Jack Davey
Jack Davey | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Andrew Davey 8 February 1907 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Died | 14 October 1959 (aged 52) Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Radio personality, singer, television presenter |
| Years active | Early 1930s–1959 |
| Known for | Australian radio broadcasting, quiz shows, "Hi Ho, Everybody" catchphrase |
John Andrew Davey (8 February 1907 – 14 October 1959), widely recognized as Jack Davey, was a singer born in New Zealand who became a trailblazing figure in Australian radio from the early 1930s through the late 1950s. He also had a brief stint as a television presenter.
Early life
Davey was born in Auckland and attended King's College. He was the second son of Arthur Henry Davey, a captain with the Union Steam Ship Company, and Ella May Hunter. After finishing school, he worked in a haberdashery department but left following an incident involving a close colleague.
Prior to entering the entertainment industry, Davey held various occupations including signwriting, used car sales, and assistant stage management at theatres. Although his father encouraged him to pursue a maritime career, Davey abandoned this path after experiencing harsh conditions aboard ship and instead chose to follow entertainment.
Career
In 1931, Davey arrived in Sydney aboard his father’s vessel and decided to remain in Australia, founding Jack Davey Productions Ltd. He began his career as a crooner on ABC's 2BL before gaining prominence after joining commercial station 2GB. Biographer Lew Wright recounted:
They offered: 'Yes, Mr Davey, you can sing for us at three guineas.' He agreed. He was required to sing three times weekly. Remarkably, within an hour of securing this three-guinea job, he went into Park Street in the city and purchased three suits, ties, shoes, and even a car. Yet at week’s end, he received only nine guineas. He told Lew: 'If they are that careless with money, they could have had me for three. I knew this was where I belonged.'
Marriages
Davey’s first marriage was to Dulcie May Mary Webb on 17 July 1936 in Sydney; they divorced in 1942. His second marriage took place on 24 May 1947 to Dorothy Daisy Lush.
Radio
Davey rapidly gained fame hosting a breakfast program, daytime quizzes, evening variety shows, and providing voiceovers for Fox Movietone newsreels. Moving away from singing, he became known for his signature phrase "Hi Ho, Everybody" and rose to become Australia’s most well-compensated and beloved radio figure as a writer, producer, and host.
A noted gambler, Davey frequently spent money as quickly as it came in but remained self-assured about his ability to continually increase his earnings to sustain his lifestyle. His initial quiz show "That's What You Think" launched on 2GB in 1934. By 1935—dubbed "Crazy" Davey—he transitioned from morning slots to prime-time evening broadcasts, enhancing his value to the station. Concurrently, he voiced Fox-Movietone newsreels for twenty-five years.
He was publicly known for his rivalry with American-born quiz show host Bob Dyer.
World War Two
By 1941, Davey was presenting three weekly shows on the Macquarie Network: "The Youth Show," "Star Parade" (later renamed "Calling the Stars"), and "Rise and Shine," an army-themed quiz program. While most programs were recorded before live audiences in Sydney and then distributed via disc to network stations, Melbourne listeners insisted on live broadcasts. Consequently, Colgate-Palmolive’s production team rented a theatre there for Sunday night performances that attracted full houses.
Despite this popularity, Davey departed from the production unit believing better financial opportunities awaited elsewhere. He then joined the American Red Cross as a field entertainer with the rank of captain, performing for military personnel throughout Australia and various Pacific islands.
Return to radio
Following the conclusion of the war, Davey resumed his radio career by rejoining Colgate-Palmolive's production team, which in 1946 transferred its programs to Sydney competitor 2UE. He remained there until his contract expired, after which he made a comeback to Macquarie in 1950.
During this period, Davey was responsible for producing several weekly quiz shows, talent competitions, and entertainment broadcasts, while also maintaining his involvement with Fox-Movietone newsreels. Additionally, he branched out into ventures such as nightclub ownership and automobile auctions.
Notably, in 1955, one of his contestants was a sixteen-year-old John Howard, who would later become Prime Minister of Australia. A recording of that episode still survives.
Redex and Ampol reliability trials
A passionate car aficionado throughout his life, Davey took part in the inaugural Redex Reliability Trial in 1953 alongside co-driver Lou Moss, piloting a Ford Customline. Later that year, however, he suffered a collapse due to heart complications, marking the start of his health challenges.
Despite these setbacks, he increased his radio commitments and entered the second Redex Trial in 1954. After another collapse requiring hospitalization at St Luke's Hospital, medical professionals advised him to cut back on his workload. Even while confined to the hospital, Davey persisted with writing and broadcasting activities. Prohibited from participating in the 1955 Redex Trial, he subsequently competed in the Ampol round-Australia reliability trials in 1956 (driving a Ford Customline) and again in 1957–58 (behind the wheel of Chryslers).
Final years
Disregarding medical recommendations to ease his pace, Davey escalated his professional engagements. In 1955, he introduced "Go for Greys," a program sponsored by Greys cigarettes, alongside other shows such as the "Ampol Show," "Give it a Go," and various broadcasts for Brylcreem, Eno, and Dulux.
As his condition deteriorated further, doctors affiliated with the Macquarie Network once again urged him to rest—advice he chose to ignore. By 1957, he ventured into television with three regular series on Sydney's ATN-7 station: The Dulux Show, The Pressure Pak Show, and Give it a Go. Managing weekday radio duties alongside Saturday television production intensified his workload considerably.
In 1958, 2GB enlisted him to return to breakfast radio as a strategy against television's growing popularity. Midway through 1959, X-ray examinations revealed lung cancer; nevertheless, Davey persisted with his work and traveled to the United States to observe developments in television technology. Subsequent medical evaluations indicated cancer progression, necessitating hospitalization.
Davey passed away at St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst on 14 October 1959—the same day that fellow Australian legend Errol Flynn died. His cremation was followed by a memorial service at St Andrew's Anglican Cathedral, which drew an estimated crowd of between 100,000 and 150,000 attendees.