Radio icon John Laws signs off after 70 unforgettable years behind the mic

Following an impressive 70 years on the air, radio icon John Laws has hung up his mic for the final time, telling loyal listeners that he will “really miss” them.

Laws announced he was stepping away from his celebrated radio career during his Tuesday, October 8 broadcast.

“I think it’s time for a rest,” he told listeners at the time.

“I’ve done it for a very, very, very, very long time. And I think that I’ll just call it a day, and call it a day pretty soon.

“I would have done it for 71 years, the first week of November will be 71 years since I started on radio.

“I don’t want to be greedy, I had a fantastic 71 years. Loved almost every minute of it.”

Laws’ final broadcast aired on Friday, November 8. As he prepared to sign off for the last time, he acknowledged the bittersweet moment, saying it was “sad to say goodbye.”

“I will really miss you,” he told loyal listeners.

“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.”

Following his last broadcast, Laws revealed to Confidential that while he was “a bit sad” to say goodbye he was feeling “okay”.

“It will probably catch up with me in the next day or two but I’ve got no right to complain at all,” he told the publication.

“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.”

Laws’ impressive career in radio began in 1953 at 3BO in Bendigo before several stints with rural radio stations. He joined 2UE in 1957, during which time he became one of the first Australian disc jockeys to play rock ‘n’ roll music.

Laws left 2UE in 1959 to run a farm in the Hunter Region. In 1962 he moved back to Sydney, where he returned to the airwaves with 2GB, remaining with the station for two years before he rejoined 2UE in 1964. His time with 2UE continued until 1969, at which point he was contracted to 2UW, where he worked for a decade.

He returned to 2UE in 1979 before making a move back to 2GB. He soon returned to 2UE once again when the station reached the number eight spot in the ratings.

After 55 years on air, Laws announced on June 25, 2007, that he would retire from radio at the end of the year.

However, Laws’ retirement was short lived. In August 2009, Laws revealed on Smooth FM that he was missing radio and that he was keen to return to the studio.

Laws’ management confirmed in November 2010 that he would be making his return to the airwaves with 2SM.