Tributes are flowing for Australia’s “Golden Tonsils” John Laws, an influential talkback titan who resonated across national airwaves for more than 70 years.
A towering figure on Australian radio, John Laws died peacefully at home at age 90, his family said in a statement on Sunday.
Laws, a member of the Australian Media Hall of Fame, attracted two million listeners to his morning radio program at the height of his popularity.
His influence was immense, with former prime minister Paul Keating once saying, “if you could convince John Laws, you could convince Australia”.
Laws’ career was extraordinary, and few broadcasters have left such a deep and lasting mark on Australian media, NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
Born in New Guinea on August 8, 1935, Laws moved to Australia with his family as a schoolboy, launching his radio career in Bendigo in 1953.
He spent four separate stints at Sydney station 2UE after first joining the broadcaster in 1957, worked for 2GB, 2UW and 2SM and had short periods with Network Ten and Foxtel.
“His legacy lies not only in the thousands of hours on air, but in the connection he forged with millions of Australians. Vale John Laws,” Mr Minns said in a statement.
Former colleagues and friends have paid tribute to the man whose distinctive tone earned him the affectionate title “Golden Tonsils”, who died one year after hanging up his microphone.
Actor Russell Crowe, who was Laws’ neighbour for more than two decades, said he was a wise mentor, a mischievous mate and a very good friend.
“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 said on social media.
“He worked hard, played harder and loved completely. A legend, in the very best, most Australian, sense of the word. I loved him and I’ll never forget him. Vale John Laws.”
Laws pioneered a unique blend of entertainment, information and opinion, delivered with what became one of the most recognised voices in the country.
His shows were widely broadcast around Australia, reaching people through almost 100 stations, and he was particularly popular in rural NSW.
Laws was said to be the best-paid radio broadcaster in the world at one stage of his career, with 2UE management presenting him with a golden microphone.
Sydney radio broadcaster Ray Hadley described Laws as a “radio icon”.
“Those who follow him and drink from the well like I have in the past should remember the person who dug that well,” Mr Hadley said.
“And that well was dug by the great John laws, a true pioneer of Australian talkback radio.”
While fellow radio host Kyle Sandilands said Laws was “one of the true originals”.
“You could never mistake him for anyone else,” he said.
“He said what he thought, didn’t care who he offended, but could also show deep compassion when required.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Laws was 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 on social media.
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