Sydney radio legend John Brennan farewelled

Sydney radio legend John Brennan farewelled

Sydney radio legend John Brennan farewelled

Australian broadcasting legend John Brennan has been farewelled in a funeral at Sydney’s St Mary’s Cathedral.
The radio kingmaker – affectionately known as “Brenno” – died at the age of 89 last month at his retirement village.
Nine’s Sydney newsreader Peter Overton and 2GB’s Ben Fordham were among dozens of media personalities paying respects to the man who made the careers of countless stars, including Alan Jones, Mike Walsh, Ray Hadley and Stan Zemanek.
John Brennan kingmaker of Sydney radio dies, aged 89
John Brennan is perhaps the most influential figure in Australian radio. (9News)
Hundreds attended the service at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.
Hundreds attended the funeral service of John Brennan at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. (9News)
“He gave me my start when I was 17 years old, put me on air,” Overton said.
“Every night I think about him before I do the news because it was him who set me on my path.”
Fordham said he imagined Mr Brennan would be “upstairs at the moment with a big grin on his face”.
Nine's Peter Overton and Ben Fordham attended the funeral.
Nine’s Peter Overton and Ben Fordham attended the funeral. (9News)
John Brennan is responsible for launching the careers of Alan Jones, Mike Walsh, Ray Hadley and Stan Zemanek . (Steven Siewert/Sydney Morning Herald)

“He would probably be cheering us all on as we make our way into church because that’s what he was, a great cheerleader of so many people, myself included.”
Mr Brennan’s career started as a country radio announcer in Wagga Wagga where he met his beloved wife of 67 years, Jenny.
Mr Brennan took three Sydney radio stations to the top of the ratings, starting with 2SM in the 1960s.
John Brennan revolutionised the radio industry.
John Brennan revolutionised the radio industry. (9News)
Alan Jones and John Brennan in 2002.
Alan Jones and John Brennan in 2002. (Kate Geraghty/Sydney Morning Herald)
He moved from music to the fledgling talkback format, transferring from 2UE and then to 2GB.
“Two basics of talk – to inform and entertain. Entertain informingly, inform entertainingly,” Mr Brennan said.
He received an OAM for his service to radio in 1989.

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