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BY RadioToday Network August 22, 2024
What's New August 15, 2024
Vale Andrew ‘Bag’ Sidwell
Reporter
Australian radio is today mourning another huge loss, following the death of Andrew ‘Bag’ Sidwell.
Michael Dargan, head of creative at ARN, shared this tribute to Bag, a highly respected radio creative.
“There is barely a corner of the audio industry that hasn’t grown and benefited from with the incredible mind of ‘Bag’ over the past 35+ years. He has connected some of the most creative minds in this industry who will continue to pass on his teachings.”
“‘Bag,’ as we all know him has been battling brain cancer since September last year. He was incredibly brave and stoic in his fight and I’d like to think that whilst the disease may have beat him physically, he kicked the shit out of it in the most important place – his mind.”
“He has truly lived this past 9 months through the mantra “when the student is ready, the teacher appears; and when the student is truly ready, the teacher disappears”. In true ‘Bag’ style, he went through this journey with a passion to continue to learn and grow.
“He leaves behind a beautiful family, wife Sarah, and daughters Hudson and Lola – who were the true centre of his universe.”
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BY Sarah Patterson August 22, 2024
Every single person that worked with, and knew, our mate Bag will echo the same sentiments. Thank you for believing in me, supporting me, encouraging me, and empowering me. ALWAYS having my back. I will cherish our chats about Essendon and life.
We have lost a creative mastermind, a beautiful soul.
My deepest condolences to Sarah, Hudson and Lola.
You’ll live on forever in our hearts and minds. Love ya mate.
A true creative, whose passion was infectious and inspiring! He will be sadly missed, and my heart goes out to his family – whom he adored! He stood for what he believed in and was never shy to express it! True to himself and all for the cause!
RIP Bag – The gardens of heaven have a beautiful flower!
One of the greats. Made a huge dent in the universe. Vale Bag. x
My thought and prayers called those who worked with Andrew and his family friends and knows who loved him. I say God bless you so rest in peace.l
So much I could say about Bag. From when I first spotted him as this young 19 yr old punk dressed in black at FM 104.7 in Canberra to when I saw him just 2 weeks ago in hospital
I can honestly say I have never met anyone like Bag and to his family and other friends whilst it is a sad day it is also a day to remember and reminisce about how much he achieved in what was a relatively short life.
He called me Monty and only a few select people will know why. We shared many things together. You shall be missed buddy, but you definitely won’t be forgotten not while I still have the ability to tell our stories.
Love ya brother
Very sad to hear the news about Bag passing. Although I only had a few occasions to get to know him just a little, he always struck me as a unique individual, true to himself, always very passionate and up-front about what and who was important to him. And he was very very creative and talented. He’ll be missed. My thoughts are with his family and close friends.
Oh no.
Bag was a lovely fellow, very generous to ‘the next generation’.
In my very early days he allowed me to visit him at Fox once, sit on his carpet and learn about his philosophies, methods and hear a few of his greatest hits.
Vale.
As I said in my last message to him a at the start of last week “love ya mate”. I spent a decade with him in our studios at fox and we “created”. Many of the times as those who were there” he did my head in”, but he and I grew closer and closer over the 25 years that passed, working on some amazing projects. We learnt together at fox, but he taught me to really appreciate the perfect sound. I’ve taken that with me into my film, tv career and I bless him for that. We won a couple of awards together which I’ve always been proud of like Toyo Tyres where we couldn’t get the rain on the tyre right, none of the libraries had it, we couldn’t eq it right and bag had that basketball he’d carry and he threw it to me in the vo booth. I started to tap it with my hand spread out “thinking” he goes “wait” and puts it on this old metal file cab and we both looked at each other ! I mic’d it better with vo shotties and hit record. Boom. Perfect.
I will truly miss him. On social if I was having a moment in life he could tell and he’d send me a text that just said ”jansson” which meant calm down, breathe and centre yourself. As I said he did my head in at times, but I respect and honor his commitment to better himself. I wouldn’t be where I am in my career if it wasn’t for bag, his annoying rap and his passionate dedication to his craft and late to himself and others. Like I said in that last text last week “I love ya mate”
Craig Bruce, Irene Hulme, and I had a tribute to Bag in this week’s pod episode. Stay tuned to the end to hear a quick story from Bag himself about Jeff Allis.
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/game-changers-radio-melbourne-radio-wars/id1101042226
Hey Bag,
Just heard your news from Darryn.
There are so many ways to deal with this kind of challenge, and your choice of how is no surprise to me.
Always the one to do things your way, I can see this will be no different.
Thinking of you – Frank Sinatra would be proud,.. I know I am.
Cheers, mate.