Radio loses a legend: RIP Philip Brady

Australian radio and television has been dealt another huge loss today, with the death of media legend Philip Brady at the age of 85.

The 3AW favourite passed away peacefully in Melbourne during the early hours of this morning, following a short battle with cancer.

3AW’s Tom Elliott broke the sad news to listeners this morning.

Philip hosted what would end up being his final episode of the Sunday night show Remember When on January 12.

At the beginning of this month, Philip announced his retirement from 3AW.

His long-time colleague and friend Simon Owens recorded a special message from Philip, which was played to listeners.

Philip said that after more than three decades at the station, “It’s time to move over and give the younger guys a go. I love every one of you. But it is time to move on. Don’t think I will ever forget you.”

I had the great personal privilege of interviewing Philip for Radio Today in 2022, where he reflected on a glorious, continuous media career spanning more than 6 decades.

Having completed school in 1957, Philip took voice coaching lessons with respected elocution teacher Lee Murray.

Whilst Murray was teaching him to read commercials, GTV Channel Nine in Melbourne put the call out for a temporary booth announcer.

Philip scored the job. Two weeks into his employment, he was summoned from the voiceover booth to do on-camera commercials.

“Suddenly Graham Kennedy took a shine to me,” Philip laughingly recalled. “He thought ‘Oh, I could have some fun with Philip.’”

After beginning his radio journey in a caravan studio at Melbourne’s 3AK, Philip’s first encounter with 3AW came in 1971, when he was employed to do a weekend music shift.

In 1990, Brady and Bruce Mansfield were thrown together, and began co-hosting the nostalgia show Remember When.

A legendary on-air partnership was born.

By March 1991, they’d also taken over Nightline five nights a week.

“We never rehearsed anything, we never had scripts. Everything was just off the cuff.”

 “For thirty years we enjoyed brilliant ratings, until sadly, Bruce passed away.”

Owens – who was the show’s long-time producer – was invited to take over as Brady’s on-air partner, and a new era began.

In our interview, Philip smiled as he told me he had always loved the definition of luck.

Philip believed his entry into showbiz was simply a case of being in the right place, at the right time.

“Luck is where preparation meets opportunity,” he said.

RIP Philip. Radio will miss you greatly.