Don Spencer OAM is a household name across generations of Aussies – whether you’ve enjoyed his talents on stage, through his many albums or on your loungeroom telly.
Though he’s no longer hanging out with Humpty Dumpty and Big Ted on Play School, his presence in the entertainment industry remains.
He only recently announced the release of his latest album Wonderful World of Pets and in 2022 he marked the significant milestone of 60 years in showbusiness, reflecting on his career in an interview on Today Extra at the time.
“It was all surreal to be honest,” he said of his decades-long career in the interview.
Watch the video above.
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Now 62 years on he’s still doing what he does best. So, let’s take a look back at his career highlights and where he’s at now.
Spencer didn’t set out to become an entertainer, and didn’t study music.
However, we have a chance encounter with singer Roger Whittaker when he was 20 years old to thank for Spencer’s foray into the singer-songwriter sphere.
The pair’s meeting led to him writing and releasing an array of music across different genres, earning him gold and platinum certification for his albums.
He also went on to tour with the likes of the Rolling Stones and the Four Seasons.
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Of course, Spencer is also synonymous with his music for children, with his songs including Bob the Kelpie, Fairy Penguin Strut and Pat the Cat forming the soundtrack to many an Aussie childhood.
Who could possibly forget the lyrics “Sheep are cute, sheep are beaut, sheep are soft and curly”?
Spencer was a host on Play School for 30 years, and is the only host to appear on both the Australian and UK versions of the children’s show, according to his website.
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Play School presenters: Then and now
It wasn’t his only TV presenting role, however; the performer also hosted UK programs Gangway and Pop-Inn. He’s also appeared in series such as A Country Practice and Sons and Daughters.
In 2007, Spencer was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his “service to children’s music and television as a songwriter and performer”.
Reflecting on his 60-year career, Spencer – whose daughter Danielle Spencer is also a musician – says it has been surreal as he had “never set out to be a performer”.
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“Everybody from my home town, for years, every time I’d go back … they’d say, ‘When are you going to get a real job?'” he quipped to Today Extra‘s David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys.
“And I’d say, ‘I’m gonna be a doctor when I grow up’.”
Today, Spencer continues to lend his skills to the children’s music industry. His newly released album combines his iconic music with his passion for animals.
“This album has a song for all animal lovers,” Spencer told Amnplify.
“From the beloved Bob the Kelpie and The Smart Galah to Pete the Lorikeet and Shirley the Lawn Mowing Sheep, I hope you get as much enjoyment singing along as I did in recording this fun album.”
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