For more than 70 years, John Laws' voice resonated across national airwaves to millions of listeners.
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With his voice now silent, tributes are flowing for the talkback titan who died peacefully on Sunday at his Sydney home aged 90.
Dubbed Australia's "Golden Tonsils", Laws courted controversy at times but had immense influence, attracting two million listeners to his morning radio program at the height of his popularity.
He shaped government decisions and the direction of the nation, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
"John Laws was an iconic Australian," he told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
"His voice resonated throughout our nation - people trusted John Laws.
"Those golden tonsils leaning into that golden microphone was something that Australians felt was a part of their everyday experience for not just years, but for decades."
Born in New Guinea in 1935, Laws moved to Australia with his family as a schoolboy and launched his radio career in Bendigo in 1953.
He spent four separate stints at Sydney station 2UE after first joining the broadcaster in 1957, worked for 2GB, 2UW and 2SM, and had short periods with Network Ten and Foxtel.
Laws pioneered a unique blend of entertainment, information and opinion, delivered with what became one of the most recognised voices in the nation.
His shows were broadcast around Australia, reaching people through almost 100 stations, and he was particularly popular in rural NSW.
Former prime minister Paul Keating once said, "When you educate John Laws, you educate Australia".
Former colleagues and friends have paid tribute to the Australian Media Hall of Fame inductee, who died one year after hanging up his microphone.
Actor and former neighbour Russell Crowe said the broadcaster was a wise mentor, a mischievous mate and a very good friend.
"I am deeply saddened by his passing, however, I am buoyed in the sure and certain knowledge that he led a magnificent life of achievement and adventure and he lived every moment," he said on social media.
Nationals leader David Littleproud remembered growing up with Laws on the airwaves in Chinchilla in Queensland.
"He brought common sense to the airwaves. He was a pioneer, a great Australian," Mr Littleproud said.
Laws was said to be the best-paid radio broadcaster in the world at one stage of his career, with 2UE management presenting him with a golden microphone.
But he did not escape controversy when, in 1999, he and rival Alan Jones were caught up in a cash-for-comment scandal.
Nearly 40,000 people demanded he undergo training in 2013 as he defended an interview in which he asked a 44-year-old victim of child sex abuse whether it was "in any way your fault".
"I thought the line of questioning brought out the best facts of all," he told AAP at the time.
The issue had been blown up because "having a whack at John Laws is a national sport", he mused.
Sydney radio broadcaster Ray Hadley said Laws was a "radio icon".
"Those who follow him and drink from the well like I have in the past should remember the person who dug that well," Mr Hadley said.
Fellow radio host Kyle Sandilands said Laws was "one of the true originals".
"He said what he thought, didn't care who he offended, but could also show deep compassion when required," he said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the broadcaster's extraordinary career could hardly be matched, with few leaving such a deep and lasting mark on Australian media.
"His legacy lies not only in the thousands of hours on air, but in the connection he forged with millions of Australians," Mr Minns said.
Australian Associated Press
