By Jordan Baker
Ray Hadley, Sydney’s longest-surviving shock jock, is best known for his stridently delivered opinions, ability to strike fear into politicians’ hearts and scathing criticism of those he considers “dopes”.
But during his final broadcast on Friday, Sydney saw a softer side to a man who’s been unafraid to wield a microphone like a sword for 40 years. He’s “Poppy” to his grandchildren, who were in the studio; he was “Hadley Boy” to the boss who gave him a shot at a radio career; and at 70, he’s still a lad who loves his mum.
His composure cracked when he heard his late mother’s voice on air. “Very emotional,” he said, wiping away tears. It cracked again when he thanked his wife, Sophie Baird. And it shook when he read out a text message from his first wife, Anne Marie. “As the father of our two wonderful children … you have not only been a pillar in their lives but an inspiration to us all,” she wrote.
Hadley’s departure from 2GB is one of a slew of high-profile exits from Australian radio this year.
Some were voluntary – John Laws bowed out after 70 years, the ABC’s Richard Glover after 28, and Radio National’s Phillip Adams after almost 50. On Friday, Michael Rowland also wrapped up nearly 15 years as a host of ABC News Breakfast. Some departures were controversial – Sarah Macdonald and Simon Marnie were axed from ABC Radio Sydney, prompting fury from listeners.
Macdonald called in to the ABC Mornings program on Friday, from which she has been absent in recent weeks.
“I had to retreat from the intensity of it all,” she said. “I’ve really felt the love, but I needed to find my peace and my strength. I just didn’t feel I could deliver a show that the listeners deserve and expect.”
But of all those departing, Hadley has been the most powerful. His influence on politics, state and federal, has been long and significant. He has been courted by politicians across the political spectrum, who feel they can’t afford to get on his bad side.
“Hadley won’t like this,” elected ministers of the crown said about any proposed policy they thought the morning show presenter would target. Hadley has been particularly passionate about issues involving NSW Police, the courts and NSW Corrective Services.
NSW Premier Chris Minns was one of many lining up to farewell Hadley on Friday, revealing he gave the presenter his personal mobile number and sought his advice before becoming Labor leader.
“I remember pacing in the back of my yard, and I asked you ‘well, you’ve interviewed all of them, what’s your view? How do I do this?’
“Your advice was ‘confront it head on – go straight towards the storm’.”
While many people thought Hadley’s sympathies leaned against Labor, Minns recalled: “You said, ‘If you come on my program I’ll give you a go every day of the week’.”
The program featured one-time 2UE news director Mark Collier, who hailed a taxi one night after work and found it was driven by Hadley, a part-time greyhound and horse race caller who wanted a start in radio.
Collier gave Hadley his card, which led to his first job as a traffic reporter. Collier reflected on that cab ride. “I wish you had looked at the road rather than turning around and looking at me,” he joked.
Hadley surrounded by some of his grandchildren on his final day.Credit: Janie Barrett
Racing NSW chief and Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys, who Hadley has known since the 1990s, also came to the studio.
“You’re a can-do person,” V’landys said. “If I knew I wanted something to be done, you were the first person I’d call. Indirectly, all the successes I’ve had in rugby league and racing have had a lot to do with you.”
Hadley will be replaced on 2GB by Mark Levy. The station is owned by Nine Entertainment, which also owns this masthead. Following his broadcast, fellow 2GB presenter Chris O’Keefe announced his own sudden departure to start his own political and media advocacy business.
Former Hadley staffers from over decades lined the corridor outside his studio in the final hour.
Hadley’s grandchildren told him they loved him. One called him “bro”. Another handed him a note, which he read on air. “Sorry everyone, Poppy won’t be here,” it read. “He’s taking us to Disneyland”. One then admitted, “Dad told me to say it.”
The presenter’s voice cracked again as his producers thanked him on behalf of all those who’d worked with him.
Although he had a reputation as a straight-shooter, on and off-air, he said he hoped it was for the right reasons.
“An admission that I’ve tried the patience of many people at varying stages during my career,” he said. “I’d like to think over a period of time, I’ve done plenty of good and I’ve probably done some harm as well. The harm is outweighed by the good, I think.
“It’s been a wonderful ride. Bye-bye and God bless you all.”
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