Jackie Rae, CM DFC (May 14, 1922 – October 5, 2006) was a Canadian singer, songwriter and television performer.He was born John Arthur Rae in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1922. Rae began performing at the age of three with his brother and sister on the vaudeville circuit in Canada. Rae flew Spitfires as a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. During the 1950s, he was the host of The Jackie Rae Show, a variety show on CBC Television. Rae later moved to London where he performed on television for the BBC, ATV and Granada Television where he compered the popular show Spot The Tune for two years (1959-60) with singer Marion Ryan, and was subsequently the host of the first series of The Golden Shot. He formed a dance band known as the Spitfire Band in 1981 which toured across Canada. In 2002, he was awarded the Order of Canada.Songs written by Rae were hits for Eddie Arnold and Andy Williams. He collaborated with Les Reed on songs performed by Engelbert Humperdinck and Tony Bennett.Rae was married to British actress Janette Scott from 1959 to 1965.Rae died in Toronto in 2006, aged 84.His brother Saul was a Canadian diplomat. His nephew, Bob Rae, is a longtime politician and a former premier of the province of Ontario.
With his wife, TV actress Patrician McKinnon, he directed a weekly concert program for cancer patients at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.
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In the late 1950s, he moved to London (UK) and worked on BBC and Granada TV shows, as well as performing in cabarets. He was also a songwriter; his song "Please Don't Go" was recorded by Eddy Arnold, and "Happy Heart" has been covered by numerous artists.
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He was a talent scout before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
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He was awarded the C.M. (Member of the Order of Canada) on October 18, 2001 for his services to communications in Canada.
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Was a producer with the CBC, including the program "Wayne and Shuster Show" and subsequently proved a popular singing host with his own series.
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Later retired but formed a musical group "The Spitfire Band" and performed at hospitals.
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Decorated hero (Distinguished Flying Cross) as a pilot in WWII.
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At the age of three he performed as one of the Three Raes of Sunshine, which toured the Canadian vaudeville circuit.
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