John Paul Young

Template:Short description Template:Use Australian English Template:Use dmy dates Template:For Template:Infobox musical artist John Inglis Young, OAM (born 21 June 1950), known professionally as John Paul Young, is an Australian pop singer who is best known for having a worldwide hit with "Love Is in the Air" in 1978.<ref name="McF">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref><ref name="Milesago">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His career was boosted by regular appearances as a performer and guest host on Countdown, a 1974–1987 TV series for Australia's national broadcaster ABC.<ref name="McF"/> Besides "Love Is in the Air", Young had top ten chart success in Germany and the Netherlands with "Standing in the Rain" and four other top ten hits in South Africa,<ref name="McF"/> including No. 1 hits with "I Hate the Music" in 1976 and "Yesterday's Hero" in 1975.<ref name="RSACharts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 27 August 2009, Young was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame.<ref name="ARIAHoF">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Cashmere">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Collins">Template:Cite news</ref>

CareerEdit

1950–1974: Early life and early careerEdit

Young was born John Inglis Young in Bridgeton, Glasgow, Scotland to James and Agnes (nee Inglis) Young. Together with his parents, two sisters and a brother, Young emigrated to Australia on board the Template:SS,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref> arriving in Sydney on Australia Day (26 January) 1962 when he was aged 11.<ref name="Drum">Template:Cite news</ref> His family lived at East Hills Hostel before moving to Liverpool. He attended school at Hammondville Public School, Liverpool Boys High School and Westfields Sports High School.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After finishing school, he started an apprenticeship as a sheet metal worker.<ref name="McF"/> Initially performing as John Young, his first involvement in music began in late 1967 when he formed a band, Elm Tree, with schoolmates.<ref name="McF"/>

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The other members included Robert (Slim) Barnett on bass guitar, Ollie Chojnacki on guitar, Philip Edwards (drums 1968–1971, 1972–1976), Andy Imlah on co-lead vocals, Dave Kaentek, Ron Mazurkiewicz on keyboards and Geoff Watts on drums.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="ARDb">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Elm Tree gained a moderate following around Sydney, and after being spotted by producer Martin Erdman, they cut one single for his Du Monde label, a cover of UK band Marmalade's "Rainbow", which was released through Festival in November 1970, but did not enter the top 50 Australian singles charts.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Kent">Template:Cite book NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988.</ref> In mid-1971 they entered the New South Wales heats of Hoadley's Battle of the Sounds and got as far as the Sydney finals, but they didn't make it through to the national final, and so never managed to break out of the Sydney suburban dance circuit.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Milesago"/>

At this point, Young's manager Dal Myles got him a role in the Melbourne production of The Jesus Christ Revolution. The show opened and closed in six weeks.<ref name=RS /> However, due to being seen in this production, Young received a telegram from Jim Sharman who wanted him to audition as Annas for Harry M. Miller's original Australian production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar.<ref name="RS" /><ref name="Jesus">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The show premiered in Sydney on 4 May 1972, and, as well as established theatrical performers, the cast featured leading pop-rock artists: Trevor White, Robin Ramsay, Jon English, Doug Parkinson, Stevie Wright (ex-The Easybeats), Marcia Hines and Reg Livermore.<ref name="Jesus"/> Young remained with the production until it closed in February 1974; the production broke theatrical attendance records in its two-year season, and whilst it provided him with a public profile, it left him at a loose end when it concluded.<ref name="Jesus"/>

