People you meet along the way - EP22 - The golden microphone - John Laws

Terry Gallaway shares the biography of broadcaster John Laws, focusing on his journey through the competitive radio landscape. The story highlights his transition from disc jockey to a sought-after morning host, the rivalry between radio stations 2GB and 2SM, and his respect for reporters. It also showcases his professionalism through a touching story of helping a police officer and includes a memorable Christmas gift, a ceramic model Ford Thunderbird.

Transcript

1:28

During a recent short stay in the Pian Hospital, my wife Carl picked up a donated copy of journalist John Lyons excellent biography of broadcaster John Laws written some years ago, 1991. It traces the rise of laws to his legend sous during probably the most competitive times in the radio history with two CH two UW two SM two KY two BL two UEN two GB battling for the key breakfast morning afternoons and drive ratings votings. Hello world. This is John Laws. I had the pleasure of working at UE in 1981 with Gary O. Callahan for breakfast and Laura's gravitation from his first two UE role as a rock and roll top 40 disc jockey to the coveted morning slot.

9: 2:34

00 AM to noon, and again in 1983 at two GD with Mike Colton in the breakfast studio, followed by laws at nine. What's on your mind? Australia, tell us by darling. 13. 1332 or faxes if you'd like to. John Tingle at 1230 after the 30 minute midday news bulletins on two UE and two GBI worked police courts and crime rounds in our cutthroat atmosphere as CHUE. GV and SM fought for the top spot. John appreciated deeply any extra you threw in to give him the jump on any story and was very derive of reporters. Hor tried to get a free plug from him for one of their beat up. I could not admire him more for his professionalism, dedication, and generosity. On one occasion in a very hot summer, a serving police officer told me of his wife's discomfort after cancer surgery because he could not afford to get an air conditioner laws. He overheard me talking to the copper, get his address. John said to me, within 24 hours an air conditioner was installed in the copper's house at no charge. A favorite reminder of John Laws I have is a ceramic model Ford Thunderbird, filled with Jim Beam Bourbon that John sent Pam Stanley running down Miller Street at North Sydney to make sure I received his Christmas gift in 1981. As always, there's more to come in the radio day stories with much more to come in my recollections of the one and only John Laws.