Johnny Young. My condolences to his family and all the YTT fans.

“Such formative years for my sister and her team that became like family to her. I’m sending all my love for a group ‘Goodnight Australia’ for the one and only Johnny Young.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tributes to the legendary performer on X.

“Johnny Young gave Australia the gift of joy,” Albanese began.

“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 launchpad for an incredible new generation of entertainers.

“How lucky we were to have him. May he rest in peace.”

Young’s family released a statement confirming his passing.

“Johnny Young, born Johnny Benjamin De Jong,  has passed away following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer,” the statement read.

“Johnny was 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 Smily.

“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.”

Young launched the careers of many Aussie stars including Arena, Danni Minogue and Jamie Redfern on Young Talent Time, which he hosted from 1971 to 1988.

Young had three children – two daughters, Anna and Fleur, and a son called Craig – as well as nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In a cruel twist of fate, Young tragically lost his only son Craig Young to pancreatic cancer in 2014 when he was just 48.

Craig was Young’s child from his first marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Jane, who also sadly passed away from leukaemia in her 20s.

He shared two daughters, Anna and Fleur, from his second marriage which ended in 1995 after 20 years together.

He went on to marry for a third time to Polish-born wife Marisha, and the couple were together for over 20 years until he passed away.

“I am very happy to say everything has worked out in the end. I feel very lucky to have met her. I don’t take anything for granted and treasure every moment,” he said of his third marriage in an interview with Sunday Life in 2018.

Young was born Johnny Benjamin Arthur de Jong on March 12, 1947, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, before his family immigrated to Australia during his early childhood.

His career took off in the mid-1960s when he fronted the Perth pop group Johnny Young & Kompany. During this era, he gained national visibility hosting the TV pop music series The Go!! Show and toured alongside major acts like the Rolling Stones and Roy Orbison.

Young launched his career-defining television show Young Talent Time in 1971, which ran for almost two decades. The children’s variety show and talent competition was a staple in Aussie culture.

Young’s contributions to music and broadcasting saw him inducted into the TV Week Logie Hall of Fame in 1990 and later into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2010, making him the first entertainer to be honoured in both prestigious institutions.

“Most of us grew up with Johnny, and he was an incredible early pop star and pioneer and loved Aussie music,” David Campbell said on Today as the news broke.

“When he got on TV and said ‘all my love’ every weekend… it was a beautiful part of growing up in Australia – he loved Aussie talent as well – and an essential part of our culture. He’ll be very greatly missed.”