John Laws reveals he doesn’t think about retirement as he notches up 70 years in radio

John Laws has revealed what he thinks about the mega pay deal Kyle and Jackie O have reportedly signed, as the veteran broadcaster achieves a major career milestone.

The best is yet to come for John Laws after 70 years on air.

The man known as ‘the Golden Tonsils’ has notched up seven decades in radio and at 88 says he has no intention of slowing down.

“It hasn’t happened yet,” Laws told The Daily Telegraph when asked his career highlight.

“I can’t imagine me ever retiring. I don’t think about retirement. I suppose I will have to one day but no, I don’t want to stop, I’d like to be doing it when I am 100.”

Laws scored his first on-air radio gig in 1953 at Bendigo station, 3BO, and four years later joined metro broadcaster, 2UE, where he became one of the first DJs to play rock ‘n’ roll music.

John Laws pictured at Woolloomooloo Wharf in Sydney is radio personality John Laws. Picture: Richard Dobson

He has throughout his career appeared on numerous television shows, released albums and appeared on the big screen.

“I am not doing much reflecting, it is my 70 years on air,” Laws said. “It is a lot of years talking, I could (talk under water).”

Singer Elton John with John Laws.

John Laws in the 1970s.

What does he make of his Golden Tonsils moniker?

“That is what they tell me. I don’t think there is anything particularly golden about my tonsils, they are just tonsils that work very hard and serve me very well. Thank you tonsils.”
Laws’ secret is simple.

“I’ll tell you what the secret is – enjoy it,” he said. “That is the secret, if you like doing it, you come back and do it again. It is very simple.”

While the veteran broadcaster for 2SM’s Super Radio Network has no intention of retiring, the moment he steps down from the mic will be a historical one.

“That will be a big moment for me because I’ve done this for so long and I like it so much that it will come as a great shock not to be able to sit behind a microphone and talk to people,” he said.

2UE veteran radio star, John Laws in the studio for the last time after broadcasting for more than 50-odd years. Picture: Sam Mooy

Singer Diana Ross with John Laws.

Laws recently took time off from work to recover from pneumonia. Now though, he says he is happy and healthy.

“I am fine, nothing wrong with me.”

Top Australian radio broadcasters Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson recently re-signed a reported $200 million contract to stay on with ARN Media station KIIS FM.

Laws has been a long-time supporter of the pair but questioned his own salary on that measure.

“I don’t necessarily believe it,” he said. “I am sure they are worth of it, I am very fond of them both. But if they are getting that sort of money, I will be complaining to somebody later in the day.”

Originally published as John Laws reveals he doesn’t think about retirement as he notches up 70 years in radio