For Young, a major break occurred at an Elm Tree performance when visiting producer and manager, Simon Napier-Bell, heard them in a pub in Newcastle in 1971.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Milesago"/> He persuaded Young to sign as a solo artist to Albert Productions—the company that had produced Australia's top 1960s group The Easybeats.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Milesago"/> Napier-Bell then produced Young's first hit single, "Pasadena", at Armstrong Studios in Melbourne; it was co-written by George Young (also Scottish-born, but no relation) and Harry Vanda of The Easybeats, together with British actor David Hemmings who was a partner in Napier-Bell's label, SNB Records.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="APRA Pasadena">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Vanda & Young also produced AC/DC and other Albert Productions artists.<ref name='ARDbVY'>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> All he had to do was sing over the demo tape Vanda/Young had sent from London.<ref name=RS>Rolling Stone magazine, 4 November 1976: "John Paul Young – Today's Reluctant Hero" by Ken Quinnel, pp: 45–6</ref> The single was released under the name, John Young, later releases used "John Paul Young" (Paul was his Catholic confirmation name)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> to avoid confusion with Johnny Young (no relation), the 1960s pop star and Young Talent Time (1971–1988 TV show) presenter.<ref name="Drum"/> He performed the song on Happening 70 on Channel Ten.<ref name=glad>Wilmoth, Peter – Glad All Over – The Countdown Years 1974–1987, p 66-9 McPhee Gribble/Penguin Books 1993. Template:ISBN</ref> "Pasadena" peaked at No. 16 in the Australian Singles charts in early 1972.<ref name="Kent"/> It was followed by "You Drive Me Crazy" which was released in February 1973 but failed to chart.<ref name="Milesago"/><ref name="Kent"/>

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Young renewed his association with Albert Productions, signing with them as a solo artist. Vanda & Young had returned to Australia from UK in 1973. After his stint in Superstar, they took over as his producers and resumed writing songs for him.<ref name="McF"/> Young's third single "It's Only Love"<ref name="APRA OnlyLove">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> was released in March 1974, but failed to chart in the top 50.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Milesago"/><ref name="Kent"/> The B side was a track called "Bad Trip". Young said "no one liked it. It was a disappointment. It was about suicide but they must've thought it was about drugs because of the title. It wasn't banned or anything, they just didn't play it."<ref name="RS" /> Young considered a part in the musical Godspell but decided against it, preferring to go back to sheet metal work. He left the job after a day and a half due to being hassled by the boss.<ref name="RS"/>

1975–1977: Australian chart successEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In February 1975, Young released "Yesterday's Hero", a song about the fleeting nature of pop stardom which drew on Vanda & Young's own experiences as former teen idols.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Milesago"/><ref name="APRA Yesterdays">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The single shot into the national charts in April and gave Young his first top ten hit,<ref name="Kent"/> reaching No. 8 on the Australian singles chart.<ref name="Kent"/> The single sold strongly in the United States, where it reached No. 44 on the Cash Box Top 100 in February 1976.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> One of the key factors in the Australian success of "Yesterday's Hero" was the film clip made to promote it, which enabled the song to be given heavy exposure on Countdown, which had just switched to its new one-hour Sunday evening format, following the official start of colour TV broadcasting on 1 March 1975.<ref name="Milesago"/><ref name="Jeff">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Dave">Template:Cite book</ref> Young's debut performance on Countdown had him miming "Yesterday's Hero" while dressed in a sailor's suit surrounded on an island stage with a studio audience of screaming teen girls.<ref name="Long">Template:Cite book</ref> He was dragged off the stage three times by audience members and the microphone cord was ripped out but the song continued uninterrupted.<ref name="Long"/> ABC TV producer, Michael Shrimpton believes his show, Countdown, played a big part in making "Yesterday's Hero" and Young a teen pop success.<ref name="Jeff"/>

