One of the true legends of Australian FM Breakfast radio, Doug Mulray has passed overnight.
He was 71. Although the cause is unknown at this stage, he was admitted to hospital with what was described as a chronic illness last December.
Doug recently chatted to Ian Rogerson and Angela Catterns on their Suddenly Senior podcast.
Mulray began his career at 2AD in Armidale, before moving onto the Central Coast of NSW, and then Melbourne to work at 3AW on Mulray and the Man during the 70’s.
He has a stint at Double J before moving to Triple M Sydney where he would rule the airwaves through the 80’s before signing off in 1992.
Mulray also hosted radio shows on 2WS and 2SM, as well as several television shows Beauty and the Beast, Star Struck, and the Doug Mulray Show.
He was famously dumped off air by Kerry Packer just 33 minutes into a new TV show, Australia’s Naughtiest Home Videos.
Doug Mulray was inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame at the 2019 ACRA’s.
Current Triple M Breakfast host, Mick Molloy says, “It is a terrible morning. A huge gaping hole has been left in the landscape of FM radio, particularly in Sydney where Doug Mulray ruled since 1982. He was the man, he was a legendary radio performer. For anyone in comedy, particularly going into radio, he was considered the biggest star in the firmament. He ruled Sydney radio for a long time.
Doug Mulray was arguably the greatest FM Breakfast host ever on Australia radio. Heard on Triple M Sydney, he was the original, the funniest and one of the most entertaining announcers I have ever heard. His show was so compelling I used to listen for hours each morning during the 80’s. Hired by the legendary Rod Muir, Doug dominated radio ratings and gave rise to Andrew Denton who started as a writer on his show. Mulray was an extraordinary wordsmith, brilliant broadcaster, a great comedian.
No AI chat program can ever replace the creativity, spontaneity and innovation of a professional broadcaster.
Neither can an AI chat program be human.
Mr Mulray exemplifies creativity, sponteneity, innovation and bring about the marshalling of talent.
May he rest in peace, amen.
Anthony, Belfield in the land of the Wangal and Darug Peoples of the Eora Nation.
It’s a very sad day for Australian Radio. Those who experienced Uncle Doug’s radio performances are the ones who truly understand it. In true Mulray tradition, 2MMM should have a moments silence in respect for the great man, it should be interrupted by a fart, a burp, a giggle,a popping of Champaign and some classic rock.