Product Description

The full story for the first time of the private man, behind one of britains best loved public figures.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #627329 in Books
• Published on: 1988-03-04
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Review
Judging by the amount of publicity JY's departure from Radio 2 received - not to mention his programme's 5.5 million listeners - there is a huge, ready-made audience for this autobiography of one of the nation's light entertainment institutions. Whatever one's personal views of the broadcaster, Young's story is an extraordinary one. It is easy to forget that he had three number one hits before reinventing himself as a radio show host and could easily have become the next Perry Como or Andy Williams. Yet just a few years later, his was the first BBC radio show to broadcast from Moscow during the Cold War. Naturally, the title is subject to a serialisation embargo - but expect some juicy stories about the many Prime Ministers who have sat opposite him in the studio.

About the Author
Born in Gloucestershire, Jimmy Young spent 7 years in the RAF before turning to broadcasting in 1949. In the 1950s he was also a successful pop singer, and had many hit records including 3 No. 1s - 'Too Young', 'Unchained Melody' and 'The Man From Laramie'. Jimmy presented many BBC Radio programmes before joining Radio 1 in October 1967. The following year the Variety Club of Great Britain named him Radio Personality of the Year. In 1973 he joined Radio 2 to present his daily afternoon programme, affectionately known to its millions of listeners as 'the JY Prog'. In January 2002 Jimmy was knighted in the New Year Honours list. At the end of 2002 he announced his departure from Radio 2.

Customer Reviews

Jimmy young biography
I was a little disappointed by this book. There were some interesting stories and some memories were rekindled of listening to his show on Radio 2 but I was always hoping for something exciting as I turned the page and it failed to materialise. By two thirds of the way through the book I had started to lose interest and to be honest struggled to last through the end. Jimmy Young comes across as a really nice man but what comes through in the stories he tells is his public rather than his private personal. I respect the wish to keep his personal life private but it is doesn't make for a scintillating read.