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By mid-1975, CountdownTemplate:'s talent co-ordinator, Ian "Molly" Meldrum, had started appearing on-screen with a weekly rock report.<ref name="Jeff"/> Young, as guest host, introduced Meldrum's second report, "Here's boring old Molly with boring old humdrum".<ref name="Dave"/>—"Molly" Meldrum's Humdrum and Countdown continued until 1987, with Young often featured as a performer or guest host named "Squeak" or "JPY" by Meldrum.<ref name="Jeff"/><ref name="Dave"/> For touring purposes Young fronted John Paul Young and The All Stars, with members who had worked with Vanda and Young's former bandmate Stevie Wright.<ref name="McF"/> The All Stars included, Warren Morgan (ex-Chain, Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs) on piano and vocals,<ref name="ARDb"/> who co-wrote songs with Young.<ref name="McF"/> Other early members were, Kevin Borich (La De Da's) on guitar, Johnny Dick (Max Merritt & the Meteors, Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs) on drums, Ronnie Peel (aka "Rockwell T James", Missing Links, La De Da's) on bass guitar and Ian Winter (Carson, Daddy Cool) on guitar.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="ARDb"/> Billy Thorpe reportedly said they were the best rock band in Australia.<ref name="RS" />

Throughout 1975, Young toured with Stevie Wright, Sherbet and Stylus, with the latter also being his backing band.<ref name="RS" /> Young headlined his first concert tour over the Christmas period of 1975–6, preferring to use local bands as their support acts.<ref name="RS" />

Young's debut studio album, Hero was released in October 1975 and peaked at No. 9 on the Australian Album charts.<ref name="Kent"/> A string of top 10 hits, written and produced by Vanda & Young, followed in Australia including "The Love Game"<ref name="APRA LoveGame">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (peaked at No. 4 in September 1975), "I Hate the Music"<ref name="APRA HateMusic">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (No. 2, April 1976) and "I Wanna Do It with You"<ref name="APRA WannaYou">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (No. 7, May 1977).<ref name="Kent"/> Young's second studio album, J.P.Y. was released in August 1976 and also peaked at No. 9.<ref name="Kent"/> In addition to his Australian success, Young achieved top 20 hit singles in Sweden, with "Yesterday's Hero" and "I Hate the Music",<ref name="SWECharts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and in South Africa where "I Hate the Music" and "Yesterday's Hero" were No. 1 hits, and "Keep on Smilin'" and "I Wanna Do It with You" were top ten hits.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="RSACharts"/> In May 1977, Young released his third studio album, Green, which peaked at No. 19.<ref name="Kent"/>

In a 1976 Rolling Stone interview, Young gives an insight into working with the Vanda/Young team:

After I recorded Pasadena our relationship just developed. They play me their songs and say: "See what you think of this." Usually I like it, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I pick out something they've written and say "I want to do this", like I did with Things to do. (For the JPY album), we worked out some of the songs on the road. Others are worked out in the studio and some, like Standing in the Rain are produced by the studio system. Harry and George work it out and I come in later to do the vocal.<ref name="RS" />

In November 1977, Young's first 'best of' compilation was released, titled All the Best. It was preceded by the single "Where the Action Is" and both single and album peaked within the Australian top 40.

1978–1980: International success and "Love is In the Air"Edit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Late in 1977, the European markets began playing "Standing in the Rain", the B-Side for the song "Keep on Smilin'". The song became a top 10 hit in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.<ref name="AUTCharts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} NOTE: Some information in Austrian.</ref><ref name="NLDCharts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} NOTE: Some information in Dutch.</ref><ref name="GERCharts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} NOTE: Some information is in German.</ref> selling over 400,000 copies.

Young's next single, "Love Is in the Air", became a worldwide hit during 1978,<ref name="McF"/> peaking at No. 3 on the Australian charts in May,<ref name="Kent"/> No. 7 in the US Billboard Hot 100,<ref name="BillS">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and No. 5 in the UK singles chart.<ref name="UKCharts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The associated album, Love Is in the Air was released in October and reached the top 40 on the Australian albums chart.<ref name="Kent"/> Subsequent singles, "The Day That My Heart Caught Fire" which peaked in the top 20,<ref name="Kent"/> and "Heaven Sent" continued the disco style. Young was crowned 'King of Pop' in October 1978.<ref name="Top40">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="GNT">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Love Is in the Air" also won 'Most Popular Australian Single' and Vanda & Young won both 'Best Australian Record Producer' and 'Best Australian Songwriter' at the same awards.<ref name="Jeff"/><ref name="Top40"/><ref name="Top40TV"/><ref name="GNT"/>

