John Laws, the legendary figure in Australian radio once dubbed “the broadcaster of the century” by a former prime minister, has passed away at the age of 90.

Known affectionately as “Lawsie” and with a voice famously dubbed “the Golden Tonsils,” his more than seven decades on air have left an indelible mark, prompting an outpouring of tributes from his peers in the radio industry.

Kyle Sandilands hailed Laws as “one of the true originals.”

“There was no mistaking him for anyone else,” the host of The Kyle and Jackie O Show shared on X.

“He spoke his mind without fear of offending, yet had the capacity for great empathy when it was needed,” Sandilands added.

“I’m devastated to have lost a mentor and a mate. Radio won’t be the same without him.”

Ray Hadley said Laws revolutionised the talk radio industry.

“In the latter years when he was at 2SM and tell me I was a copier… my reply was that if you were in the presence of someone who had perfected their craft, you’d be mad not to use some of that yourself,” he told the Daily Telegraph.

Laws was born on 8 August, 1935, in Wau, New Guinea, to Australian parents who owned a number of trade stores. 

He grew up in Sydney after being evacuated to Australia during World War II.

In 1953, at 18, Laws hitchhiked to central Victoria where he took a job as a general hand at local Bendigo radio station 3BO.

In 1956 he returned to the big smoke to work at Sydney station 2UE. He worked alongside the likes of the late Australian media icon Brian Henderson.

By 2007, a 71-year-old Laws retired from radio, ending his 55 year career. He returned to the airwaves in 2011.

In early February 2020 Laws farewelled his “Princess” and wife, Caroline, who lost her battle with cancer.

In 2021, 85-year-old Laws suffered a health scare after he was admitted to a Sydney hospital with an infection.

“I think it’s time for a rest, is what I think,” Laws announced on his 2SM radio show.

“I’ve done it for a very, very, very, very long time – 70 years, is it long enough? It’s long enough.”

At the time, Laws said his plans for retirement were to read more and travel.