HONG KONG – Ray Cordeiro, who interviewed music acts like The Beatles during a six-decade career on Hong Kong radio that earned him the title of the world’s longest-serving disc jockey, has died, his former employer has announced. He was 98.
Cordeiro died on Friday, according to Radio Television Hong Kong, where he worked until 2021. There was no cause of death.
Cordeiro, who was born in Hong Kong in 1924 to Portuguese descent, was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s longest working DJ.
He joined Hong Kong Public Broadcasting in 1960 after working as a prison guard and bank teller. His easy listening music show All the Way With Ray ran on RTHK Radio 3 for 51 years until his retirement.
“Audience followed me, grew up with me and is now touring around the world.” Cordeiro told The Associated Press in 2021 after his retirement. “They were still listening to me on the internet.”
Cordeiro interviewed The Beatles, then the world’s biggest music act, in 1964 after a study course in London with the British Broadcasting Corp. He said John Lennon told of their beginnings in Hamburg, Germany, where they lived in relative poverty and played clubs.
Cordeiro said all four members of The Beatles signed a magazine cover for him.
“It’s probably worth a fortune,” he said.
The broadcast of the Beatles interview on Hong Kong radio made Cordeiro a celebrity. He also interviewed other stars and met Elton John and Tony Bennett.
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