[17] 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][18][19] Young's debut performance on Countdown had him miming "Yesterday's Hero" while dressed in a sailor's suit surrounded on an island stage by a studio audience of screaming teen girls.

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

[18] In April 1975, Molly Meldrum wrote in his Listener In-TV column "Now, if this record is not a hit all over Australia then I'll burn my Beatles collection".

[1] Cash Box magazine said "Heavy guitar riffs compliment the wailing vocal of John Paul as he rocks and rolls.