Stan Zemanek talks to radioinfo about life after night time radio

Stan Zemanek will not be heard on 2UE nights ever again when he finishes his final shift tomorrow evening, but he won’t quit broadcasting altogether if he can help it. In an interview this week with radioinfo, Zemanek says he is hoping for guest presenting spots from time to time, health permitting, and is writing a book about the radio industry. 2UE General Manager Simon Ruhfus says a big show is planned for tomorrow night to pay tribute to Zemanek and the contribution he has made to Southern Cross Broadcasting over many years. Listen to the promo in the link at the bottom of this story.

Zemanek achieved huge success on air in the ‘80s and ‘90s in Sydney and Brisbane, eventually being networked to other states. His show has become “the most successful networked night time program since the days of Jack Davy and Bob Dyer.”

He left 2UE to do mornings on 2GB, returning to Southern Cross in 2002 to host 3AW’s Melbourne drive program. He returned to 2UE in 2003. As well as radio, Zemanek has hosted 975 editions of the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ tv show and has his own advertising agency, ‘Metro Media.’

Ruhfus describes Zemanek as “a legend,” saying he has been one of the company’s great talents. Ruhfus has told radioinfo he has not decided on a replacement for Zemanek as yet because management is considering a number of options, but denies he has been talking to Brian Wilshire as rumoured among radio industry circles this week.

In his last interview as a night time radio presenter, Stan Zemanek answers radioinfo’s questions about his illness and his future:

radioinfo: You are facing a life threatening illness. How are you going with it at the moment, is it getting better or worse?

Zemanek: I’m going very well, considering the doctors only gave me a few months to live 6 months ago. Yes, I’m getting better but I’m nowhere near being out of the woods as yet. I’m still taking chemo tablets every day and I have an infusion every second week. Hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel.

radioinfo: After all these years you will now be hanging up the microphone. Can you give a perspective on your years on air. Has it been worth it?

Zemanek: Yes, it’s been worth it. I’ve had a fantastic time. I’m one of the few broadcasters who has been able to do creatively what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. I won’t be hanging up the microphone completely, but I won’t be doing night time radio any more and am looking forward to the occasional fill-in jobs at whatever radio station wants me.

radioinfo: Have you made a difference to your listeners?

Zemanek: Yes, I’ve made a difference to my listeners. They are far better informed and educated and they are certainly more aware of what goes on in the world today. They are also far better entertained than any others in radio land.

radioinfo: What are your most memorable moments?

Zemanek: I guess I would have to say that broadcasting the 1983 America’s Cup when Australia II crossed the finishing line in first place. That put my name on the map and catapulted me into public prominence. I guess the other memorable moment was being the only commercial radio broadcaster to be No. 1 in three metropolitan cities: 22.6% Sydney; 22% Brisbane and 14% Melbourne. No other broadcaster on commercial radio has ever achieved those figures in three major markets.

radioinfo: How did you make your start in radio?

Zemanek: Initially, I was in the United States working as a writer and researcher, then when I arrived home in the mid 70’s I started as Bob Rogers’ ghost writer and researcher for John Laws, then John Laws’ producer, followed by producer of Alan Jones. I’m the only broadcaster to ever produce three of the biggest names on Australian radio.

radioinfo: Who helped you most in your career and how?

Zemanek: Without doubt it was John Brennan the program director at 2UE. He was the greatest influence and mentor of my radio career. If it wasn’t for him, through those early days, then I wouldn’t have had this success which I’ve had over the last 20 years.

radioinfo: Have the last six months been hard, on and off air?

Zemanek: On the air it’s been reasonably easy because it’s been a lot of fun. Off air it’s been very difficult and very hard especially taking all the pills and medication that’s required on a daily basis. Somehow I’ve got through it because I have a very positive attitude and have a lot of strong support from my family. I also have a lot of other distractions to keep my mind off things.

radioinfo: What are the best and worst things about the radio industry in Australia at the moment?

Zemanek: I’m going to write a book about the best and worst things about the radio industry and I’m sure you’ll love reading it.

radioinfo: Who would you like to see replace you?

Zemanek: There is nobody who could ever replace me. They should concentrate on their own personality and not try and copy me.

radioinfo: As you retire from the airwaves, do you have any final comments or thank yous to colleagues in the industry?

Zemanek: Firstly, I’m not retiring from the airwaves and never will. I won’t be doing night times ever again. Do I need to thank anybody? I’ve already thanked all those people who need to be thanked and they don’t need any public adulation from me.

radioinfo: What are your plans and dreams for the next stage of your life?

Zemanek: I’ve got plenty of plans, plenty of dreams, plenty of aspirations and you can rest assured that I will not disappear from the scene.

Currently, I’m in the process of putting together a movie production of a book called “Damage Done” written by Warren Fellows and I’m sure this will be a blockbuster with the right Australian actors. Hopefully, that will go into production some time in 2007. I’m also writing a book which will be released around November 2007 and I’m also in the process of fulfilling my passion to paint abstract art which I’m sure many of my listeners will be eager to see.

Simon Ruhfus has told radioinfo tomorrow night’s last program will be “quite a show,” with people from many years of Zemanek shows scheduled to make an appearance. Click on the ‘related site’ link below to hear Blake Gibson’s promo for the last show.