Breakfast radio pioneer Gary O’Callaghan dies aged 83
Gary O’Callaghan, one of the pioneers of Australian radio, whose career spanned six decades, has died at the age of 83.
Gary O’Callaghan dominated breakfast radio in Sydney. Image courtesy of 2GB/Macquarie Radio
O’Callaghan became a fixture on Sydney radio station 2UE, broadcasting from 1956 through to 2003 when time was finally called on his award-winning and ratings-dominating career.
The broadcaster’s stint at 2UE was broken only briefly when he departed to 2KY for 18 months in the mid-1980s where he bolstered the station’s ratings and crippled those of 2UE, before returning to the station to continue his dominance.
I remember sitting at my grandmother’s breakfast table in Bankstown listening to him and Sammy Sparrow. My how the decades fly by. RIP Mr O’Callaghan x
So very kind. Thank you.
You have left us with beautiful memories. A gentleman to the very end. The world has lost a very special man. Thank you Sir.
Thank you. We miss him, too.
So sad to hear this , I was a school kid in the sixty’s and a mad rush to get to school with Sammy Sparrow in the back ground , Vale Garry O’Callagan.
Gary was No.1 and yet he was down to earth and charming. Everyone at 2UE will remember his modesty. It’s rare to be a ratings success in Sydney radio and have the respect of every single one of your colleagues. Thanks Gary.
We were never competitors he was always number one. In the 1980’s Ian McRae ex 2SM and myself ex 2UW all worked together in the 2UE building. I had the pleasure in 2004 of sitting in Gary and Dorothys lounge room and having a ton of laughs, I will miss you Gary You were always the winner, then you did have a 20 year start.
Malcolm T Elliott 2UW-2UE
Vale Gary O’Callaghan. Great is often a misused word but not for Gary.
And Malcolm, you still owe me that copy of Richard Clapton’s ‘Prussian Blue’ album from when you broadcast all day with your ‘occupation’ of the 2UW studios.
sad I missed that 2004 coffee. Would have been a hoot. Thanks, Malcolm…
A squadron of (retired) Qantas pilots will miss Gary’s breakfast sightings when he called them out by name as they came into to land at Mascot … fly well with Sammy
Commercial radio is a snarlier place these days. Apparently, the (smaller) audiences prefer that.
I was saddened to hear of Gary O’Callaghan’s passing.
Condolences to his wife Dorothy, his children, grandchildren and families.
My boys would never leave home to go to school until ‘Sammy Sparrow’ flew back to the Sydney Opera House (after getting clearance from Air Traffic Control).
My oldest son’s first job after leaving school, was a teller at the bank branch where Mr O’Callaghan did his banking transactions.
My son is now a Volunteer Community Radio broadcaster. Such was the influence Gary had on him.
RIP Gary – ON AIR in Heaven.
Thanks, Gloria, we wouldn’t leave home unless Sammy had visited, too. I actually thought everyone’s Dad spoke to them out of a radio at breakfast. Thank you.