John Laws, Australian talkback radio star, dies aged 90 | Australian media
John Laws, the once-great name of Australian talkback radio, has died at the age of 90.
A member of the Australian Media Hall of Fame, Laws attracted 2 million listeners to his morning radio show at the height of his popularity during his seven-decade-plus career.
Former colleagues and friends on Sunday evening remembered the man known as the “golden tonsils”, who died a year after turning off his microphone.
“Today marks a very difficult day for our family with the news that our beloved father/grandfather/uncle John Laws has passed away peacefully at home,” his family said in a statement.
Laws was hospitalized for two weeks in October. He died at his home in the inner Sydney suburb of Woolloomooloo.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Laws was “an iconic voice and so much more”.
“Generations of Australians have trusted and respected him because he gets it straight, goes deep and gives his guests and listeners a chance to be heard,” Albanese said.
“John was always a thoroughly prepared and thoughtful interviewer and a great friend off the air. I offer my condolences to his loved ones and all those who benefited from his wisdom and guidance.”
Born in New Guinea on 8 August 1935, Laws moved to Australia with his family as a schoolboy and began his radio career in Bendigo in 1953.
After first joining the broadcaster in 1957, he had four stints at Sydney station 2UE, worked for 2GB, 2UW and 2SM, and had short spells at Network Ten and Foxtel.
“John Laws was one of the true originals,” Kyle Sandilands said on X on Sunday.
“You could never confuse him with anyone else. He said what he thought, he didn’t care who he hurt, but he could also show deep compassion when necessary.
“I’m devastated to have lost a mentor and a friend. Radio won’t be the same without him.”
Laws pioneered a unique blend of entertainment, information and opinion that has made him one of the nation’s most recognized voices.
His shows were widely broadcast across Australia and were particularly popular in rural NSW.
Laws was said to be the world’s highest-paid radio broadcaster at one stage of his career, with 2UE management presenting him with a golden microphone.
Laws did not achieve his fame and success without controversy. In 1999, he was at the center of a cash-for-commentary scandal alongside fellow 2UE streamer Alan Jones. The pair were accused of accepting payments from companies in exchange for positive on-air reviews. Both denied any wrongdoing.
NSW premier Chris Minns said Laws was “an important figure on Australian radio whose voice has resonated across the country for more than seven decades.”
“Few broadcasters have left such a deep and lasting mark on Australian media,” Minns said in a statement on Sunday.
“On behalf of the NSW government, I offer my deepest condolences to John’s family, friends, colleagues and all those who listened, learned and were challenged by him.”
