John Laws, the golden voice who shaped Australian radio for more than seven decades, has died aged 90.
The man known affectionately as “Lawsie” and “the Golden Tonsils” passed away peacefully at his Woolloomooloo home on Sunday Nov 9, following a brief hospital stay last month. His death marks the end of an extraordinary era in Australian broadcasting, one that began in 1953 when a teenage Laws first stepped behind a microphone in Bendigo, and continued right through to his retirement last year after 71 years on air.
Tributes have poured in from across the country. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Laws as an “iconic voice and so much more”, while actor Russell Crowe remembered him as a “mischievous mate and a very good friend”.
Fellow broadcaster Ray Hadley said Laws had “revolutionised the talk radio industry”, and former colleague Mike Carlton simply wrote, “The king is dead”.
Laws’ unmistakable baritone, his sharp wit and his uncompromising style helped shape public debate and define the sound of Australian radio for generations. Despite controversies, including the high-profile “cash for comment” scandal, his influence and audience never waned.
Born in New Guinea in 1935 and raised in Sydney, Laws built a career that made him both feared and beloved, interviewing prime ministers, rock stars and ordinary Australians with equal candour. His sign-on – “Hello world” – became a national catchcry, and his sign-off – “Be kind to each other” – a reflection of the warmth behind the showmanship.
After a lifetime spent talking to Australia, John Laws has signed off one last time. He is survived by family, friends and the millions of listeners who grew up with his voice as part of their daily lives.