Young's fifth studio album, Heaven Sent was released in November 1979 and peaked at number 95. By mid-1980 Young had left Albert Productions and ended his association with Vanda & Young.<ref name="McF"/>

1981–1990: Career decline and Classic HitsEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Young used session musicians for his 1960s' covers album, The Singer released in August 1981 but failed to reach the top 50.<ref name="McF"/><ref name="Kent"/> Young turned to a more contemporary electropop sound and adult oriented style.<ref name="McF"/> He signed to the Australian branch of German label I.C. Records in 1983 and flew to Germany with producer, composer and keyboard player John Capek (ex-Carson) to start recording a new album, with sessions at studios in Hanover, Munich, Los Angeles, Melbourne and Sydney.<ref name="McF"/> Most of the material was co-written by Capek and Canadian Marc Jordan. The resulting album, One Foot in Front was released in March 1984. The lead single, "Soldier of Fortune", peaked at No. 17 on the national singles chart,<ref name="Kent"/> other singles "War Games", "L.A. Sunset" and "Call the Night" (1984) all failed to chart into the top 50,<ref name="Kent"/> "Soldier of Fortune" gained further prominence when it was picked as the theme song for the 1984 Summer Paralympics held in New York City, and also went on to be a hit in Germany.

On 25 January 1988 Young performed in the 'Royal Command, New South Wales Bicentennial Concert' in front of the Prince and Princess of Wales at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Televised across Australia, the event was viewed by over 10 million people and prompted an invitation to appear at World Expo 88 in Brisbane.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In late 1988, Young and his family moved to Lake Macquarie near Newcastle. Newcastle's first FM radio station, New FM, was preparing to open in 1989<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Young was asked to head their All-Australian programme, Oz Made Mondays. The programme was successful with Young moving through the ranks of the station to Morning Announcer garnering four No. 1 rating spots for his Breakfast and Drive Time programmes along the way.<ref name="Teamworks">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A compilation album titled Classic Hits was released in 1988, including the new single "Don't Sing That Song", but failed to chart.

1991–2003: Career revival, theatre, Olympic Games and Australian citizenEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In 1992, an Australian comedy film titled Strictly Ballroom was released. The film and associated soundtrack featured new versions of "Love Is in the Air" and "Standing in the Rain", both of which were released as singles. "Love Is in the Air" peaked at No. 3 on the Australian Singles Charts<ref name="AusCharts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and was a top 50 hit in the UK.<ref name="UKCharts"/> In 1994 Young left 105.3 NEWFM in Newcastle and joined 2CH in Sydney, which only lasted six months.

On 4 November 1994, Young became a naturalised Australian citizen and received his papers from then Prime Minister, Paul Keating.<ref name="Teamworks"/>

In 1996, Young released his eighth studio album and first since 1984. Titled Now, it is a covers album and includes a re-recording of "Love Is in the Air". In 1997, Young made two trips to Germany following invitations to perform on a host of national and European television specials and to promote Now. Young returned to Germany in 1998 with The Allstar band for a month-long tour On returning to Australia Young joined the stage production of Leader of the Pack playing the role of Gus Sharkey (aka Phil Spector).<ref name="Milesago"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="LotP">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2000, he played to his largest audience as a featured performer at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics. Young was recorded on DVD for three songs at the Gimme Ted benefit concert held on 9 March 2001.<ref name="Holmgren GT">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> From 8 August 2001, ABC-TV broadcast a six-part documentary, Long Way to the Top which chronicled 50 years of rock 'n' roll in Australia, Young featured in "Episode 4: Berserk warriors 1973–1981".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For the associated Long Way to the Top Tour in August–September 2002, Young re-formed the All-Star Band with Juan Gonzales on guitar, Warren Morgan on piano, Ronnie Peel on bass guitar, Greg Plimmer on drums and Michael Walker on synthesiser.<ref name="autogenerated1">Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> From 12 October 2003, ABC broadcast, Love Is in the Air, a five-part documentary on Australian pop music with "Episode 3: Strange Fruit" describing Countdown and how Young was made into a pop star.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2004–present: Popstars Live, In Too Deep and ARIA Hall of FameEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In 2004, Young became mentor for contestants on the music talent show, Popstars Live, which was broadcast on Seven Network from February 2004.<ref name="Popstars">Template:Cite news</ref> Young left the show in April, a spokesperson for the producers of Popstars Live denied that he had been sacked.<ref name="Popstars"/> In 2005 Young reprised his role as Gus Sharkey in the musical, 'Leader of the Pack'.<ref name="LotP"/>

