RIP Steve Raymond OAM

Steve Raymond. Image: Facebook

The radio industry is mourning the death of legendary broadcaster Steve Raymond OAM, a man considered part of the DNA of Sydney’s 2WS and WSFM.

In a tribute posted to social media, longtime friend and colleague Pete Graham said Steve – brother of Channel 7’s Mike Raymond – loved the station with a depth and loyalty we don’t often see anymore.

“But Steve’s story didn’t start or end there. He was a star long before WS – a genuine television presence, hosting his own show and becoming a familiar face in lounge rooms right across Sydney. And on radio, he reached the very top of the mountain … No.1 on 2UE, back when that meant something huge. Back when being No.1 wasn’t just a ratings line — it was a badge of honour.”

“And then there was the other side of Steve … the one with petrol in his veins.”

“He adored speedway. He wasn’t just a spectator – he was involved, part of that gritty, roaring world where engines shake the ground and characters are larger than life. It suited him. Speedway people are passionate, loyal, and fiercely proud of their community. Just like Steve. When the corporate crowd wiped “WS” from the call sign and rebranded it “Gold,” Steve said something that summed him up perfectly: ‘I just don’t want to believe it. The name change will trash nearly fifty years of tradition, heritage – and a loyalty bond that united 2WS and WS FM with the people of the greater west.’”

“That was Steve — passionate, protective, and fiercely proud of the legacy he helped build. He cared about the listeners. He cared about the craft. He cared about the west. He cared about the people he worked with – deeply. And he lived a broadcaster’s life across every medium – radio, television, and even the speedway track – with the same fire in his belly.”

“I’m going to miss him. The spark in his voice when he talked about the old days, and the way he fought for the soul of the station long after others had moved on.Radio has lost one of its true believers.”

“Rest easy, Steve.”

Image: Facebook