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A Tribute to Sir Jimmy Young

In tribute to the late Sir Jimmy Young, another chance to hear him look back at his astonishing career with one-time sparring partner, Ken Bruce.

In tribute to the late Sir Jimmy Young, another chance to hear him look back at his astonishing career with one-time sparring partner, Ken Bruce.

Sir Jimmy Young talks to Ken Bruce about his singing years and radio decades, in an interview first broadcast on the day before his 90th birthday.

From baker's boy in Cinderford, Gloucestershire (at one time stopped by the police for driving underage), via the wartime Royal Air Force, and work as a pianist in night clubs and dance bands, Jim became a hugely successful singer and pop star in the 50s - the first British act to have two consecutive number ones.

Then Rock 'n' Roll burst upon the scene and Jim was looking for another career - he found it on radio. Starting with Housewives Choice and Radio Luxembourg, he was part of the launch team for Radio 1 and then moved across to Radio 2, inventing an "impossible" format of pop and politics.

For nearly 30 years he interviewed ministers, prime ministers, heads of state and royalty, to achieve many awards and firsts. With live programmes from around the world he set a standard which is unlikely to matched -during 53 years at various Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ microphones.

There were times when it was not so bright, an unhappy childhood and working at dismal variety theatres. And the time, when suffering from depression, he even had suicidal thoughts.

He shares a lifetime of memories with Ken Bruce, whilst also naming the most impressive person he ever interviewed and the record he would place in his hall of fame.

57 minutes

Last on

Wed 9 Nov 2016 23:00

Music Played

  • Jimmy Young

    The Man From Laramie

    • Fabulous Fifties , Disc 6 (1955).
    • READER'S DIGEST.
    • RDS-9436.
  • Jimmy Young

    Limelight. Eternally

    • The Best Of Jimmy Young.
    • SPECTRUM.
    • 5442012.
  • Jimmy Young

    More

    • The Best Of Jimmy Young.
    • SPECTRUM.
    • 5442012.
  • Jimmy Young

    Rich Man, Poor Man

    • The Best Of Jimmy Young.
    • SPECTRUM.
    • 5442012.
  • Jimmy Young

    Chain Gang

    • The Best Of Jimmy Young.
    • SPECTRUM.
    • 5442012.
  • Jimmy Young

    Miss You

    • This Is......
    • EMI.
    • THIS-20.
  • Jimmy Young

    The Man From Laramie

    • Fabulous Fifties , Disc 6 (1955).
    • READER'S DIGEST.
    • RDS-9436.
  • Glenn Miller Orchestra

    Little Brown Jug

    • The Benny Goodman/The Glenn Miller Story.
    • HOT RECORD SOCIETY.
    • HRS-111.
  • Shelton, Anne With Ambrose & His Orch

    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔward Bound

    • The Songs And Music That Helped To Win The War.
    • CONIFER.
    • CDHD-403.
  • Jo Stafford & Gordon MacRae

    'A' You're Adorable

    • Down Memory Lane.
    • MEMOIR.
    • CDMOIR-402.
  • Ray Martin and His Orchestra

    Blue Tango

    • Hits Of 1952.
    • MEMOIR.
    • CDMOIR-574.
  • Jimmy Young

    Too Young

    • Housewives Choice.
    • MUSIC & MEMORIES.
    • MMD-1014.
  • Perry Como

    Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes

    • Acuff Rose 50 Th Anniversary.
    • ACUFF ROSE.
    • AROMG CD-50 01 02 03.
  • Jimmy Young

    Unchained Melody

    • 50's Number 1's Ballads.
    • OLD GOLD.
    • OG-3501.
  • Charles Williams and His Concert Orchestra

    In Party Mood

    • Memories Of The Light Programme.
    • EMI.
    • 7243 8-27260 2 9.
  • Matt Monro

    From Russia With Love

    • The Ultimate Matt Monro.
    • EMI.
    • 7243-560939 2 8.
  • Ken Woodman

    Town Talk

    • The Ken Woodman Sound.
    • RPM.
    • 230.
  • Glen Campbell

    Southern Nights

    • That's Country.
    • EMI TV.
    • 7243-8 36433 2 5.
  • Cole, Nat King & Billy May Orchestra

    The Party's Over

    • Legends Of The 20 Th Century.
    • EMI.
    • 7243-522817 2 5.
  • Oscar Peterson

    Hymn to Freedom

    • Jazz On A Summers Day.
    • Castle.
    • CTVCD-108.
  • Nat King Cole

    The Party's Over

    • Nat King Cole - Ultimate Collection.
    • Chrysalis.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 20 Sep 2011 22:00
  • Wed 25 Jan 2012 22:00
  • Wed 9 Nov 2016 23:00