Sydney radio icon John Laws dies, aged 90, one year after hanging up the microphone
After a career spanning more than seven decades, Sydney radio icon John Laws has died, aged 90.
Sydney radio legend John Laws has died, aged 90.
Laws was an icon of the airwaves, most notably at Sydney stations 2UE and 2GB, with his on-air career of more than seven decades only coming to an end when he hung up his headphones last year.
Recognised as Australia’s most powerful talkback host, Laws became affectionately known over the years as ‘Golden Tonsils’.
“Today marks a very difficult day for our family, with the news that our beloved father/grandfather/uncle John Laws has died peacefully at home,” a statement from Laws’ family read.
“While fame and prominence had become a mainstay of his life, for us he was always the person who meant so much, away from the microphone, the cameras, and the headlines.
“It is comforting to know that John’s was a life lived well – he had remained in good health, and even better spirits, right up until the last few weeks.”
Laws family thanked those that had already reached out “because we know that we shared the man, known simply as Lawsie, with so many of you”.
“The family will be making no other comment at this time, and we appreciate your respect for, and understanding of, our privacy.”
Laws’ beloved wife of 44 years Caroline died in 2020.
He called her his “princess” and together they became one of Sydney’s most iconic couples.
They had known each other since they were children and on the day they tied the knot in the side chapel at All Saints Church in Woollahra in 1976, he said: “I loved her the moment I saw her”.
Laws is understood to have been in palliative care over recent weeks, before sources confirmed he passed away early on Sunday morning.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement on Sunday night calling Laws an “iconic voice and so much more”.
“Generations of Australians trusted and respected him for telling it straight, digging deep and giving his guests and his listeners a chance to be heard,” Mr Albanese said.
“John was always a thoroughly prepared and thoughtful interviewer - and wonderful company off-air.
“My condolences to his loved ones and to all who benefited from his wisdom and guidance.”
For years Laws lived in a stunning apartment at Sydney’s Finger Wharf, and would lunch regularly at OTTO Ristorante, where his favourite wine was kept cold in stock.
His neighbour for many years was Hollywood star Russell Crowe, who told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday night he considered the broadcaster a “very good friend”.
“John Laws was my neighbour for 23 years. He was a wise mentor, a mischievous mate and a very good friend,” Crowe said.
“I am deeply saddened by his passing, however, I am buoyed in the sure and certain knowledge that he led a magnificent life of achievement and adventure, and he lived every moment.
“He worked hard, played harder and loved completely. A legend, in the very best, most Australian, sense of the word.”
Crowe said he “loved him” and would “never forget him”.
NSW Premier Chris Minns praised the “extraordinary” career of Laws, which began on 3BO in Bendigo, Victoria, in 1953 before he made his way to the Harbour City.
“It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of John Laws, a towering figure in Australian radio whose voice resonated across the nation for more than seven decades,” he said.
“Few broadcasters have left such a deep and lasting mark on Australian media. On behalf of the NSW Government, I extend my deepest condolences to John’s family, friends, colleagues and all who listened, learned and were challenged by him.
“His legacy lies not only in the thousands of hours on air, but in the connection he forged with millions of Australians, and the mark he left on broadcasting in this country.
“Vale John Laws.”
Fellow radio heavyweights told how they adored listening to Laws, before eventually themselves becoming his rivals.
“In my younger years I was a listener, and then an understudy for 10 years and a rival for another 15,” Ray Hadley told The Telegraph.
“I am not saying it in light of his death, I regard him as the greatest radio broadcaster Australia has ever produced.
“He revolutionised the talk industry, he used to call me in the latter years when he was at 2SM and tell me I was a copier … my reply was that if you were in the presence of someone who had perfected their craft, you’d be mad not to use some of that yourself.”
2GB Breakfast host Ben Fordham said: “John Laws was the king of radio.”
“The golden tonsils behind the golden microphone. He was a master communicator and a magical broadcaster. He had a special connection with the average Aussie and everyone felt like they knew Lawsie. He was so much fun. I’m going to miss him.”
Sydney radio superstars Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson also paid tribute, separately telling of their fondness for the broadcaster who paved the way.
“John Laws was one of the true originals. You could never mistake him for anyone else. He said what he thought, didn’t care who he offended, but could also show deep compassion when required,” Sandilands said.
“I’m devastated to have lost a mentor and a mate. Radio won’t be the same without him.”
Henderson said: “I’m so sad to hear about the passing of John Laws. I had the pleasure of knowing him and having him on our show many times over the years and he was always such a joy to chat to.”
“He gave us plenty of laughs and had that unmistakable charm that only John had. I had so much respect for his passion and longevity, radio truly was his life and blood. He’ll be so deeply missed.”
Laws’ death comes almost exactly a year to the day since he retired from his last radio gig at 2SM, surrounded by family and friends, as he said it was “hard to comprehend” the outpouring of love and support as he bid his listeners farewell.
“I really will miss you,” he said.
“And I will miss all of the memories that have gone before me in all of these years, it has been a long time.
“I have no reason to complain. It is obviously sad to say goodbye, and I am obviously sad to have to say goodbye.”
Laws closed the show by playing Roger Miller’s ‘Less Of Me’, as he had done for many years.
Later, sipping a bourbon and Coke, he reflected with The Daily Telegraph on his final show.
“I feel a bit sad but I feel okay,” he said.
“It will probably catch up with me in the next day or two but I’ve got no right to complain at all, I’ve had a terrific life and I’ve had a terrific career and I’ve got a terrific family. So I am okay but it is the end.”
With that final moment, Laws brought to an end an era of radio in Australia.
“I will miss the attention because I am very much a spoilt child and I like a bit of attention so maybe we could organise to … once a month just send a bunch of people in to just talk to me, can we do that?”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and then Opposition Leader Peter Dutton were among those to offer their wishes on Laws’ final show.
Laws scored his first on-air gig in 1953 at Bendigo station, 3BO. Four years later, he joined metro broadcaster 2UE.
There, he became one of the first DJs to play rock ‘n’ roll music, and rose to become one of the country’s most powerful talkback radio hosts – and one of Australia’s highest-paid radio personalities.
He stepped away from radio for four years from 2007, before returning to his job at 2SM and the Super Radio Network.
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Originally published as Sydney radio icon John Laws dies, aged 90, one year after hanging up the microphone
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