Ray Cordeiro, 'Uncle Ray', world's longest-lasting DJ, dies at 98

Ray Cordeiro, a staple of the Hong Kong music scene for some seven decades, died Friday, 98 years old.

His funeral committee said Saturday local time that Cordeiro, full name Raimundo Maria Cordeiro, but much better known as "Uncle Ray", died Friday at CUHK Medical Center in Hong Kong. The cause of death was not revealed, but the committee said his friends and family sent him off with a version of "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Born on December 12, 1924, Cordeiro was a prison guard and bank employee, before starting his career in broadcasting in 1949 at Radio Rediffusion. In 1960, he was appointed head of light music at Radio Hong Kong, which later became the present RTHK. Cordeiro continued as a presenter at RTHK until 2021.

As early as 2000, he landed a Guinness record as the world's longest-lasting DJ. His show "All the Way with Ray" on RTHK ran largely non-stop from 1970 to May 2021.

His early interviews with the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard were notable, and he was recognized by Elvis Presley Enterprises for their contribution - in recent years, the three-hour late-night "All the Way" show has invariably started with an Elvis tune.

Cordeiro was awarded Hong Kong's Silver Bauhinia Star last year. Other honors include an MBE in 1987, an Honorary Fellowship from the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts in 2012, and an Honorary Doctorate of Social Sciences from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2022. RTHK presented Cordeiro with an award for all of his achievements in 1997.< /p>

"Dr. Cordeiro (Uncle Ray) has made significant contributions to the broadcasting industry during for the past 70 years and has been held in high esteem in the industry. He was the host of Hong Kong's longest-running radio show, "All the Way with Ray", to great acclaim. to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Cordeiro for his lifelong contribution to the broadcasting industry and to extend my deepest condolences to his family. We will remember him fondly," the Secretary of Commerce and Development said. Hong Kong Economics, Algernon Yau.

"Uncle Ray guided us in music appreciation with his strong professional skills, vast experience and his friendly voice over many decades. He was a prominent figure in Hong Kong's popular culture and our kind senior, making a tremendous contribution to the Hong Kong music scene. We are saddened by his passing and will be remembered by him with emotion,” Culture, Sports and Tourism Secretary Kevin Yeung said.

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