JIMMY HANNAN

Jimmy Hannan born 25 August 1934 was an Australian radio and television personality, variety show host, singer, entertainer and game show host of the 1960s and 1970s. He commenced his career in show business by playing the clarinet with the Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra. Jimmy's success story began in late 1956 when he was selected as Australia's first Quiz King on Channel 9's Name That Tune which won him sufficient money to make a trip to Canada and the USA. His Canadian debut was as a country and western singer which eventually led to more sophisticated appearances with artists such as Carmen McRae, Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence. His brief stay in Canada spread to four years with important starring roles and lead parts in stage productions such as The Boyfriend with the Toronto Art Theatre. Jimmy crossed the border into the USA and worked the night club circuit including the world-famous Blue Angel in New York. He also appeared on The Jack Paar Show.

Returning to Sydney with a wealth of experience he became one of the pioneers of television. He appeared regularly on Graham Kennedy's variety show In Melbourne Tonight, and later hosted his own musical variety show Jimmy, later called Tonight with Jimmy Hannan. Hannan hosted music show Saturday Date from 1963 until 1967, which featured such performers as Billy Thorpe and Olivia Newton-John.

In 1963 he released his first single, ''Beach Ball'' which became a hit. The song featured The Bee Gees as backing vocalists. Jimmy was the first artist to appear on Festival's new RG label (Reg Grundy's initials). He won the 1965 Gold Logie award for most popular personality on Australian television and supported Leslie Uggams on her tour of Australia. He continued to record during the 60s and released an album, 'This Could Be The Start Of Something Big' (1965). In 1970 Jimmy joined the Festival label and had a hit with ''Curly'' before popping up again on RCA with ''Chang The Magic Dragon''. Jimmy followed it with ''Sail Away''. 

Hannan hosted game shows including Name That Tune and Celebrity Squares. One of Hannan's daughters is Melissa Hannan, who won the Miss Australia title in 1981 and was also in the Miss World competition held in London. He retired from show business at 50 and died on 7 January 2019, aged 84 from cancer in Bellingen, New South Wales.

SINGLES

''Beach Ball (#22) / You Gotta Have Love'' 1963 RG (Reg Grundy)
''Little Latin Lupe Lu / You Guessed It'' 1964 RG (Reg Grundy)
''Hokey Pokey Stomp (#50) / You Make Me Happy'' 1964 RG (Reg Grundy)
''It's A Cotton Candy World / Come Out Dancin' (#90) 1964 RG (Reg Grundy)
''See That Girl / In My Imagination'' 1965 RG (Reg Grundy)
''Gloria / Young'' 1966 RG (Reg Grundy)
''The Lady Came From Baltimore / You Can't Do That'' 1968 Astor
''Curly (#49) / Sheila Ann'' 1970 Fable
''Thanks / Anything Could Happen'' 1970 Fable
''Money, Money / Little Girl'' 1971 Fable
''Love Is For The Two Of Us / Did You Give The World Some Love Today, Babe [with Liv Maessen] 1971 Fable
''May Each Day / Together Forever'' 1972 Fable

''Chang The Magic Dragon (#49) / The One And Only Original Sunshine Kid'' 1975 RCA
''Sail Away / Wooden Heart'' 1975 RCA
''Crazy Signs / Bon Appetit'' 1979 7 Records

EPs

'Jimmy Hannan Sings' 1963 RG (Reg Grundy)
'Hokey Pokey Stomp And Beach Ball' 1964 RG (Reg Grundy)

'It's A Cotton Candy World' 1965 RG (Reg Grundy)
'Jimmy Hannan' 1973 Fable

ALBUMS

'Beach Party' 1964 RG (Reg Grundy)

'This Could Be The Start Of Something Big' 1965 (Reg Grundy)





References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Hannan

http://top100singles.blogspot.com.au/