Vale Bill Caralis: Tributes flow for Super Radio Network chairman after his sudden death

Tributes are pouring in for a widely-respected media titan following his sudden death.

Tributes are pouring in for radio legend Bill Caralis following his shock death last week, with friends and admirers remembering his pioneering spirit that would create a media empire from humble beginnings.

Mr Caralis, the founder and chairman of the 2SM Super Radio Network, died of a heart attack on Friday aged 81 after decades of building up a radio network that took in 42 stations across NSW and Queensland.

Toowoomba’s 4WK station, owned by Mr Caralis, paid tribute to the media titan, who rarely gave interviews, on Monday.

“Mr Caralis maintained a close connection with his staff and was deeply invested in his stations and the people that worked for him,” the station posted to its social media page.

“His love and passion for radio was inspirational and all of us here at 4WK will miss him greatly.”

Radio 2VM wrote: “We have been assured that it will be business as usual with all staff urged to continue in his loving memory. Rest easy Boss.”

Gavin Flanagan, the general manager at Wave FM 96.5, said he was “struggling” to how best to describe a “giant” of the industry.

“I’ve been in radio for almost 30 years and the vast majority of those years have been spent working for Bill Caralis,” he wrote to social media.

“I’m struggling for the right words to describe a giant of our industry who, despite his polarising nature, was always very good to me and my family.

Bill Caralis started off as a developer before moving into media in the 1980s. Picture: Supplied

“I’m very saddened by the news this morning of his passing.

“My deepest condolences to Pam, Despina, George, John and families, as well as the many incredibly loyal former colleagues of mine who have been by his side for many years.”

Mr Caralis lived in Tweed Heads on the northern NSW coast and passed away in hospital, The Daily Telegraph reports.

His move into radio began in 1982, according to a post from the Radioinfo.com.au website.

“His first purchase was 2RG Griffith, soon followed by stations in Dubbo, Parkes and Mudgee,” the post reads.

“Then came Lismore, Murwillumbah, Taree, Toowoomba, Gunnedah, Gympie, Tamworth, Armidale, Moree, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Orange.

“In 2000, he bought 2HD and NEWFM Newcastle from the NSW Labor Council and 2SM Sydney from INXS’s Chris Murphy.

“A new four-level facility at Pyrmont was built to house the 2SM Super Network.”

Legendary broadcaster John Laws joined 2SM in 2011.

Mr Caralis was the son of a Greek immigrant and started from humble beginnings.

His father George ran a green grocer shop in Sydney and Mr Caralis would deliver fruit and vegetables as a boy and young man.

A 2005 Australian Financial Review profile estimated his net worth at about $200m.

Originally published as Vale Bill Caralis: Tributes flow for Super Radio Network chairman after his sudden death