Clarry turns 90
Mr Clarry Johnston was born on June 21, 1923 in Johannesburg and has lived in Bedfordview for the last 47 years.
He went to Jeppe High School for Boys and took part in school athletics. However, he was more interested in music. He first showed his musical abilities when he played a harmonica in the school assembly. In 1937 Mr Johnston entered a competition for the best South African “Popeye” imitation. He went on to win the competition and Mr Billy Costello, the original voice of “Popeye”, gave him a Popeye costume and mask.
From then on he became interested in impersonation and impersonated many of the film stars and singers of that time, such as George Formby, Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson and many more.
By the age of 16, Mr Johnston had taught himself to play the piano-accordion, ukulele and guitar which he used in his impersonations. This set him off on an entertainment career and for the next few years he performed in shows at theatres and clubs.
When Clarry was 20, he met the love of his life, Hazel and in 1948 they were married. They went on to enter and win professional talent competitions and toured the whole of South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In 1950 African Theatres brought out the first television exhibition in Africa. Clarry and Hazel became the first artists to be televised in Africa.
In 1953 Clarry and Hazel had their daughter, Melody and in 1957 their son, Raymond was born. Their children joined the entertainment business, Melody at the age of four and Raymond was three years old. Clarry taught Melody to play the bells, xylophone, melodica, piano and organ and soon Raymond followed with playing the chimes and singing. This musical act also afforded them the opportunity to tour England, Scotland and Ireland, doing shows on the variety circuit.
“The Johnston Family” as they were known, were asked to join the original Boswel Circus as a family musical act and toured with them all over the country, South West Africa and the two Rhodesias. For two years most of their time in the circus was spent living on a train where each act had a compartment. They used to stop at hotels on the way to have a bath.
Clarry’s musical talent has allowed him to meet many famous people, including Pat Boone, Frankie Laine, Vera Lynn, Jim Reeves, Cliff Richard as well as the famous Hollywood actress, Marlene Dietrich and Liberace.
Through the years, Clarry carried on entertaining people together with his family and today he sits back and reaps the benefit of his hard work by watching his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren carry on with his musical legacy.
Mr Johnston’s granddaughter, Mrs Michelle Bird, said that her grandfather has always been an inspiration to his family. “He is always willing to help whenever needed and has only shown love and support to all. His was always eager to show an interested child how to play an instrument or teach them a quick tune or encourage them when they sang or played anything,” she said.
Currently, Clarry and Hazel live each day surrounded by their family of two children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, each of whom are eternally grateful for an amazing man that has formed such an integral part of their lives.
