Ray Cordeiro: World’s longest working DJ whose career spanned six decades dies
The world’s longest working DJ who spun the wheels of steel over six decades has died aged 98.
Ray Cordeiro joined Hong Kong’s public broadcaster in 1960 after working as a prison warden and bank clerk.
His All The Way With Ray show of easy listening music was broadcast for 51 years until he retired in 2021.
Cordeiro, who was born in Hong Kong in 1924 and is of Portuguese descent, was recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s longest-working DJ.
Speaking following his retirement, he said: “The audience followed me, grew up with me, and they’re all over the world now.
“They still listened to me on the internet.”
During his career spanning more than half a century, he interviewed The Beatles at the height of their fame in 1964, while doing a training course at the BBC in London.
He said John Lennon recounted their early days in Hamburg, Germany, where they lived in relative poverty and played in clubs.
Cordeiro said all four members of the Beatles autographed 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.
Other stars he interviewed included Sir Elton John and Tony Bennett.
