On Saturday August 2, 104.9 Triple M Sydney will mark 45 years on air. All day today, August 1, the station is paying homage through some of the best sketches, special guests and the best 45 songs from the 1980’s.

Triple M launched August 2 1980 with My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue) by Neil Young (below is Neil performing it live in 1985 – it’s a cracker with the wonderful lines ‘it’s better to burn out than fade away‘).

The most played song over the past 45 years is this one, released in 1980 and sure to rate highly in the 45 songs from the 80s.

Some of the original line-up and team members from 1980 include:

• Presenters: Tim Webster (now on breakfast at 2SM), Pete Rudder, Tony Hartney, Bob Hughes

• Newsroom Contributors: Terry Mabb

• Support Crew: Jason Wayne, Jim Carroll

• Management: Rod Muir, Cherie Romaro

• Engineering: Frank Mancini

Other legendary presenters include Doug Mulray, Andrew Denton & Amanda Keller, Club Veg, The Cage, The Grill Team, The Shebang, Wil & Lehmo, Brian Carlton, Mick Molloy and a great many more.

Some of the special guests you will hear today include:

• Mick Molloy

• Matty Johns

• Anthony Albanese

• Larry Emdur

• Merrick Watts

• Jimmy Barnes

• James Reyne

• Jon Stevens (Noiseworks)

• Iva Davies (Icehouse)

• Mark Gable (Choirboys)

• Dave Faulkner (Hoodoo Gurus)

• John Brewster (The Angels)

• Garry Gary Beers (INXS)

• Richard Clapton

• Dale Ryder (Boom Crash Opera)

• Dave Gibson (the voice of so many of Uncle Doug’s great scripts)

104.9 Triple M Sydney Content Director, Laura Bouchet said:

“For 45 years, Triple M has been the heartbeat of Sydney, the home of real music, laughs and legendary voices. From Doug Mulray to Andrew Denton, Amanda Keller and Mick Molloy, some of Australia’s biggest names have called Triple M home. Today, we celebrate that incredible legacy, and our commitment to keeping it live, local and loud for Sydney.”

Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for Radioinfo. The Triple M sticker pictured is hers.