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Uncle Ray CORDEIRO

Uncle Ray CORDEIRO

2012 Honorary Fellow

Uncle Ray CORDEIRO

Citation

“Uncle Ray”, who was born as Reinaldo Maria Cordeiro on December 12, 1924, is a famous personality in Hong Kong from having devoted his life to the development of radio broadcasting and the local music scene.

After graduating from St. Joseph’s College, Uncle Ray began his career after the Second World War as a warder at Stanley Prison. 1949 marked a turning point in his career when at the age of 25 he joined Rediffusion as a script writer and started his first radio show Progressive Jazz. In 1960 he joined Radio Hong Kong as Head of Light Music, and since the 1970s he has presented the daily live show “All the Way with Ray” which soon became part of the lives of the people of Hong Kong.

During his career, Uncle Ray has interviewed many famous international musicians including the Beatles, Cliff Richard, Tony Bennett, the Bee Gees, Connie Francis, the Carpenters, Patti Page, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, Pat Boone, Elton John, Oscar Peterson, Henry Mancini, Diana Ross, Paul Anka, Don McLean, Ella Fitzgerald, Peter Paul & Mary, the Platters, the Rolling Stones, Boney M.

Local musicians he has interviewed include: Sam Hui, Michael Kwan, Teddy Robin & The Playboys, Mona Fong, Rebecca Pan, Jacky Cheung, Wynners, Roman Tam, Leslie Cheung, Chopsticks, Teresa Carpio, Frances Yip, Joe Junior, Christine Samson, Romy and Danny Diaz, Irene Ryder, Michael Remedios and the Mystics.

With Rediffusion he presented Progressive Jazz (1949 - 1960), Talent Time (1950 - 1956), and Rumpus Time (1950 - 1956), and with RTHK he has presented Just For You (1964 - 1969), From Me To You (1964 - 1969), Hit Parade (1964 - 1969), Lucky Dip (1964 - 1969) and since 1970, All the Way with Ray.

Uncle Ray was honoured with an MBE in 1987 and a Bronze Bauhinia Star in 2008. Paul Anka presented him with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” on behalf of RTHK in 1997, the Charity Gold Songs Gala Dinner All the Way with Ray for Yan Oi Tong Cancer Fund in 2010 marked Uncle Ray’s 60th Anniversary in Radio Broadcasting, and he was recognised in 2000 by Guinness World Records as “The World’s Most Durable Radio DJ”.