Aussie radio legend dies age 72
Written by admin on July 13, 2024
Legendary Australian radio presenter and voice talent Ron E Sparks has died aged 72.
In a touching post his former WSFM colleagues Brendan “Jonesey” Jones and Amanda Keller revealed Mr Sparks’ passing on their official Instagram page.
“We are devastated to announce the heartbreaking news of the passing of former WSFM announcer Ron E Sparks. Vale,” they wrote.
Mr Sparks began his radio career on Sydney’s 2SM in the 1970s.
According to the website RadioInfo, he then moved to 2UW and then to 2Day FM and Triple M, while performing his voiceover work for programs like Wheel of Fortune and Hot Streak.
Mr Sparks also had run-ins with the now-high profile breakfast radio duo Kyle Sandilands and Jaqueline “Jackie O” Henderson while they were at 2Day FM.
In his memoir Mr Sandilands recalls an outburst he had over the pair’s smoking habits – specifically with the smell and milk bottles filled with used cigarette butts being left on the desk.
“With a permanent marker he wrote ‘Don’t f***ing smoke’ all over the studio walls, the equipment, the speakers and even the computer screens,” Mr Sandilands writes in the book.
“He then got the crusty milk bottles and sprayed the contents all over our offices.
“And, finally, for his piece de resistance, he dumped a mountain of ash and cigarette butts on the carpet outside our general manager’s office.”
Mr Sparks was immediately sacked afterwards, but was picked up by WSFM where he remained until his retirement in 2017.
Fellow 2UE presenter Trevor Sinclair took to X (formerly Twitter) with the post: “VALE Ron E: Stunned, absolutely stunned to hear of the death of Ron E Sparks. A legend of the airwaves.
He continued: “The man who took me 2SM to 2UW in 1979 where I remained (thru the conversion to MIX) for the following 21 years. Have a heavenly Maccas for me big fella.”
Broadcaster Wendy Harmer also expressed her sorrow at Mr Sparks’ passing.
“Always lovely, kind, encouraging and that VOICE! So many memories spent listening to him. A legend of radio broadcasting! Vale,” she wrote.
