John Laws

Richard John Sinclair Laws, CBE (born 8 August 1935), also known as Lawsie, was from the 1970s until his retirement in 2007, the host of an Australian morning radio program combining music with interviews, opinion, live advertising readings and listener talkback. His distinctive voice earned him the nickname "the Golden Tonsils".

This article is about the Australian radio host. For the British Lord Justice of Appeal, see John Laws (judge).

John Laws
Born
Richard John Sinclair Laws

(1935-08-08) 8 August 1935
Wau, Territory of New Guinea
NationalityAustralian
OccupationRadio presenter
Years active1957–2007, 2011–present
Employer2UE (1957–59, 1964–69, 1979–85, 1988–2007)
2GB (1962–64, 1985–88)
2UW (1969–79)
Network Ten (1998)
Foxtel (1998–2000)
2SM (2011–present)
Spouse(s)Sonia Zlotkowski (1957-64)
Yvonne Helstrom-Roux (1965-74)
Caroline Laws (1976–2020) (Deceased)
Childrenfour sons, one daughter

Despite retiring in 2007, Laws' management confirmed in November 2010 that he would be returning to radio in February 2011, as the host of a morning programme on 2SM and the Super Radio Network.

Career

Laws' radio show was syndicated throughout Australia for many years and was consistently one of the most popular and influential programs in the Australian media. Laws is also a familiar voice for generations of Australians through his large and varied body of work as a voice-over artist for commercials, and as a celebrity endorser of commercial products, notably Valvoline motor oil, with his popular catchphrase "Valvoline, you know what I mean" and Oral-B toothbrushes (the slogan "Oral-B, the toothbrush more dentists use.")[1][2]

Laws was on Australian talk radio longer than any other broadcaster and as a result of his popularity, for many years he has been cited as Australia's highest-paid radio personality. Although he commented regularly on topical news, Laws did not consider himself a journalist, saying he considered himself foremost to be an entertainer and salesman. Laws had become one of the most influential media personalities in Australia over the last three decades, and one of the few commercial radio personalities whose interviews with state and federal political leaders are considered to have a significant influence of the course of politics in New South Wales especially, and Australia in general.

Biography

Born in Wau, Papua New Guinea to Australian parents, Laws contracted polio twice – once as a child, and again as a young man.[3]

Laws was educated at Mosman Preparatory School and Knox Grammar School in Sydney, Australia.[4] He began his radio career in 1953 at 3BO in Bendigo before working at several rural radio stations prior to joining 2UE in 1957, the first of four terms at that Sydney radio station, during which time Laws (along with Bob Rogers, Tony Withers and Stan Rofe) became prominent as one of the first Australian disc jockeys to play rock'n'roll music.[4][5] Laws is said to have pioneered the practice (soon taken up by Rofe) of using contacts in the airline industry to supply him with the latest pop releases from overseas, a facility which gave him an edge at a time when many pop records were not released in Australia until weeks or even months after being issued overseas.

Laws left 2UE two years later, and moved for a time to the Hunter Region, where he ran a farm. In 1962 he moved back to Sydney, where he joined 2GB, remaining with the station for two years before he rejoined 2UE in 1964. His stint at 2UE continued until 1969, at which point Laws joined 2UW's line-up and remained there for 10 years. He returned to 2UE in 1979, this time for another five years. He then moved to 2GB after a highly publicised bid for his services, but returned to the 2UE fold when the station was number eight in the ratings.[4] The return of Laws was the primary cause of the station then being number one in Sydney for many years. Laws' radio program was syndicated nationwide, with it especially popular in rural areas. Capital city stations taking Laws include 4BC in Brisbane, 2CC in Canberra, 101.7 HOFM in Hobart and Mix 1049 in Darwin.

1998 saw Laws make the move to television, with John Laws – In One Lifetime on Network Ten and LAWS on Foxtel.[6] While LAWS continued until 2000, John Laws – In One Lifetime was dropped after two episodes – although the remaining five episodes that were commissioned by Network 10 were aired later that year.[7][8]

However, his appeal began to wane. In 2002, station colleague and arch-rival Alan Jones moved from 2UE to 2GB, and soon took that station to the top talk position in Sydney.