In 2006, Young returned to the studio with Harry Vanda and released In Too Deep in September. Young appeared on the Countdown Spectacular concert series in Australia during June–August in 2006 and on the Countdown Spectacular 2 during August–September 2007. Young co-hosted the 2007 event with Ian Meldrum. In 2008, Young worked on a musical comedy titled Van Park, which focuses on "a group of fellow music lovers have gathered to live out their remaining years" in a caravan park. Young plays Akbar, one of the co-owners of the park.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Template:Dead link</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 27 August 2009, Young was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame alongside Kev Carmody, The Dingoes, Little Pattie and Mental As Anything.<ref name="ARIAHoF"/><ref name="Cashmere"/><ref name="Collins"/> Upon the announcement Young said, "It's an honour to be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, now point me to the lounge room, I wonder who's in there."<ref name="ARIAHoF"/> At the ceremony, Meldrum inducted Young who then performed, "I Hate the Music", "Yesterday's Hero" and "Love is in the Air".<ref name="Adams">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sony Music Australia released the compilation I Hate the Music.

In 2012, Young was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the performing arts as a singer and songwriter, and through support for a range of charitable organisations. In a statement, John Paul Young said, "I give my time when I can to assist many charities and not-for-profit organisations, but this is a small contribution compared to the enormous amount of unpaid work volunteers undertake for the good of their communities and society in Australia."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2015, Young appeared on the fifteenth season of Dancing with the Stars.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was the first contestant eliminated.

Late in 2015, Young toured a show across Australia based on a complete set of Vanda and Young material.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2016, Young joined Jon Stevens, Kate Ceberano and Daryl Braithwaite for the APIA Good Times tour.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2019, Young released his autobiography JPY (Template:ISBN).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2022, he released his first new song in 15 years, "Felt Like Love",<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and performed nationally on his anniversary tour 50 Years Young.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Young was forced to cancel much of the tour due to ongoing health issues.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Sporting associationsEdit

During the 1980s, Young's 1978 hit "Love is in the Air" was adopted by fans of Scottish Premier League football team Dundee United as an unofficial club anthem. Played since then at many home matches, it was sung in its entirety by an estimated 28,000 fans before and after the 2010 Scottish Cup Final held on 15 May at Hampden Park in Glasgow.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Community workEdit

For many years, Young has supported children's charities. He participates in the NSW Variety Bash<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> as a participant in one of the old cars and also to entertain along the way. He also supports the children's emergency transport service NETS<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> through its 4WD4Kids fundraiser. Young is also an avid environmentalist, supporting Landcare projects in his local community.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

DiscographyEdit

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Studio albumsEdit

Hero (1975)
J.P.Y. (1976)
Green (1977)
Love Is in the Air (1978)
Heaven Sent (1979)
The Singer (1981)
One Foot in Front (1983)
Now (1996)
In Too Deep (2006)

Awards and nominationsEdit

ARIA Music AwardsEdit

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987. Young was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="ARIAHoF"/><ref name="ARIA2009">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>