Farewell, Lawsie!

'Tis a sad day in radio today. John Laws, the man with the Golden Microphone...the man of the "golden tonsils" announced his retirement after more than fifty years in the broadcasting industry.

I will miss you, Lawsie. Your dulcet tones, irreverent logic, music choices, humour, wisdoms and, at times, acerbic wit no longer coming across the air waves is a scenario difficult to believe. I feel like I'm loosing an old friend.

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.

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.

Thank you for the years of pleasure you have given, Lawsie. Your leaving is the end of a "Golden Era" Thank you for the laughs, the music and thank you for sharing your golden tones with us all. Bye! Bye! John Laws.