During the first decade of Australian television (1956 - 66) local stations over here relied heavily upon imported talent. Dozens of American performers were brought "Down Under" to provide an international flavor to our viewing fare and most of them enjoyed considerable success. Some stayed only briefly while others became permanent residents.
The comedy team of Delo and Daly proved to be one of the most popular Pan Am deliveries to reach our shores during that period.
Comprising swing singer Ken Delo and toothy sidekick Jonathan Daly, this dynamic duo presented what was essentially a rapid fire and somewhat boisterous night club act which appeared to be heavily influenced by Martin and Lewis.
First appearing on Channel 9's "In Melbourne Tonight", their breezy combination of irreverent humor and snappy musical duets immediately struck a chord with audiences. The applause was deafening and rival station HSV 7 wasted no time in offering these two new discoveries a regular night time variety show of their own.
Over the next couple of years the likable pair attracted an impressive following, eventually winning TV Week "Logie" awards - Australia's equivalent to the Emmys.
It was all heady stuff but the allure of their homeland finally proved too strong and by 1965 the boys had said farewell to their loyal Aussie fans.
In the ensuing years, Ken rose to national prominence in the US as a regular cast member of the long running "Lawrence Welk Show" while Jonathan became a familiar face on numerous TV sitcoms such as "Bewitched", "Petticoat Junction", "Chico and the Man" and other favorites of the era. He also enjoyed a film career with the Disney studios in the 1970s.
Always a passionate believer in positive thinking and the powers of the mind, Ken is now a successful hypnotherapist and self help guru in Los Angeles while Jonathan has also long since scraped away the grease paint to pursue a writing career .
Despite their new callings,however, both will always be fondly remembered here in Australia for the many hours of outstanding entertainment that they provided during those first magical years of television .
The comedy team of Delo and Daly proved to be one of the most popular Pan Am deliveries to reach our shores during that period.
Comprising swing singer Ken Delo and toothy sidekick Jonathan Daly, this dynamic duo presented what was essentially a rapid fire and somewhat boisterous night club act which appeared to be heavily influenced by Martin and Lewis.
First appearing on Channel 9's "In Melbourne Tonight", their breezy combination of irreverent humor and snappy musical duets immediately struck a chord with audiences. The applause was deafening and rival station HSV 7 wasted no time in offering these two new discoveries a regular night time variety show of their own.
Over the next couple of years the likable pair attracted an impressive following, eventually winning TV Week "Logie" awards - Australia's equivalent to the Emmys.
It was all heady stuff but the allure of their homeland finally proved too strong and by 1965 the boys had said farewell to their loyal Aussie fans.
In the ensuing years, Ken rose to national prominence in the US as a regular cast member of the long running "Lawrence Welk Show" while Jonathan became a familiar face on numerous TV sitcoms such as "Bewitched", "Petticoat Junction", "Chico and the Man" and other favorites of the era. He also enjoyed a film career with the Disney studios in the 1970s.
Always a passionate believer in positive thinking and the powers of the mind, Ken is now a successful hypnotherapist and self help guru in Los Angeles while Jonathan has also long since scraped away the grease paint to pursue a writing career .
Despite their new callings,however, both will always be fondly remembered here in Australia for the many hours of outstanding entertainment that they provided during those first magical years of television .
