Written by BBC R2
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 128 Kbps

On the eve of his 90th birthday, Sir Jimmy Young talks to Ken Bruce and looks back at his singing years and radio decades. From the baker's boy in Cinderford, Gloucestershire (at one time stopped by the police for driving underage), via the wartime Royal Air Force and then as a pianist in night clubs and dance bands, Jim became a hugely successful 50s singer and pop star - the first British act to have two consecutive number ones. Then rock 'n' roll burst upon the scene and Jim was looking for another career - he found it on radio.

Starting with Housewive's Choice and Radio Luxembourg, he was part of the launch team for Radio 1 and then moved across to Radio 2, inventing an 'impossible' format of pop and politics. For nearly 30 years he interviewed ministers, prime ministers, heads of state and royalty to achieve many awards and firsts. With live programmes from around the world he set a standard and a record which is unlikely to be matched.

After achieving 53 years at various BBC microphones, there were times when it was not so bright, an unhappy childhood and then times when he flogged around dismal variety theatres and a time when, suffering from depression, he even had suicidal thoughts.

Who was the most impressive person he ever interviewed and which performer's record would he place in his hall of fame? Ken Bruce shares a lifetime of memories with a former colleague and one of British radio's great personalities and voices.

As Jim cheerfully says - he's older than the BBC - so what then was the recipe?