Laws also has recorded numerous albums (mostly of Australian country music), and has written several best–selling books.[9]

Retirement announcement

After 55 years on air, Laws announced on 25 June 2007 that he would retire at the end of the year.[10] However, he was pre-empted by other media agencies, who broke the story at 9:00 am. Laws made the announcement at about 9:10 am, saying that he had planned to make the announcement at about 9:45 am.

Laws' last broadcast was on 30 November 2007, one week after the federal election. He began as always, "Hello world, I'm John Laws" and signed off with his usual quote, "you...be kind to each other."[11] He then left the 2UE building in Sydney in his distinctive Rolls Royce Phantom surrounded by hordes of cameramen.[12]

In August 2009, Laws revealed on Vega (now known as Smooth FM) that he missed radio and that he was interested in returning to the airwaves.[13] This was followed five months later by an announcement by Laws' manager, revealing that Laws had entered into negotiations with a number of radio stations, including 2SM.[14] Nevertheless, the suggestions that Laws would be returning from retirement in 2010 ended shortly thereafter, when 2UE management revealed that their contract with Laws precluded him from competing with their station until December 2010.[15]

Return to radio

Laws' management confirmed in November 2010 that he would be returning to radio, following the expiry of the no-compete clause that prevented him from signing with a new network.[16] He currently presents the John Laws Morning Show on 2SM and the Super Radio Network.[17]

Incidents

Cash for comment scandal

In 2004, both Laws and rival talk-back host Alan Jones (now at 2GB) were accused of cash for comment, after entering into deals with Telstra. The ABA subsequently found that Laws' deal constituted cash for comment but Jones' did not.

Laws, apparently angered by what he saw as inequitable treatment, launched stinging attacks on Jones and the ABA's head, David Flint. In an appearance on the ABC's Enough Rope, Laws accused Jones of placing pressure on Prime Minister John Howard to keep Flint as head of the ABA, made comments that many viewers took to imply a sexual relationship between Jones and Flint,[18] and broadly hinted that Jones, like Flint, was homosexual.

On 7 May 2009 Laws made a statement on the 20th anniversary special edition of the ABC's Media Watch program, in which he exhibited no remorse for his role in the Cash-for-Comment scandal, instead implying that the whistleblower (Media Watch) was the wrongdoer and that the people involved were only jealous of his success.[19]

Comments about homosexuals and Chinese drivers

In November 2004, Laws and 2UE colleague Steve Price were found guilty of vilifying homosexuals after an on-air discussion about a gay couple appearing in the reality TV show The Block. They described the gay couple as "young poofs".[20] Laws had previously apologised for another incident in which he called gay TV personality Carson Kressley, of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy fame, a "pillow-biter" and a "pompous little pansy prig".[21]

In August 2007, Laws was again embroiled in controversy after suggesting on-air that "Chinese drivers are probably the worst drivers on the face of the earth." He denied that he was a racist.[22]

Defamation lawsuit

In October 2007, West Coast Eagles player Adam Selwood commenced legal proceedings against Laws over comments made about him regarding a mid-year incident involving Fremantle Football Club player Des Headland.[23]

Incident with Derryn Hinch

In December 2007, during a long lunch at Sydney's Otto Ristorante to farewell his former personal assistant, he was informed of the presence of rival broadcasters Derryn Hinch and Bob Rogers at another table nearby. Laws went over to their table and immediately began to spout forth a tirade of invective, calling them 'the two most despicable cunts' he'd ever met in the industry. Hinch and Rogers traded insults with Laws, insisting Hinch was a 'hypocrite' and a 'failed alcoholic'. Hinch replied that that must mean Laws was a 'successful one' and that if Laws was not in fact an alcoholic then he was a 'bloody good actor'. Eventually 2UE colleague Mike Carlton convinced Laws to return to his table at the Otto and Hinch and Rogers were left to laugh off the altercation.[24]

Interviews with sexual abuse victims

On 19 March 2013 Laws interviewed a female listener, who described a history of sexual abuse between the ages of six and sixteen.[25] Laws proceeded to ask the woman if the abuse was in some way her fault and whether she had been provocative.[26] The following day Laws said on air that women who dressed provocatively were once viewed as "rape bait".[27]

In 2015, Laws referred to a male victim of child sexual assault as a "wet blanket" and told him to "brighten up".[28]

Cultural influence

In 1996 a portrait of John Laws by artist Paul Newton won the Packing Room award at the Archibald Prize. The portrait was hung in Laws' production office at 2UE.

