What's New
BY Sarah Patterson April 5, 2024
What's New November 8, 2021
Radio veteran Brad McNally passes away after long battle with cancer
After a long battle with brain cancer, Brad McNally sadly passed away on Saturday 6th November 2021 in Perth’s, St John of God Hospital.
Brad’s wife Margaret told us: “Brad passed away peacefully last night, Saturday 6 November 2021, in St John of God Hospital, Subiaco. He courageously endured life with a brain tumour for five and half years since his diagnosis in 2016.”
When funeral details are available we will share them here.
Brad enjoyed a stellar 45 years in the radio industry, beginning in Canada and working in several places abroad, before eventually deciding to settle in Australia.
Brad was group program director of stations across Scandinavia for Scandinavian Broadcasting Systems. Brad also worked in Toronto, Canada, London in the UK and Dublin, Ireland.
In Australia, his roles included Program Director at 96FM Perth, Gold FM Melbourne, and Sea FM and Hot Tomato on the Gold Coast.
In his radio exit interview in 2016, Brad recounted his everlasting love for music beginning as a child in Canada.
“I remember listening to the radio all the time. Stations like CHUM and the stations that beamed in from Buffalo and northern NY state. As soon as I was old enough I was on the bus to Toronto to go to the huge record store Sam the Record Man, and I would hang out in there looking at everything, and then usually buy an album with my allowance,” said Brad
“First albums were not typical of a kid my age. Pet Sounds, Cohen’s first album and early Donovan albums. It was the poetry of the lyrics that I loved and the writing, and I went on at school to do well in creative writing and English Literature.”
A man of fitness and discipline, Brad was also a black belt in Karate and a keen marathon runner, who loved his family and three legged cat Louie.
Occasionally writing for Radiotoday, Brad wrote an article upon retirement sharing his wisdom from his life in the radio industry.
“I started when I was 18 years old. I was terrible on the air to start with, but I loved the music and I guess that passion eventually shined through,” said Brad.
“My view has always been that good people succeed in the long run. The people I’ve worked with and watched closely always moved towards their goals. Sure, there were false starts and set-backs, but most kept moving forward.”
“I had worked out early on that the key was to embrace the overall growth journey. The benefits were not just in the goal, but also in the person you were becoming along the way.”
Read Brad’s articles for Radiotoday here: https://www.radiotoday.com.au/author/brad-mcnally/
You’re going to be missed immensely Ninja. I adored working with you on the Gold Coast – leading our #1 teams. And thank you for being there and supportive when times were tough for me.
I’ve never had a content director quite like you – truly one of a kind.
I hope the Qi is good up there buddy.
Love and condolences to Marg and the family.
Very sad to hear of Brad’s passing . Only certain people leave a mark on the music industry and Brad was up there with the best . He was greatly respected and will be sadly missed . Sincere condolences to Margaret and family
Man, that is sad news…our orbits only occasionally intersected but he was always a deeply impressive human being. Vale Brad
A passionate music man, great radio man and a unique man who I always enjoyed talking to and working with. His positive attitude and love of music was infectious and he’ll be missed. Sad day when I heard the news that he’d lost his battle with cancer. Thoughts are with Margaret and his family.
So sad to hear of Brad’s passing. He had such enthusiasm for our industry and the overall experience for the listener.
We were introduced many years ago on the Gold Coast and he was so kind, offering advice and staying in touch as we moved to different companies.
Condolences to the family.
Rest In Peace Ninja