The Radio industry is mourning the death of former Program Manager and Presenter John Burnley who has passed away at the age of 78.
His wife Roz contacted Wayne Mac following John’s passing, requesting he pass the information on via the industry Facebook page The Radio Green Room, writing this tribute.
This evening Roz Burnley asked me to let everyone here in The Radio Green Room know that her beloved husband John passed away at 3:45 this afternoon aged 78.
John was recently admitted to the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane having spent the last few days in the magnificent care of the folk in the Wesley Palliative Care Unit. John hasn’t been well for some time having suffered at heart attack two years ago. Roz says he was at peace in his final hours. Those of us who either worked with John, knew him personally, or listened to him on air, hold him in high regard and will no doubt be saddened to hear of him ‘leaving the studio’ today.
Starting as a youngster with 7HT in his hometown of Hobart his on air career saw him at: 7HO, 7LA, 7EX, 2GB, 2UE, 2SM, 6KY, 6IX, 2CC, 4BK, 4BC, 4BH and Star FM. He also held Program Director positions with: 2SM, 6PM, 6PR, 6IX and 4BC. John possessed a rich, resonant voice which transcended formats. He could punch out the hits (in reverb!) on More Music 2SM and then lay it right back and pull a credible shift on Easy Listening 2CH which he did in the weeks after departing 2SM. He was also a dream to have in the production studio especially for straight reads and/or narrations.
I’m sure you’ll join with me in expressing your condolences and memories of John for Roz and their daughter Asha. BTW, today was John and Roz’s 40th wedding anniversary. Always a champion of timing out to news on 2SM, it seems like JB pulled it out of the bag one last time. Vale ol’ mate. You’ll be missed.
** About the autograph from John. At the age of 12 I met two men at the 2SM/MadMel Giant Stir in 1969 under the southern pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I asked them to sign my new autograph book. Both turned out to influence many of my generation of radio newcomers. The other man that day was Rod Muir.
Vale John Burnley.
JB was a fantastic radio mentor to a younger me, and as PD with 4BH in Ipswich he was always approachable and knowledgeable. And I'll also remember him working alone into the night, when 4BH moved to Stones Corner for a while. That velvety voice! All the best to Roz and the family..