RIP Uncle Ray: Longest-Running DJ, Ray Cordeiro, Passes Away at 98

Former RTHK DJ and Hong Kong ‘Uncle Ray’ Ray Cordeiro died on Friday at the age of 98. Let’s see more details about Rey Cordeiro in detail.

What happened to Uncle Ray?

“Uncle Ray has passed away,” his funeral committee said in a statement Saturday. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Reynaldo Maria Cordeiro, also known as Uncle Ray, at the CUHK Medical Center on January 13, 2023, at the age of 98. His dearest family and friends bid him farewell with a performance of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

The committee said details of the memorial service would be announced soon, adding: “We would like to express our gratitude to the medical team at CUHK Medical Center for their professionalism and excellent support.”

‘World’s Most Resilient DJ’ ‘Uncle’ Ray Cordeiro, Warm Late-Night Voice for Generations in Hong Kong, Dies at 98

— Hong Kong News (@HongKong) January 14, 2023

Uncle Ray’s Cause of death

He died Jan. 13 at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Center surrounded by his closest friends, with singer Joe Jr. singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” the committee organizing his funeral said.

Hong Kong’s “Godfather of Music” Ray Cordeiro died on Friday at the age of 98. Reynaldo Maria Cordeiro, better known to his legions of listeners as Uncle Ray, died peacefully in a hospital in Hong Kong 98 years old.

Who was Uncle Ray?

Ray is known to all as “Uncle Ray”, Cordeiro has been a pioneer of popular music here for more than seven decades. Cordeiro, who was born in Hong Kong and is of Portuguese descent, said in a recent interview that he was the “happiest man in the world”.

“Doing what I want, loving what I want to love, and I don’t think I have any regrets,” he told RTHK. During his remarkable 72-year career, he met some of the biggest names in the music world, including The Beatles, Cliff Richard and Tony Bennett.

Cordeiro Radio Career Journey

Cordeiro began his radio career when he joined the British broadcaster Rediffusion in 1949, the year Fong arrived in Hong Kong. She would host the variety show The Mona Fong Show at the station in 1957.

“This show was very popular as she was already famous for her English songs. But the first time I heard her was when she was a cabaret singer and I was most impressed by her bass voice,” said Cordeiro, a Guinness World Record holder for the “most durable DJ”.

It was because of her popularity that Cordeiro invited her to be the only singer to perform on stage with Matt Monroe at Operation Santa Claus, a 1962 charity event at the new City Hall. Monroe was a top British singer who later recorded hits such as From Russia with love and Born free.

A UNIQUE way to say GOODBYE to the show

He thanked his listeners as he ended his All The Way With Ray program on Saturday night.

“Well, that’s all. Thank you very much for joining, bye, thank you for coming,” the DJ – known as Uncle Ray – said in English and Cantonese.

• In a television career that spanned 72 years. Uncle Ray became a familiar voice to millions with his late night radio show RTHK with Ray
• His programs were the launching pad for many singing careers. He met a host of music stars, including the Beatles – although Elvis eluded him.

Awards and recognition

“He was a well-known figure in Hong Kong popular culture and our kind elder. Ray greatly influenced the city’s music scene. His loss is deeply regretted and we will miss him.”

As Head of Light Music, Uncle Ray originally joined RTHK in 1960. He is well known for his program ‘With Ray’ which aired on RTHK Radio 3 for 51 years before retiring in 2021 Mr. Uncle Ray has spoken to many of the world’s greatest musicians, including the Beatles.

He was awarded the Bauhinia Silver Star last year and was recognized as the “World’s Longest DJ” by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2000. Other honors include an MBE in 1987, an honorary fellowship from the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts in 2012 and an honorary doctorate in social sciences from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2022.

Tributes have been posted

Broadcast Director Eddie Published Cheung expressed his deep sorrow at the death of Uncle Ray and extended his condolences to his friends and family. It also praised his lifelong invaluable contribution to broadcasting and the music industry.

This was said by the Minister of Trade and Economic Development, Algernon Yau he was saddened by the news and added: “I would like to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Cordeiro for his lifelong contribution to the broadcasting industry and extend my deepest condolences to his family. We will remember him fondly.”

In his tribute, Culture Minister Kevin Yeung said: “Uncle Ray guided us to appreciate music with his good professional skills, extensive experience and friendly voice for many decades.

I woke up to hear legendary #Hong Kong radio host Uncle Ray Cordeiro has died. I interviewed him several times – his account of fighting the communists with rock ‘n’ roll records blasting through the PA speakers on the roof of the radio station is timeless. A true gentleman. It’s okay.

— Jarrod Watt (@Jay_Watt) January 14, 2023

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