The ‘golden tonsils’ John Laws dies, aged 90

Australian Community Media

The ‘broadcaster of the century' as he was dubbed by former prime minister Paul Keating, John 'Lawsie’ Laws spent 70 years on-air in a storied and often scandal ridden career. This video includes ACM-produced voiceover powered by AI.

Transcript

00:00Hello world, this is John Laws.

00:02Hello world, this is John Laws.

00:04Hello world, this is John Laws.

00:06Once known to listeners as the Golden Tonsils and the King of Radio,

00:11John Laws passed away at the age of 90.

00:14The broadcaster of the century, as he was dubbed by former Prime Minister Paul Keating,

00:19he spent 70 years on air in a storied and often scandal-ridden career.

00:24Yeah, I loved every minute.

00:25Born in New Guinea in 1935, Laws was evacuated to Sydney during World War II

00:31and at the age of 18, in 1953, he hitchhiked his way to central Victoria

00:36to begin his first job at local Bendigo radio station 3BO.

00:41Three years later, he returned to Sydney station 2UE.

00:45How fantastic to hear your voice.

00:47At the height of his career, Laws was caught in an alleged cash-for-comment scandal

00:51with an investigation finding he breached commercial broadcast codes

00:55He denied taking any secret payments, but in 2002, Laws once again found himself in trouble.

01:02This time, charged with contempt of court for interviewing a juror in a murder case.

01:07He was convicted and given a 15-month suspended sentence.

01:12In 2007, Laws announced he would be retiring from radio after shrinking ratings.

01:17After midday today, I can be anybody.

01:19I can be Judy Garland.

01:21But he was to don his signature gold-plated headphones once again,

01:26returning to radio in 2011.

01:29Finally, in 2024, after 71 years behind the microphone, Lawsy retired for good.

01:37The radio stalwart died at home in Woolloomooloo on November 8th, 2025.

01:44And all I can say is that I thank you for listening,

01:47and I hope you can be kind to each other.

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