News
- November 2007
Media
Man Australia wishes John Laws well with his retirement
The
Undisputed King of Radio, John Laws presents the morning
program on Sydney's 2UE, Brisbane's 4BC and networked
stations around Australia, weekdays from 9am-noon.
Making and breaking the rules, John brings a common
sense approach to the news of the day, speaking to
the people who matter - the newsmakers and you.
John's
influential relationship with his listeners is both
as friend, confidante and teacher. The influence was
recognised by former Prime Minister Paul Keating when
he said in an interview with The
Bulletin (July 1997) that, 'If you can educate
John Laws, you educate middle Australia'
John
Laws sees himself as entertainer and salesman. His
morning show delivers a mixture of both regular features
and the unpredictable to more than two million listeners
on around 70 stations including Brisbane's 4BC, and
his velvet voice is as well-known as his relationship
with the products he endorses. His live reads are
persuasive, educative, interesting - even witty -
and form an integral part of the morning show's structure.
Lawsie
might not always break the news, but he makes it funny.
With the show being broadcast across the country,
he canvasses a range of opinions unlike any other
radio program. He tries to take a lighter look at
politics where he can, while ensuring to keep the
politicians on their toes. He'll also keep you up
to date with anything that breaks during the show,
along with all the latest in sport. But best of all,
he talks to you on 13 13 32.
Born
in Wau, New Guinea, on August 8, 1935, John was educated
at Mosman Preparatory School and Knox Grammar School,
Sydney.
For
virtually all of the 45 years he has worked in radio,
John Laws has been the undisputed king of Australia's
talkback airwaves and has remained at the top of the
ratings - an achievement many say will never be obtained
again.
Since
his career began as an 18-year old announcer on 3BO
in Bendigo in 1953 - John Laws has won more radio
awards of excellence than any other Australian broadcaster.
They include a special award from the Federation
of Australian Radio Broadcasters for his broadcasting
excellence as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award
from the Producers and Directors
Guild of Australia.
John
Laws worked at several country radio stations prior
to joining 2UE in 1957, the first of four terms at
Sydney's top-rating radio station. It was the move
to 2UE which kick started his career.
When
his first stint at 2UE ended in 1959, Laws joined
2SM for a short period before moving to the Hunter
Valley where he bought a farm. For several years he
broadcast a syndicated Australia-wide program for
the Newcastle station 2KO. In 1962 he moved back to
Sydney where he joined 2GB. Two years later he rejoined
2UE and remained with the station for five years.
In 1969 he became a member of 2UW's line-up, an association
that lasted for a decade. 2UE lured him back in 1979,
this time for another five years. Then he switched
to 2GB again when the station made a highly publicized,
all out bid for his services. He returned to the 2UE
fold when the station was in No 8 position. Since
his return in 1988, he and the station have been consistently
at the top of the ratings ladder.
At
a glittering black-tie dinner celebrating John Laws'
40th anniversary in Australian radio, Prime Minister
Paul Keating handed him the ultimate compliment, hailing
him as 'the broadcaster of the
century'. 'You have re-written the rulebooks
of Australian broadcasting,' said the Prime Minister
in a glowing tribute. 'There is probably never going
to be another one like you. No one has done it like
you have.' Mr Keating continued: 'As a consequence,
I mean, if the measure of it (John Laws' success)
is ratings and salary, you're on top of the heap.
And, of course, that great voice. I mean one would
say God gave that to you. I'm sure you'd say you developed
- it's probably true on both accounts. At any rate,
it carries more authority than I think any other in
radio does.' On another occasion when explaining the
incredible influence John Laws wields on his radio
program Mr Keating noted: 'Forget the Press gallery
in Canberra. If you educate John Laws, you educate
Australia.'
The
Independent Monthly,
in a November 1994 story, described John Laws as a
'rare phenomenon, a voice of the masses'; 'one of
the prominent people who still speak for the working
and lower middle classes' and said he, more than any
other public figure, was 'in touch'. Wrote Editor
Michael Duffy, who admitted to growing up 'hating
John Laws': 'Today when I listen to him I am struck
by his ability as an entertainer and a communicator,
by the marvelous voice which manages to combine arrogance
and vigour with elements of conscious self-parody.'
He added: 'Laws is smart and has a sense of humour,
unlike some of his critics.'
John
Laws has also been extremely prominent in other areas
of the Australian media. He has hosted four national
television series, writes a column for Australia's
biggest selling newspaper Sydney's Sunday
Telegraph and has written several best-selling
books including The John Laws
Book of Irreverent Logic, published in 1994
which became Pan Macmillan's biggest seller for the
year. The following year, John released The
John Laws Book of Uncommon Sense. This also
raced to the top of the best selling lists. In 1996,
John released another book with Pan Macmillan, The
John Laws Barbecue Cookbook, which features
recipes submitted by his listeners and mates in the
restaurant industry. He has also released a video
entitled John Laws In One Lifetime,
a summary of life in Australian over the past 60 years.
In
1998, John Laws joined Australia's leading cable television
company, FOXTEL with
his own nightly talk show, LAWS. The program is produced
at FOXTEL's Sydney television studios and featured
interviews with leading national and international
celebrities, politicians and newsmakers and reached
2.5 million people.
John
Laws assistance to charities is continual, raising
money for and giving money to various institutions.
Twice the Queen has honoured him for his services
to broadcasting and charity. In 1974 he was awarded
the O.B.E. for his services to broadcasting and charity
and in 1978 he was honoured again by Her Majesty,
being awarded the C.B.E.
John
Laws is known for his passionate interest in motor
sports, motorcycling, writing, reading, tennis, rural
pursuits, photography, antique furniture, works of
art and sculpture, timepieces and first collector's
editions of books.
*The
founder and webmaster of this website (Media
Man Australia), Greg Tingle, would like to
publicity thank John Laws for his support and encouragement.
For
more information, visit www.johnlaws.com.au
, which was launched in March 2003.
Credit
and thanks to Southern Cross Broadcasting
and 2UE for the above profile
on John Laws.
Listen
to Lawsie and Tingle's go one on one
7th
September 2000
31st
July 2002
20th
February 2003
Media
Man Australia does not represent John Laws or
any 2UE announcers
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