Stan Zemanek has lost his year-long battle with cancer. Stan’s Funeral will be held next Tuesday 17 July at 10.30am at St Mary’s Catholic Church North Sydney.
Stan is survived by his wife, Marcella and has two married daughters, Gaby and Melissa as well as two grand children, Hamish (4) and Chloe (5 months). Stan had turned 60 on May 29th.
His wife, Marcella, said, “We have lost a remarkable husband and Australia lost a genuine icon. Stan put up an incredibly brave and dignified fight this past year and he was buoyed and greatly comforted by the expressions of love and warm wishes we received during his protracted battle.”
Stan started his radio career in the United States as a writer and researcher. He then returned to Australia where he worked as a panel operator for John Laws and Bob Rogers. In 1987 Stan was asked to fill in as an on-air presenter on Sydney’s Radio 2UE. He proved such a success that within a few months he was hosting his very own night-time radio show. The rest, as they say, is history. More can be found at the link below.
When radioinfo interviewed Stan in December last year, after he hung up his headphones for the last time, we asked him: Has it been worth it?
Zemanek: Yes, it’s been worth it. I’ve had a fantastic time. I’m one of the few broadcasters who has been able to do creatively what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. I won’t be hanging up the microphone completely, but I won’t be doing night time radio any more and am looking forward to the occasional fill-in jobs at whatever radio station wants me.
radioinfo: What are your most memorable moments?
Zemanek: I guess I would have to say that broadcasting the 1983 America’s Cup when Australia II crossed the finishing line in first place. That put my name on the map and catapulted me into public prominence. I guess the other memorable moment was being the only commercial radio broadcaster to be No. 1 in three metropolitan cities: 22.6% Sydney; 22% Brisbane and 14% Melbourne. No other broadcaster on commercial radio has ever achieved those figures in three major markets.
Read the full interview by clicking this link.
Close friend and former producer Melanie Withnall remembers Stan Zemanek as a great person to work for:
Stan Zemanek’s long battle with cancer is over, but the legacy and the legend will live on.
His radio program was so unique, a combination of current affairs, and ‘crazy callers’. He was always on top of the story, making sure that his listeners got the news, but were entertained at the same time. He understood what it took to make great radio, and formed a special bond with his listeners.
As a person, he was kind, intelligent, and fun!! He was just the best person to work for. His loyalty to his staff was legendary, as was his work ethic.
Most of all, Stan loved his family. He always put his wife Marcella, his two daughters Gaby and Melissa, and his grandchildren first, and our thoughts are with them at this time.
Commercial Radio Australia CEO Joan Warner says Zemanek will be remembered for playing a significant role in talkback radio over a very successful radio broadcasting career spanning 20 years:
“Stan was a real personality who attracted many loyal fans with his highly entertaining and forthright opinions. He was the only radio personality to have achieved the number one ratings position in the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane markets, which was a fantastic achievement. Our thoughts are with Stan’s family at this time.”
Communications Minister Helen Coonan also paid tribute to Zemanek, saying:
“He was proud to call himself the most-complained about broadcaster in the country. Yet
his appeal was such that even those who didn’t agree with his views still tuned in to listen
to him. Whether you loved him or hated him, Stan was a marvellous larger than life radio character.”
Stan’s Funeral will be held next Tuesday at 10am at St Mary’s Catholic Church North Sydney. Instead of flowers, the family has requested donations to The Cure For Life Foundation. Listeners and radio colleagues are welcome to attend the funeral service. It will be followed by a private cremation.