Ray Cordeiro, the world's longest working DJ, has died aged 98

The world’s longest working DJ, Ray Cordeiro has died aged 98.

Passing away in hospital on January 13, Cordeiro - best known as Uncle Ray - was famous for his seven-decade-long career as a DJ which was recognised by the Guinness Book of Records.

Radio station, RTHK confirmed the news by publishing the funeral committee statement that read: "It is with profound sorrow we announce the passing of Reinaldo Maria Cordeiro, also fondly known as Uncle Ray, at the CUHK Medical Centre on 13 January 2023, aged 98. His dearest family and friends bade farewell to him with a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone."

Raised in Hong Kong, Cordeiro previously worked as a prison warden and a bank clerk before joining Radio Rediffusion in 1949, starting his career as a DJ.

In 1960, Cordeiro was made the Head of Light Music at Radio Hong Kong which later was named RTHK.

Studying in London with the BBC, Cordeiro interviewed The Beatles in 1964 which led to him being honoured with an MBE in 1987.

As well as interviewing The Beatles, he also met the likes of Elvis Presley, Elton John and Tony Bennett.

Cordeiro presented his ‘All The Way With Ray’ radio show on RTHK until retiring aged 96 in 2021.

“The audience followed me, grew up with me, and they’re all over the world now,” Cordeiro said in 2021 to AP after his retirement. “They still listened to me on the internet.”

Last year he was awarded Hong Kong’s Silver Bauhinia Star which added to his long list of honours including an Honorary Fellowship from the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, an Honorary Doctorate of Social Science from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and RTHK’s lifetime achievement award in 1997.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Video and Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter