1. Ritchie Yorke was an Australian-born author, broadcaster, historian and music journalist, whose work was widely published in the US, UK, Canada and elsewhere.
17 Facts About Ritchie Yorke
1. 2.
Ritchie Yorke began writing a weekly music column called Teen Topics for the Queensland edition of TV Week magazine in July 1962.
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Impressed, Ritchie Yorke played the song on his weekend show but was promptly told by higher-ups not to play this kind of music.
4.
Ritchie Yorke prepared record deals for, and managed Australian pop star Normie Rowe prior to his arrival in England.
5.
In December 1966, Ritchie Yorke began working for Island Records as an international promotion manager for the Spencer Davis Group.
6.
Ritchie Yorke was tasked with promoting the band outside of England in support of their record "Gimme Some Lovin'".
7.
Ritchie Yorke found work with the Toronto Telegram before being appointed the first full-time rock writer for Canada's national newspaper, The Globe and Mail.
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Ritchie Yorke became the Canadian editor of Billboard magazine from 1970 to 1980 and Rolling Stone magazine from 1969 to 1970.
9.
Ritchie Yorke carried the posters alongside rock musician and friend Ronnie Hawkins in a 52,000 mile world tour as the Lennons' official peace envoy.
10.
Ritchie Yorke was partly responsible for the introduction of the Canadian Content legislation that was instated in 1971, acting as a major advocate of the policy from a music industry point of view.
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Ritchie Yorke testified both to the adequacy of Canada's music supply as well as the necessity of radio support to create a viable Canadian music industry.
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Later that year Ritchie Yorke was named Canadian Journalist of the Year at the Juno Music Awards in Toronto.
13.
In 1973, Ritchie Yorke cut back on his assorted journalism and broadcasting activities to focus more heavily on books.
14.
Ritchie Yorke returned to Toronto in 1974, after serving on the Committee of Honour at the 8th Montreux International Jazz and Blues Festival.
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In 1986, Ritchie Yorke returned to his hometown of Brisbane, Australia to resume broadcasting and journalism.
16.
Ritchie Yorke died in hospital in Brisbane on 6 February 2017, from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
17.
Amongst the many publications he contributed to, Ritchie Yorke was the Canadian Editor of Rolling Stone, Canadian Editor of Billboard, and was the Senior Music Writer for the Brisbane Sunday Mail for 20 years.