Young Talent Team: rare footage, 1972

Rare footage shows six members of the original Young Talent Time team singing a medley of songs, starting with an up-tempo version of the show’s signature tune ‘All My Loving’.  

It’s easy to see why Australia fell in love with these talented young people and their successors. Young Talent Time, with its winning mix of music, dance, fun and family atmosphere, went on to enjoy a staggering 18-year run from 1971 to 1988. 

The Beatles’ song ‘All My Loving’ plays an integral role in Young Talent Time with every episode since the very first one in April 1971 closing with a rendition by host Johnny Young and the cast. 

Young released his slower version of the Paul McCartney song in 1967 and it became his signature tune, making it a natural choice for the Young Talent Time theme. 

Rod Kirkham (1971–73) sings ‘Everything Is Beautiful’ which was written, composed, and originally performed by Ray Stevens.  

Vikki Broughton (1971–73) sings the Simon & Garfunkel classic ‘Bridge over Troubled Water’.

Philip Gould (1971–76) sings ‘Hooked on a Feeling’, a 1968 pop song written by Mark James. Originally performed by BJ Thomas, a later cover by Blue Swede reached No. 1 in the US charts in 1974. 

Rod Kirkham and Debbie (now known as Debra) Byrne (1971–75) sing ‘Jackson’, written by Billy Edd Wheeler and Jerry Leiber. The song is best known through two contrasting 1967 cover versions: a pop rendition by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood, and a country version by Johnny Cash and June Carter. 

Debbie sings ‘I Don't Know How to Love Him’ from the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Debbie won the Logie award for best teenage personality in 1974 and 75. 

Greg Mills (1971–75), who went on to work on the show as musical director, and Julie Ryles (1971–75) round out the team but don’t have any solo songs. 

Jane Scali and Jamie Redfern, who were also original team members, are not in the footage.

Variety show Young Talent Time was popular viewing for Australian kids and families in the 1970s and 80s. It ran from 1971 to 1988 and was hosted by musician Johnny Young and a changing team of young performers. 

This clip comes from Don’t Mourn Buzzy, a tribute concert held at Sydney’s State Theatre for comedian Buster Fiddess, who died in January 1972. The concert, hosted by Tony Barber, features Kamahl, Johnny Farnham and others.

Notes by Beth Taylor