Christopher Reid Young Jnr
Source: Glen Innes Examiner
The death of a Gulgong native, Mr. Christopher Reid ('Chris') Young, at the age of 77, lowered the curtain on the career of a man whose principal aim in life was to bring enjoyment to his fellow beings. Through his musical accomplishments, he made a name for himself not only in every State of Australia but in a host of overseas countries as well.
In Glen Innes he was known as a kindly gentleman and a good citizen, always ready to help a person or an organisation in any way he could, says the 'Glen Innes Examiner.'
Entertaining Abilities.
The late Mr. Young was born in 1877 at Gulgong (north of Mudgee), where his father conducted a general store. Devoted to music, he became an accomplished pianist at a very early age.
In 1904, while living in Dubbo, Mr. Young's entertaining. abilities deeply impressed Professor Corrick, leader of the then renowned 'Marvellous Corricks' family troupe of entertainers. The Professor invited Mr. Young to join the troupe, and he accepted.
Toured the World.
As pianist and comedian, he toured the whole of Australia and went on to meet with outstanding success in Ceylon, India, Burma, Singapore, Italy, France and England.
His popularity can be judged from newspaper clippings and programmes included in a scrapbook he kept for almost half a century.
When the Corricks played before the Governor of Singapore and the Sultan of Johore in 1908, the 'Straits Times' said: Mr. Chris. Young excelled himself in his humorous sketches . . . and kept the audience in roars of laughter.'
'Distinctly Comic'.
Closer to home, Mr. Young's appearance with the Corricks in Adelaide prompted the following, comments from C. J. Dennis, of 'Sentimental Bloke' fame, then a reporter on a magazine: 'Chris Young, the comic relief, unlike most of his ilk, succeeded in being distinctly comic . . .'
Another Adelaide publication said: 'Mr. Young's comic songs are of unusual merit. He is refined in his humour. There is no thing approaching vulgarity in his selections, and they are all the more entertaining.'
Of his brilliance as a pianist, it is perhaps sufficient to say that Mr. Young at one time was accompanist for Dame Nellie Melba, Australia's most famous prima donna.
While on a tour of Queensland in 1911, Mr. Young was stopped in the street at Maryborough by a man who asked him to go with him and hear his daughter sing. He accompanied the stranger to his hotel, where he heard a girl of 15 or 16 who had a most beautiful voice.
Found Gladys Moncrieff.
Mr. Young was so impressed with the girl's voice that he advised the father to take her to Sydney and approach somebody connected with the J. C. Williamson Company. This the father did. That 'teenage girl singer was Gladys Moncrieff, later known affectionately to millions of Australians as 'Our Glad'.
As well as the Corrick family, Mr. Young spent some time with the Stanley McKay Company, also well known.
After some years spent at Tweed Heads, Mr. Young came to Glen Innes about 15 years ago and quickly established himself in the community by his eagerness to assist in anything for the benefit of the town.
Musical Revues.
He gave invaluable assistance to all Church and charitable functions and produced many musical revues over the years.
Perhaps his greatest success in this field was the writing and producing of pantomimes, which were staged in many other towns in Australia and popularly received. He was a keen disciple of Gilbert and Sullivan and played the lighter music as only Chris Young could. His four-piece band was always a feature of his shows.
Community Service.
He was a worthy member of the Roman Catholic community and was organist at St. Patrick's Church, a position he was compelled to relinquish about a year ago because of ill-health. He was a member of the Glen Innes Rotary Club for 14 years, during which time he was honorary pianist.
Mr, Chris Young will be remembered for his kindly disposition, his keen sense of humour and his devoted community service in many fields, especially that of music.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 17 Jun 1954 Page 10
Kate Rooney, Dubbo
Toured with CR Young in 1909
Source: Gulgong Pioneers Museum
