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Back in the '70s, an amazing young superstar by the
name of Jamie Redfern
burst onto our TV screens, capturing the heart of a nation and taking the
world by storm.
Jamie Redfern was an original member of the
Young Talent Team.
He began his TV career -like several of his other YTT
co-stars - on "Brian and the Juniors".
Jamie was born in Liverpool, a place renowned for producing entertainers.
It was here that Jamie made his debut as a singer.
In the late 60's and early 70's a young Liverpudlian who had become an
Australian became an International superstar.
When Jamie was three years of age, he used to go
down the street and sing
for the ladies and they'd offer him an ice-cream.
And so if he sang anything else, like more than one song, his brothers and
sisters would get the ice-creams too. So he was a professional at three.
Shortly after his first paid gig, the family moved to Australia where the young
Jamie really found his voice.
And there was an audition for a show called 'Brian and the Juniors'
or 'Swallows Juniors', and his Dad said, "You want to go audition for that?"
Jamie said, "Yeah." And so he did.
Jamie took the show by storm and so started his
remarkable career.
After 'Brian and the Swallows',
Jamie moved on seamlessly to 'Young Talent Time'.
It's something he's proud of. Jamie was the only member who didn't have to
audition. He remembers that because he knew them... Jamie had been working with
Johnny Young on
TV - 'Happening '70', '71', and his own morning show.
Jamie had done that a number of times, and so when it came to the concept of
'Young Talent Time', it was just a natural thing for John to host and me to be
the first child.
Jamie's career took off soon after starting
Young Talent Time so he was only
with the show for around 10 months. He released a single
"The Little White Cloud That Cried" in July 1971 that went #1 in
Melbourne and Top 20 nationally. In August of 1971 Jamie was crowned
King of Pop for 'best newcomer'
It was at these awards when he was presented the King of Pop award by Liberace
that his life changed forever.
LIBERACE said to Johnny Young: "Incidentally, Johnny, I've been watching the
show and I've enjoyed all the performers who have been on and that little boy,
that Jamie, he's fantastic. He really... I'd like to take him back to the
States.
JOHNNY YOUNG (and everyone else concerned) thought he was only joking and,
a few days later, they got a call from Seymour Heller who was also managing
Shirley MacLaine and Debbie Reynolds and a whole lot of other people in America.
He rang and said, "Look, we really would like to take him to America
and have him as a special guest on Liberace's program."
And so it was that Jamie and his father were whisked off to America on a tour
that would see him achieve what all artists dream of.
Some of Jamie's fondest memories of touring with
Liberace would have been
many things. Meeting some of the world's greatest entertainers and sitting on
Ginger Rogers's knee. Meeting Jack Benny not long before he died, and
Andy Griffith and Don Knotts, who were just hilarious.
And meeting the Jacksons. He remembers that...Michael Jackson wanting to meet
him. And Molly Meldrum ringing him up and saying,
"Michael wants to meet you. Would you like to meet him?" he said,
"What are you talking about, 'Would I like to meet him?'" Jamie taught Michael
Jackson tenpin bowls at the Southern Cross when that was going.
Jamie enjoyed success that hadn't been seen before, especially in one so young.
But, despite the record sales that were racking up,
he didn't make the bundles of money that you would associate with superstardom.
And, after a dispute over a recording contract, his career ground to a halt.
He was left in the wilderness. But rather than feeling bitter,
he used past adventures as just that. And the memories are there forever.
Elvis was the king of rock'n'roll and sent Jamie a
floral guitar...when
they opened in Las Vegas. It was a floral guitar to say congratulations.
They were supposed to have a jam session. And there was a phone call when
they were in Memphis at the gig and Liberace called him over and put him
on the phone. Elvis apologised and said that Lisa Marie had taken ill and
he had to take off. "But we'll jam some other time." Jamie said, "OK."
To make up for that, he let Jamie borrow his limousine for two weeks,
which was Jamie remembers was unbelievable.
These days, Jamie and his wife run their own talent
school, passing on the
skills and knowledge that made him an international superstar.
What does the future hold for Jamie?
Jamie believes a lot of happiness, a lot of happiness.
He's crazy about his gorgeous little girls, Hayley & Tayla and his wife and
the business
that they're running - which is really building.
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