‘Rockstar’ radio producer Yusuke Aso retires after 38-year career with ABC Radio
It’s not every day that Paul Keating calls you for dinner, but for Yusuke Aso, it was just Wednesday.
The veteran radio producer will retire next week after a 38-year career, but he hasn’t forgotten that extraordinary phone call 20 years ago.
He told the former prime minister to speak on 702 ABC Sydney radio in 2006 about his appointment to a panel to design Barangaroo.
Meanwhile, he had transformed the leader of his former federal party into Kevin Rudd, a relatively unknown Queensland MP.
702 ABC Sydney producer Yusuke Aso and host Peter Luck. (Provided)
While Yusuke is sitting with his young children, the phone starts ringing. Yusuke remembers the conversation:
“Is this Yusuke Aso?”
“Yes like that.”
“I’m Paul Keating, Yusuke. This Trioli girl isn’t going to ask me about Labor Party stuff, is she?”
Yusuke says he hasn’t received a night call from a former prime minister since.
Since he’s an early morning radio producer, he’s often the one making the call at odd hours.
Yusuke started his career at ABC on 2BL at Forbes Street in Kings Cross. (Provided)
For almost four decades, he’s been calling into the wee hours to persuade Sydney’s movers and shakers to come on air to discuss the day’s stories.
During his career at ABC Sydney local radio, formerly known as 2BL, he learned that he could call anyone on any story about the port city.
“He knew who to call and how early he could wake them up without cursing at them.”
former 702 ABC Sydney presenter Sarah Macdonald said.
Now, after a long career of phone conversations with politicians, sports stars, musicians and academics, Yusuke turns off his headphones.
The master producer saw the end of using tape for broadcast audio. (Provided)
A contact list that needs two phones
Yusuke began his Sydney community radio career at the ABC in 1988, producing Bob Hudson’s nightly radio show when their radio studio was in the basement on Forbes Street in Kings Cross.
He found his way to morning radio in 1990 while producing for the late Andrew Olle; Approximately 36 years remained in this period.
It has produced more than a dozen presenters, including Phillip Clark, Angela Catterns, Sally Loane, Virginia Trioli, Deborah Cameron, Linda Mottram, Wendy Harmer, Robbie Buck, James Valentine, Cassie McCullagh, Sarah Macdonald and currently Hamish Macdonald.
Yusuke Aso will leave the ABC after 38 years producing radio programs for ABC local radio in Sydney. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
Over the years he built up a very extensive contact book, numbering 40,000 entries. He remembers the time his iPhone saved more contacts than it could handle.
“I didn’t know there was a ceiling to exceed, but apparently the maximum ceiling the iPhone’s phone app could actually store was 25,000,” Yusuke told 702 ABC Sydney.
702 ABC Sydney Mornings presenter Hamish Macdonald describes him as “an absolute rock star” whose contact guide is like “he has the keys to the world of radio”.
Yusuke’s contact list became legendary among Sydney radio producers. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
“There is rarely a contact he hasn’t had, and his joy and enthusiasm for hosting the best possible guest is unmatched,” Macdonald said.
Macdonald paid tribute to Yusuke as a colleague and friend who was a master of what Yusuke called “streaming radio.”
“Rather than just going through a day-to-day summary, he wants the listener to feel a sense of flow between all the topics and highlights so it feels organic and comfortable,” Macdonald said.
“It’s a craft he’s honed over decades of knowing the audience.“
This comprehensive communications book has been the secret weapon of ABC Sydney radio presenters for decades. Angela Catterns, who produced the breakfast show from 2000 to 2003, said Yusuke could always “smell out” the best stories.
“Anytime I host a radio show produced by Yusuke, I know I’m in good hands,” Catterns said.
Almost every presenter agrees with Catterns’ assessment.
“He is hard-working, hard-working and knows where all the bodies are buried,” said presenter Robbie Buck, with whom Yusuke worked between 2018 and 2021.
Yusuke first produced radio for ABC Sydney local radio in 1988. (ABC News: Declan Bowring)
A young man who loves Australia
Former 2BL station manager Peter Wall remembers hiring Yusuke long before he gained fame as a storyteller.
He remembers Yusuke, who came to Australia from Japan in 1985, as “a young Japanese man who loved Australia”.
At the end of this job interview, she remembers Yusuke saying the phrase “that apple”, but Yusuke remembers her saying “it’s as good as gold”.
“I thought what a wonderful thing it was to come from a guy who hasn’t been around that long but has embraced the dictionary.”
Mr. Wall said.
Yusuke recalls that the biggest difference about coming to Australia was that it was more open and welcoming to women and gays.
“There was a large percentage of women who didn’t wear uniforms and just served tea to male office workers, because this is a corporate environment I just came from,” Yusuke said. he said.
Colleagues said Yusuke was a master of “streaming radio”. (Provided)
“I’ve never met so many openly gay men in my life before, and it was a real eye-opener for me.”
In addition to his deep knowledge of news and extensive connections, Yusuke also became known for his personal vest style and love of music.
He plans to continue his occasional translation work, but also hopes to spend more time being a different kind of rock star at home with his collection of rock music after he airs his latest show.
“I’m leaving here with a pretty deep sense of accomplishment,” Yusuke said.
“I never thought I’d be in a place like this, doing things like this. And I feel so humbled and honored and proud to serve and play a role in this type of organization.”