Former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating called him the "broadcaster of the century" at Laws 40th anniversary dinner.[29] At the ARIA Music Awards of 2008 he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.[30][31]

He is mentioned in the song "Who Can Stand in the Way?" by Australian group Midnight Oil on their album Red Sails in the Sunset.

Golden microphone stolen

On 17 July 2007 the gold-plated microphone was stolen. The Sennheiser was presented to him by his radio station 2UE management in 2003 to commemorate his 50 years on the air and is said to be worth $10,000. "I'm very upset about it – it's been a part of my life" he told the Daily Telegraph.[32]

Laws subsequently switched to another gold plated microphone; a Rode NT2-A presented to him for his 40th anniversary and has promised charges will not be laid if the Sennheiser is returned.

Filmography
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References
  1. Plaskitt, Sarah (28 November 2003). "Dentist Rob us back in style for Oral-B". www.bandt.com.au. Reed Business Information. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  2. "Deals damage credibility". The Sunday Telegraph. News Limited. 11 January 2009. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
  3. "Memories of polio and those who wrestled with it". smh.com.au.
  4. Fife-Yeomans, Janet (26 June 2007). "Voice of the people signs off". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
  5. Elder, Bruce (5 July 2004). "Never mind the bollocks: here's the '50s". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia. p. 12.
  6. Steele, S (5 April 1998). "Defying all the laws of reason?". The Sunday Mail. News Limited. p. 4.
  7. "Flick for Big John". The Sunday Mail. News Limited. 15 March 1998. p. 26.
  8. Melloy, N (27 June 1998). "Weekend TV". The Courier-Mail. News Limited. p. 44.
  9. Day, Mark (26 June 2007). "Dream's (almost) over". The Australian. News Limited. p. 11.
  10. Cameron, Deborah (26 June 2007). "It's goodbye world from the Golden Tonsils". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media.
  11. Ramachandran, Arjun (30 November 2007). "John Laws starts final broadcast". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  12. Connolly, Helen (1 December 2007). "John Laws calls it a day". Herald Sun. News Limited. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  13. "John Laws: I'd like to return to radio (and Kyle's annoying and stupid)". mUmBRELLA. Focal Attractions. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
  14. "John Laws tipped to be back on air by next month". The Sunday Telegraph. News Limited. 3 January 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
  15. "No radio encore for John Laws just yet". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited. 12 January 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
  16. Washbrook, Cyril (12 November 2010). "John Laws returning to radio". The Spy Report. Media Spy. Archived from the original on 18 November 2010. Retrieved 12 November 2010.
  17. Dick, Tim (31 January 2011). "Golden tonsils returns". smh.com.au. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  18. Denton, Andrew (3 May 2004). "John Laws interview transcript". Enough Rope with Andrew Denton. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  19. "Media Watch 20th Anniversary". abc.net.au. 7 May 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  20. "Understanding vilification laws – Equal Time, November 2004". NSW Government. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  21. Hornery, Andrew; Malkin, Bonnie (4 November 2004). "Laws lets loose". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  22. Bachl, Matt (17 August 2007). "Laws roars one more slur for the road". Nine News. ninemsn Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007.
  23. Epstein, Jackie (21 October 2007). "Adam Selwood launches legal action". Herald Sun. News Limited.
  24. Connolly, Fiona (6 December 2007). "John Laws attacks Derryn Hinch at Sydney restaurant". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited.
  25. Sharp, Annette (21 March 2013). "John Laws asks victim on-air whether sexual assault was her own fault". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited.
  26. Hoh, Amanda (21 March 2013). "Laws stands by interview of sex abuse victim". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax.
  27. Hoh, Amanda (21 March 2013). "Laws stands by interview of sex abuse victim". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax.
  28. "John Laws calls male abuse victim a "wet blanket" as caller cries live on air". news.com.au. 20 March 2015.
  29. Hornery, Andrew (9 August 2005). "The call of Laws unto himself". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  30. "Winners by Year: 2008". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  31. "Winners by Award – Lifetime Achievement Awards". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  32. "John Laws's golden microphone stolen". Nine News. ninemsn Pty Ltd. 17 July 2007. Archived from the original on 20 August 2007.
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