Radio broadcaster shakes things up with surprise announcement

In an industry where voices come and go, one has resonated through the airwaves for approximately seven decades.

John Laws, a name synonymous with Australian radio, has decided to switch off the microphone and embrace the quieter side of life.

His retirement announcement surprised the nation, and listeners tuned in to what felt like the end of an era.


At the venerable age of 89, John Laws delivered the unexpected news to his loyal audience during his 2SM breakfast show.

It was a casual revelation prompted by a listener's email praising the enjoyment his show brought each morning.

'You're not going to be hearing it for long, mate,' Laws responded.


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Legendary broadcaster John Laws' retirement from radio has been announced. Credit: Sky News Australia / YouTube


'I think it's time for a rest.'

The broadcasting titan, affectionately known as 'the Golden Tonsils' for his rich, resonant voice, has been a fixture in the Australian media landscape since the 1950s.

His career, which spans an incredible 71 years, is a testament to his enduring appeal and the deep connection he has forged with generations of Australians.


Laws' decision to retire is a poignant moment for him and the countless listeners who have made his voice a part of their daily lives.

'I've done it for a very, very, very, very long time,' he mused on air.

'And I'll just call it a day and call it a day pretty soon.'

He indicated that he would likely bid his final goodbye at the beginning of November, marking his 71st year on air.

The announcement was all the more surprising given Laws' previous statements on retirement.

Just last year, he wanted to continue broadcasting even at 100.


'I don't think about retirement. I suppose I will have to one day, but no, I don't want to stop,' he said.

Clearly, the decision to retire was not made lightly, and he acknowledged his deep passion for his work.

Throughout his illustrious career, Laws has been more than just a voice on the radio; he's been a confidant, a provocateur, and a companion to the Australian public.

His influence was such that former Prime Minister Paul Keating dubbed him 'the broadcaster of the century.'

Laws' tenure at Sydney's 2UE is particularly notable, where he first appeared in 1957 and from where he broadcast for many years.

After a brief retirement in 2007, the lure of the microphone proved too firm, and Laws returned to the airwaves with 2SM in 2011.


But this time, he insists, retirement is for good.

'I'm not going to go away and then come back again and say, “Oh, it was all a mistake,”' he stated firmly.

'It may be a mistake, but there'll be no return. That's it.'
Key Takeaways
  • Legendary broadcaster John Laws has announced his retirement from radio.
  • Laws revealed his decision to leave on-air after 71 years in the industry during his 2SM breakfast show.
  • In his career, he became one of Australia's most successful and famous radio hosts, nicknamed 'the Golden Tonsils'.
  • Though previously resistant to retirement, Laws stated there would be no comeback after his departure.
How has his voice been a part of your life? What will you miss most about his broadcasts? Let's honour this radio icon together in the comments below.
 
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I know that John Laws is known for his no-nonsense attitude but I remember listening to him one morning about 50 years ago.

A caller indicated he was ending it all.

John was able to get a location and called Police, he told police he'd pay damage costs and to break the door down to get to this individual.

This memory has stayed with me. I consider it humanity in action.

Enjoy your retirement Mr Laws.
 
I haven't listened to Lawsy since his days at 4BC, fantastic man and I wish him well for his next journey.
 
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I know that John Laws is known for his no-nonsense attitude but I remember listening to him one morning about 50 years ago.

A caller indicated he was ending it all.

John was able to get a location and called Police, he told police he'd pay damage costs and to break the door down to get to this individual.

This memory has stayed with me. I consider it humanity in action.

Enjoy your retirement Mr Laws.
l remember that he stopped everything to try get help to this guy and talk him out of it.It went on for ages. John Laws was very good like that but he could also argue a lot and often switched people off when they were trying to get their point across.l hope he has a happy retirement.
 
About time he got of the airways, now we just need to get rid of some more of them. Most of the time it dribble they sprout of their own point of view anyway.

Give me a good plain music/ Local traffic & weather station any day.
 
I thought John Laws would die in the saddle - so to speak. Hope he survives the boredom of retirement as he has been a busy boy for so long. Thanks to John for the happy times you have given to all of us with your programme and especially enjoyed the arguments with the people who don't want anybody else's opinions.
 
I first heard John Laws when I arrived in Australia for the first time in 1963 - when he was broadcasting on Radio 2 UE. We subsequently returned to UK which made me very sad. I was finally able to return to Australia in 2017 and it was good to hear his voice again,
 
Who here remembers Lawsy's catch phrase 'Bang the bonnet of discontent"
He likened that to Old People who don't like to be rushed walking across the road and someone blowing the car horn to hurry up and the Old Person bangs the car bonnet with their walking stick to say 'stuff you'
 
One of my favourite experiences, listening to John Laws!
Thank you for your advice over the years to so many folk
who were all the richer in the common sense department … me included!
🦘🤗🦘
 
I think that I have listened to John Laws since day one in 1957.That is give or take a year or two when I was overseas.Good luck to him for being such a wonderful entertainer!
My very best wishes
 
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Never listened to him I hate talk back radio but enjoy your retirement mate 😊
 
There go the Rav 4 sales....LOL
Hi Mikeyboy2012,
Can you remember the brand of bourbon he'd give away at times during his morning programme.

For the love of me, my old grey matter just can't recall it. So, there'll be no more free promos for it as well. Their sales will, if not already, plumet.

When "JL" hangs up his "Golden Tonsils", who will inherit his "Golden Mike" ?

No more free promos for his fave., restaurant, "Ottos" down on the finger wharves at Woolloomooloo in Sydney. They'll go broke as well. They must've saved a proverbial "$T" in "Free" advertising the way he spruiked about it all of the time in how he was always going to have his lunch there, especially with his "Princess".

No doubt, I reckon his "Lobby" meals were at a very good discount for the "Freebies" he gave on air. All "Unintentially", of course.
 
I first heard John Laws when I arrived in Australia for the first time in 1963 - when he was broadcasting on Radio 2 UE. We subsequently returned to UK which made me very sad. I was finally able to return to Australia in 2017 and it was good to hear his voice again,
So did I. I started listening to him around about that time too but sadly, ever since he started getting calls from Phone Box Luke a "brainwashed Socialist" (I would never know how a person in today's ways of living would use a phone booth to ring up if not only for not divulging his whereabout. When you ring from a Phone-box no one will ever know, nor being able to, to track you where you actually are) and even supporting him.
And then he started pushing his own political ideas and agendas, something which he never ever did before.
I sent at least 6 or 7 text messages to him but he never red them.
And when he said that he was having an interview with Albanese I was so eager to listen to it that I cancelled an appointment only to show a real disappointment when, all he did, was talking about ALBO's life and his fiancee and about his weddings.
That was enough and, ever since that last text message I sent to him, I switched the radio station to somewhere else.
Sad as it is, ever since that time that somehow the broadcasting was suddenly stopped and it took him a very long time to come back to air, IMO he was never the same man.
SORRY BUT THAT'S ME, AS I WILL ALWAYS CALL A SPADE A SPADE.
 
About time he got of the airways, now we just need to get rid of some more of them. Most of the time it dribble they sprout of their own point of view anyway.

Give me a good plain music/ Local traffic & weather station any day.
Then go and listen to another radio station.....Many people love talkback radio and John Laws was the best.l know he did retire a few years back and returned,but this time l think that the man with the golden microphone has finally given it all away....he has earned his final years of doing what he wants,when he wants.....sad to see him go though.
 

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