Melbourne broadcaster Kevin John dies at 66

The Australian radio industry is mourning the loss of former 3AW host Kevin John.

In a tribute on the 3AW website, it was revealed that John died in his hometown of Wonthaggi, the same town where he was born.

John first moved to Melbourne in 1975, and was discovered by Lee Murray spruiking in a department store.

He went on to work at 3HA Hamilton and 3TA Sale, before jobs at 3KZ, 3MP, and 3UZ followed.

In the ’80s he moved to Monte Carlo and worked at Riviera 104, before returning to Melbourne for 3TT.

After then working at 3AW and Magic for a few years casually, he stepped in alongside Anne Gilding and later Jane Holmes on Magic 1278 Breakfast, where he worked until 2015.

In his final years he was a regular fill-in at 3AW at the behest of station manager Stephen Beers.

Tributes flowed in from radio presenters around Australia:

Kevin John, one of the kindest people I ever met in radio or out, has passed away…he was just 66! A true radio fan and a great radio professional…took me under his wing when I lobbed at 3MP for my first metro gig in 1983…a terrible loss pic.twitter.com/ug6hO56Uzm

— mike perso (@mikeperso) August 23, 2020

Just heard news that Kevin John .. great radio guy has died . Totally shocked and saddened. He was only 66 . His great mate Brendan McGrael died earlier this year and his other great mate Peter O’Callaghan died only a few years ago . R I P

— Tony Tardio (@tonytardio) August 23, 2020

Incredibly saddened to learn the news of Kevin John’s passing. KJ was a shining light in the offices of @3AW693 & @Magic1278

To me personally he was always incredibly supportive, and he was just a joy to have a chat to.

One of the true gentlemen of Melbourne radio.

— Shane McInnes (@shanemcinnes) August 23, 2020

3AW ended its own tribute by sharing his interview with guest Michael Pope from the station’s archive.