Ron E Sparks, the iconic voice of Sydney radio, has passed away at the age of 72. This heartbreaking news was announced by his former WSFM colleagues Brendan ‘Jonesy’ Jones and Amanda Keller on their Instagram page. “We are devastated to announce the heartbreaking news of the passing of former WSFM announcer Ron E Sparks,” the high-rating radio duo shared.
A Storied Career in Broadcasting
Sparks’ illustrious broadcasting journey began in regional radio in the 1970s before he moved to Sydney, starting with 2SM, then heading to 2UW, and eventually joining Triple M with the advent of FM radio.
His versatility was evident as he also lent his voice to “Wheel of Fortune” and hosted an episode of ABC TV’s “Countdown.” Sparks’ career at 2Day FM saw him encounter budding broadcasters Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson, who were then hosting the nightly “Hot 30.”
A Memorable Incident
As reported by RadioInfo, Sparks once detected the lingering smell of cigarettes left by Sandilands and Henderson and discreetly asked them to stop smoking in the studio. Ignored, Sparks took drastic action one morning, enraged by the stench and the sight of butt-filled milk bottles.
He hurled the bottles around their office and left a pile outside the station general manager’s door, an act that led to his immediate dismissal. Despite this, Sandilands, in his 2012 memoir, expressed understanding and agreement with Sparks’ frustration. “Sparks was well within his rights,” Sandilands wrote. “Besides, I was a disrespectful thirty-year-old brat who needed a good a-kicking.”
Final Years and Tributes
Sparks soon joined WSFM, where he remained until his retirement in 2017. The announcement of his death prompted an outpouring of grief on social media. “We will miss you, Ron E,” wrote former 7NEWS journalist Jodie Speers. Fans reminisced about listening to him on 2Day FM with Wendy Harmer and Peter Moon. “Ron was a legend in every respect of the word,” one fan said.
