Jimmy Parkinson (singer)

Parkinson began his singing career as a teenager, at a ballroom in Sydney where he worked as a page boy.^[2] He became a success on Australian radio, with over 60 singles being credited to him, and was "spotted" by Ray Martin after Martin heard him sing on a demo disc; Martin did not like the song, but did like the voice.^[3] Therefore, Parkinson moved to Britain in September 1955, and landed a deal with Columbia Records, with his first single – "All At Once" –being released in November.^[4]

He had three hit singles, all coming in 1956, the biggest of them being his cover of "The Great Pretender", which made the top ten in two of the three national charts at the time (New Musical Express, Melody Maker, and Record Mirror).

He returned to Australia in 1957, and became a presenter, hosting Your Hit Parade on the 9 Network from 1957 to 1959,^[5] and The Jimmy Parkinson Show on Sydney television station ATN-7 in 1958.^[6] His television career continued into the 1960s.^[7]

Parkinson died in Eastlakes, New South Wales, in 2019, survived by his son Jason.^[8]