Pioneering broadcaster Sam Anglesey has died. He celebrated his 80th birthday with family earlier this year at his beloved Dora Point home, by the seaside in Tasmania.
Anglesey was from Perth and began his radio career at 6KG Kalgoorlie in the early 60s eventually being headhunted to join 3UZ in Melbourne. At its peak in the late 60s 3UZ was Australia’s most popular radio station attracting half of the city’s two million potential listeners. A tall man, “Big Sam”, as he was known, proudly held the record for the biggest youth audience in the history of Australian radio.
Big Sam’s evening show The Greater shaped the musical tastes of a generation of teenagers. He is pictured above in the aircheck with Russell Morris. Anglesey also regularly appeared on the popular youth TV show and precursor to Countdown, Happening, alongside Molly Meldrum.
During his time with 3UZ Sam pioneered the longform radio special. In 1970 Sam flew on the inaugural flight out of Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport to San Francisco to interview Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Cosmo’s Factory, which would become the name of their album released that year. Sam spoke to John Fogerty and the band about every song on that album, which they would then play.
The radio ‘special was flown back to Melbourne the next day bringing chart success to Creedence and the show being sold and syndicated to other Australian stations. This led Big Sam to other longer special interviews with artists like Roy Orbison, Tom Jones and Helen Reddy.
In the mid 70s Sam returned to 7EX Launceston, a station he had worked at in his early days, also working a farm at Liffey. In the 1980s he moved to Adelaide and 5AD where his reputation led to exclusive chats with Dolly Parton, David Bowie band more who he kept on friendly terms with like Creedence.
In 1988 Sam returned to 7EX and Launceston then finished his radio career by helping set up Break O’Day FM in 2002, a community radio station in the Tasmanian seaside town St Helens, near his property at Dora Point.
Sam’s much loved family have invited those who knew him to join them for a celebration of his life at The Royal Oak Hotel in Launceston on Sunday 15 September at 2pm with a reception to follow. You must RSVP, which you can do here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1257984
His family have also set up a dedicated Facebook page where stories, anecdotes, photos and memorabilia can be shared.
Picture from RSN Racing and Sport 927‘s Facebook page: 3UZ broadcasters Grahame Cherry left and Big Sam Anglesey right giving away fists full of cash around 1965.
Ron E Sparks and now 'Big' Sam
A sad few days for radio. I worked at The Greater 3UZ in 1971. I'd only been in the business for a little over a year. 2VM, 2DU, 7LA then 3UZ. It was overwhelming to be working at what was then undoubtedly the best radio station in Australia. On the back of B&T magazine the ad claimed 3UZ to be one of the two best radio stations in the world.
It was overwhelming for a young 20 year old to be working with that legendary on air team. Sam was great. He took me aside and told me not to worry, all would be OK, and that I wouldn't have been offered the job if I wasn't up to it. He spent time with me offering tips, ideas and techniques. I will never forget his kindness and support.
Another one of the all time greats gone. That's life I guess, but its very sad.