# Don Spencer

Donald Richard Spencer OAM (born 1936 or 1937) is an Australian singer-songwriter, musician, and former children's television presenter. He had a long tenure as a host on Play School on both the Australian version (1968–99) and the United Kingdom version (1972–88), one of only two presenters to work on both versions.
In March 1963, his first single, "Fireball" – the theme tune to a UK TV science fiction series Fireball XL5 – reached No.32 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2002, Spencer established the Australian Children's Music Foundation. On Australia Day (26 January) 2007, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) with the citation "for service to children's music and television as a songwriter and performer, and through the establishment of the Australian Children's Music Foundation". Spencer married Julie Horsfall, they have two children: Dean, a musician; and Danielle, an actress and singer, who was married to actor Russell Crowe between 2003 and 2018. In 2022, he celebrated his 60th year in the performing industry.

## Early life

Spencer was born in Tamworth to John Henry and Lillian May Spencer. He attended Tamworth High School. He played hockey as a teenager and competed in the Australian championships. At 17, he left Australia and travelled to Africa, where, in his 20s, he trained with the Kenyan hockey team, trying out for the Olympics. A chance meeting with locally-born, British singer-songwriter, Roger Whittaker, in Nairobi inspired Spencer to buy a guitar and start his musical career.

## Recording and performance career

In the early 1960s, Don Spencer moved to London and became a solo singer-guitarist, supporting various acts such as The Rolling Stones, the Four Seasons, The Hollies and Marianne Faithfull. His first single, "Fireball", was released on the His Master's Voice label; it was the closing theme song for the television science fiction series Fireball XL5, written by Barry Gray. In March 1963, it reached No. 32 on the UK Singles Chart. Other singles included "Busy Doing Nothing", "Worried Mind", "Marriage Is for Old Folks", and a cover of The Beatles' 1965 song "In My Life". In 1964, he covered Brent Edwards' version of Johnny Madara and David White's track "Pride Is Such a Little Word".

## Television and radio

Spencer started his successful broadcasting career in the United Kingdom. At the BBC he presented his own teenage pop show Gangway! for seven years. He co-hosted a radio program called Pop-In. He later appeared in TV comedies such as Face It with Ronnie Barker.
Spencer returned to Australia and appeared on TV's Bandstand, briefly featured in series Sons and Daughters and Return to Eden and in the 1974 film Barry McKenzie Holds His Own. In 1977, Spencer wrote his next single, "What's a Pommie?" The track was covered by fellow Australians Rolf Harris and Col Elliott.

## Play School: Children's entertainer

Spencer is best known for his long tenure. as a children's entertainer, as both a presenter and recording artist, he joined the Australia TV series Play School in 1968 and the United Kingdom version of the same title in 1972. He continued on both versions for 17 years, the only male presenter to appear on both versions. One of his well-known phrases was "old magazines", which he used to effect when describing items used to make something. During this period, he recorded and released albums, primarily through ABC Records over a 27 year period that helped to educate children, mostly about the many species of Australian animals, and they in turn have received awards for gold and platinum sales. He continued on the Australian version until 1999.

## Music career

At the APRA Music Awards of 1995, Spencer's tracks "Have a Beaut Day" and "Stand Up" were nominated for Most Performed Children's Work; they were co-written by Spencer with Allan Caswell.
In 2002, Spencer established the Australian Children's Music Foundation (ACMF) as its inaugural CEO. In 2007, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day (26 January) for "service to children's music and television as a songwriter and performer, and through the establishment of the Australian Children's Music Foundation". In 2008, Spencer was awarded for Excellence in Community Support presented by Support Act Limited.
In December 2010, the ACMF sponsored a supergroup, Peacebeliever, which recorded a cover version of Plastic Ono Band's 1969 single "Give Peace a Chance" for their charity. Alongside Spencer, fellow vocalists include Katie Noonan, Blue King Brown, Tim Freedman, Newton Faulkner, and Omara Portuondo. In July 2013, Spencer announced the ACMF's 11th annual National Kids Songwriting Competition, which is open to school-aged children from four to eighteen years old. Spencer said, "We want kids to unleash their creativity and engage with learning in a fun way ... Music can give kids really positive self expression and is a great tool for improving literacy levels".
As of 2023, Spencer continues to record and perform with his latest release a musical adaption, based on Rudyard Kipling poem "If".

## Personal life

Don Spencer married Julie Horsfall, a caterer from Yorkshire. They have two children: Dean and Danielle Spencer (born 16 May 1969). Dean is a musician, while Danielle is an actress and singer, who was married to actor Russell Crowe from 2003 to 2018.
Spencer resides in Darlinghurst, New South Wales.

## Discography
### Albums

| Title | Details | Certification |
| Don Spencer from Play School sings 21 Children's Favourites | Released: 1984 Label: J&B (JB 095) | |
| Feathers, Fur or Fins | Released: 1985 Label: ABC Records (836 053–1) Format: LP, Cassette | ARIA: Gold |
| Hokey Cokey (with Chloe Ashcroft & Carol Chell) | Released: 1985 (UK) Label: BBC Records (REC 557) Format: LP | |
| Australian Animal Songs | Released: 1988 Label: ABC Records (836 054–1) Format: LP, Cassette, CD | ARIA: Platinum |
| Australia for Kids | Released: August 1989 Label: ABC Records (838 415–1) Format: LP, Cassette, CD | Peaked at number 77 on the ARIA charts. ARIA: Gold |
| Let's Have Fun | Released: 1990 Label: ABC Records (846 596–1) Format: LP, Cassette, CD | |
| The Best of Don Spencer | Released: August 1991 Label: ABC Records Format: LP, Cassette, CD | Peaked at number 110 on the ARIA charts. |
| Walkabout | Released: April 1992 Label: ABC Records Format: LP, Cassette, CD | Peaked at number 128 on the ARIA charts. |
| Have a Beaut Day | Released: 1994 Label: ABC Records (814 447–2) Format: CD | |
| The Ultimate Collection | Released: 2007 Label: ABC Records (E-301402–2) Format: 2×CD | |

### Charting singles

List of singles with selected chart positions :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Year | UK |
| "Fireball"/"I'm All Alone Again" | 1962 | 32 |

### Other singles

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Year | AUS |
| "The Garden" (as Australia Too) | 1985 | 22 |
| "If" | 2023 | — |
| "Hold On To Your Dream" | 2024 | — |

## TV and filmography

* Bandstand – television series
* Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (1974)
* King's Men – television series (1976)
* Sons and Daughters – television series (1982)
* Return to Eden – television series (1986)
* A Country Practice – television series (1991)
* Play School – Australian television series (1968–99)
* Play School – UK television series (1972–88)

## Awards
### Tamworth Songwriters Awards

The Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA) is an annual songwriting contest for original country songs, awarded in January at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. They commenced in 1986. Don Spencer won one award in that time.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) |
| 1995 | "Pete the Lorikeet" by Don Spencer | Children's Song of the Year | Won |

### APRA Music Awards

| Year | Nominated works | Award | Result | Ref |
| 1995 | "Have a Beaut Day" | Most Performed Children's Work | Nominated | |
| 1995 | "Stand Up" | Most Performed Children's Work | Nominated | |

### ARIA Music Awards

| Year | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Category | Result |
| 1989 | Australian Animal Songs | Best Children's Album | Nominated |
| 1990 | Australia for Kids | Best Children's Album | Nominated |
| 1991 | Let's Have Fun | Best Children's Album | Nominated |
| 1998 | Australian Classics | Best Children's Album | Nominated |

### AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
| Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
| 2024 | Outstanding Achievement Award | awarded | |