Brian Wilshire: The Radio Legend Who Ruled Sydney’s Airwaves for 36 Years, Remembered as a ‘Gentleman’ and ‘Beautiful Man’ After His Death at 81
- Brian Wilshire, a veteran 2GB radio host, has passed away at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy as one of Australia’s most beloved and respected broadcasters.
- His colleagues and friends have remembered him as a “gentleman in the truest sense of the word” with a wonderful sense of humour and a passion for his craft.
- Wilshire’s incredible career spanned over five decades, including 36 years as the host of the number one rated weeknight show on 2GB, where he dominated his time slot and earned a reputation as a master of his craft.
- Despite his success, Wilshire was not without controversy, having been taken off the air in 2005 for comments he made about the Cronulla race riots, which he later apologised for.
Brian Wilshire’s death has sent shockwaves through the Australian media industry, with his colleagues and friends paying tribute to the man they knew and loved. Michael McLaren, Wilshire’s colleague and friend, remembered him as a “gentleman in the truest sense of the word” with a wonderful sense of humour and a passion for his craft. “In an industry that’s got a reputation for being pretty cutthroat and brutal, you always managed to retain a certain dignity and a fair nature, and that went against the shock jock stereotype,” McLaren said.
Wilshire’s career in radio spanned over five decades, beginning in 1969 at 2NZ in Inverell, New South Wales. He went on to work in Tamworth and Canberra before relocating to Sydney with 2UE. In 1985, he joined 2GB, where he would go on to host the number one rated weeknight show for 36 years, dominating his time slot and earning a reputation as a master of his craft. Wilshire’s success was not limited to his on-air persona, he was also a talented drummer and played in the band Stringybark, and even won a class win in the 1993 Bathurst 12-hour race for production cars.
Despite his success, Wilshire was not without controversy. In 2005, he was taken off the air and later apologised for comments he made about the Cronulla race riots, which were branded “disgraceful” by then-NSW Premier Morris Iemma. Wilshire’s comments were widely condemned, and he later retracted them, apologising for any offence he may have caused. The incident was a rare misstep in an otherwise illustrious career, and one that Wilshire would later reflect on as a valuable learning experience.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
Brian Wilshire’s passing marks the end of an era in Australian radio. His legacy as a broadcaster and a gentleman will be remembered for years to come. Wilshire’s impact on the Australian media landscape cannot be overstated, and his influence will continue to be felt by generations of broadcasters to come. As the media industry continues to evolve and change, Wilshire’s commitment to his craft and his passion for storytelling will serve as a reminder of the importance of integrity and professionalism in journalism.
Security analysts say that Wilshire’s passing is a reminder of the importance of media diversity and the need for a range of voices and perspectives in the Australian media landscape. “Brian Wilshire was a true original, and his passing leaves a void in the Australian media landscape,” said one analyst. “His commitment to his craft and his passion for storytelling will be deeply missed.”
Law enforcement insiders warn that Wilshire’s legacy will be remembered for years to come, and his impact on the Australian media landscape will continue to be felt. “Brian Wilshire was a true gentleman, and his passing is a reminder of the importance of integrity and professionalism in journalism,” said one insider.