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84 years old, DJ

There’s not much one can say about Uncle Ray Cordeiro that hasn’t already been said, but we’ll repeat it here anyway: he is the world’s longest serving DJ (it says so in the Guinness Book of World Records), interviewed the Beatles three times (he has an autographed album to prove it), and is a multiple medal winner (the MBE and Bauhinia Bronze Star). Yet despite all of his achievements, Uncle Ray remains a modest man. “I don’t consider myself successful, I’m just doing my thing, you know?”

On the taxi ride from his home to the shoot, Time Out had the chance to pose a few questions to Hong Kong’s best respected Uncle. When asked about his recent award from the government, Uncle Ray said he was honoured to receive it, but then immediately followed up by saying he would not be going to the official ceremony. Why ever not? Because the timing would interfere with his show, All The Way with Ray (airs on RTHK Radio 3 at 10pm nightly), and, as he says, “it takes more than that to get me out of my show; I owe it to my audience.”

It’s this dedication to his craft that has seen Uncle Ray attract listeners from all over the world; he recently received an email from a woman in New York, who stumbled onto his show’s internet broadcast by accident, and is now a devoted listener. Why does he think he continues to attract fans? Well, as Ray says, “There are so many stations in the States, but not one that plays my kind of music.” In fact, Uncle Ray has always played to his own tune, but there is a secret to his success: “The main thing is you must be in love with what you’re doing, that’s how I can go on for so long." Words to live by, from a hero who knows what he’s talking about.

Simon Ostheimer