Melbourne radio legend Phil Brady dies

Melbourne radio legend Phil Brady has died after a battle with cancer.

Brady, 85, was still appearing on 3AW’s Remember When on Sunday nights until announcing his retirement nine days ago.

Phil Brady hosted 3AW’s Nightline program for decades.

Station manager Stephen Beers announced Brady’s death to staff on Tuesday morning. 3AW Mornings host Tom Elliott announced the news on air.

“Philip had a short battle with cancer, however, his spirits were always high while going through treatment and still enjoying the company of friends and sharing many stories and laughs,” Beers said.

“Philip had an amazing career in both radio and television dating back to 1958 at GTV 9. His association with 3AW started in 1971 as a weekend disc jockey, however, he is mostly remembered for work with Bruce Mansfield on Remember When starting in 1990 and taking over the Nightline program in 1991.

“Phil teamed up with Simon Owens after Bruce passed away in 2016. He received many industry awards and his programs were always ratings winners over such a long time. Phil was a great friend to many, truly loving his work on air and helping so many listeners and colleagues with advice, companionship and friendship. Phil will be greatly missed by all at 3AW.”

Elliott told listeners that Brady had been aware he did not have long to live.

“I spoke to him last year and he said he was riddled with cancer and didn’t expect to last too long,” Elliott said.

“For me, this is not a surprise, but it is very sad because I don’t think we’ll see the likes of Philip Brady again. He could make people laugh, he could talk about things seriously if he had to, always had a smile on his face. I’m very sad he’s no longer with us.”

Brady’s Remember When co-host of 29 years, Simon Owens, choked up as he remembered Brady’s final months on air.

“I owe my entire career to him,” Owens told Elliott.

“His devotion to his audience is astonishing. He got his diagnosis on the 5th of December ... cancer of the pancreas which had metastasised to the liver, and he went downhill very quickly. He refused to let the audience know. In his words, ‘I’m here to entertain them, buddy, not to bring them down’.”

Owens hosted Remember When with Andrew McLaren on Sunday night after Brady’s retirement.

Listeners were also quick to pay tribute into Brady.

“As a kid, I remember some sleepless nights and tough times, listening to him and Bruce. They were absolute gentleman and an insight into another world,” listener Toby said.

Another listener, Joy, said: “I’ve been listening to the IMT [In Melbourne Tonight] show when telly first started in 1956, I know he was on in 1958 with Graham [Kennedy] and Bert [Newton], and what a terrific man he was.”

On retiring, Brady offered a humble reflection to 3AW on the longevity of his career.

“I’ve really got nothing to offer, I don’t sing, dance, tell jokes, I don’t entertain, I don’t know how I’ve gotten away with this! But I think the secret is ‘be yourself’, and if people accept that you’re not putting on an act, it’s easy and you just keep going on forever.”

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