Long-time commercial radio presenter Kevin O’Neill died last Friday in Wyong Hospital, aged 79. Friends and former radio industry colleagues are invited to attend his funeral at the Rose Chapel of Palmdale Lawn Cemetery & Memorial Park, Palmdale Road, Palmdale at 1pm on Thursday 16 November. Exit the M1 at Ourimbah if coming from Sydney or Newcastle. Drinks and nibbles after at Ourimbah RSL Club.

Kevin had a long career in commercial radio with the below tribute provided by close friend and colleague Brian Crabbe.

Kevin O’Neill’s radio career began in mid-1960 at age 16 at 2GB, as Office Boy and then Panel Operator, while attended Eric Wright’s Training School where one of his three fellow students was Ward Austin!

Kevin O’Neill pictured in 2KY’s book “Reflections of 75 Years of Broadcasting”.

His first announcing job came only a few months later, in September 1960, at 2BE Bega.  The following year, 1961 he moved to 2VM Moree where he stayed for most of the 1960s.  By 1968 he felt the need for change and moved in succession to major rural stations 3CV in Central Victoria and 2WG Wagga, followed by his first period at a capital city station, 3XY Melbourne.  2LT Lithgow and 2KA Katoomba followed, before he was hired by then major Sydney station 2UE as a floater, overnight and sports announcer. Wanting more, Kevin then went to 2GZ Orange before returning to Sydney in October 1978, first at 2KY, then as one of the original announcing team at 2DAY FM, followed by four years at 2WS where he presented “Jukebox Saturday Night”.  Another short period at 2UE followed before Kevin settled into his final radio home, 2KY, from 1986 until he retired from radio in 2004.    There, during the 1990s and early 2000s, he was the congenial presenter of a Sunday night program “All Time Favourites”, in which he played music of the 1940s, 50s and 60s, as well as assuming the role of “Mr Rock and Roll” for several over-night programs a week.

Brian Crabbe is replaying a one-hour program in which O’Neill talks extensively about his career in radio and includes some of his favourite recordings. It can be heard during the second hour of “There Goes That Song Again” at 11am this Wednesday, 8^th November, and at 3pm Friday, 10^th November on 2RRR 88.5 FM, streamed via 2rrr.org.au, or you can listen below.