[1][2] 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.

[1] Initially performing as John Young, his first involvement in music began in late 1967 when he formed a band, Elm Tree, with schoolmates.

I immediately poo-pooed the whole thing because I'd just started my apprenticeship in sheet metalwork and after paying off a car, no way was I going to be paying off equipment or anything like that so they said, 'You can be the singer because you're always singing and you don't need any equipment' – and I fell for it.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.

[1][2] At this point, Young's manager Dal Myles got him a role in the Melbourne production of The Jesus Christ Revolution.

[12][13] 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.

[13] 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.

[1][2] He persuaded Young to sign as a solo artist to Albert Productions—the company that had produced Australia's top 1960s group The Easybeats.

It faded away and the ... Superstar – two and a half years of absolute gold – finished.Young renewed his association with Albert Productions, signing with them as a solo artist.

[20] 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.

[2][21][22] 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.

[23] ABC TV producer, Michael Shrimpton believes his show, Countdown, played a big part in making "Yesterday's Hero" and Young a teen pop success.

Could we actually take someone who was basically unknown and in a matter of two months turn him into a number one hit?By mid-1975, Countdown's talent co-ordinator, Ian "Molly" Meldrum, had started appearing on-screen with a weekly rock report.

[1] The All Stars included, Warren Morgan (ex-Chain, Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs) on piano and vocals,[10] who co-wrote songs with Young.

[12] Young headlined his first concert tour over the Christmas period of 1975–6, preferring to use local bands as their support acts.

[11] A string of top 10 hits, written and produced by Vanda & Young, followed in Australia including "The Love Game"[25] (peaked at No.

[11] 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.

[11] Subsequent singles, "The Day That My Heart Caught Fire" which peaked in the top 20,[11] and "Heaven Sent" continued the disco style.

[1] Young used session musicians for his 1960s' covers album, The Singer released in August 1981 but failed to reach the top 50.

[38] Televised across Australia, the event was viewed by over 10 million people and prompted an invitation to appear at World Expo 88 in Brisbane.

[41] A compilation album titled Classic Hits was released in 1988, including the new single "Don't Sing That Song", but failed to chart.

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.

[45] 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".

[50][51] 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.

"[4] At the ceremony, Meldrum inducted Young who then performed, "I Hate the Music", "Yesterday's Hero" and "Love is in the Air".

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.

[56] In 2016, Young joined Jon Stevens, Kate Ceberano and Daryl Braithwaite for the APIA Good Times tour.

[61] 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.

[73] Warren Morgan, Donovan Whitworth III, Greg Plimmer, Floyd Vincent, Darren Hoad and Paul Kirtley.