Broadcaster Bob Rogers has been posthumously inducted into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame at the 35th annual commercial radio industry night, the ACRA Awards held at The Star in Sydney.
"Bob Rogers was a monumental figure in Australian radio, whose voice and pioneering spirit shaped the industry," said Lizzie Young, Commercial Radio & Audio’s (CRA) chief executive officer.
"His remarkable career and enduring influence are deserving of the highest recognition. It is with immense pride that we welcome Bob into the Commercial Radio Hall of Fame, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future generations of broadcasters."
Bob Rogers' radio career began in 1942 at 3XY in Melbourne. Over nearly eight decades, he became one of Australia's most influential broadcasters.
In 1958, he hosted Australia’s first Top 40 countdown on 2UE, and in 1964, he made history when he joined the Beatles on their Australian tour as 2SM’s exclusive interviewer, earning the nickname "the fifth Beatle".
Rogers continued his career well into the new millennium, joining 2CH in 1999, where he hosted mornings until 2018, followed by his much-loved program Reminiscing until his retirement in 2020 at the age of 93.
During the ceremony, Rogers' family expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the recognition. "This award is a welcome acknowledgment of the genuine passion Bob had for the medium of radio and for his audiences. We knew he couldn’t survive even a week away from his natural ‘home’ behind the microphone,” said his daughter, Justy Rogers.
Fellow broadcasters also paid tribute to Rogers’ influence.
Longtime colleague and broadcaster Ray Hadley said: "It's not often you get the chance to work alongside a true legend in your chosen profession. But I had the great honour of being able to watch and study Bob Rogers for over 40 years.
"No-one lasted longer and had greater success than Bob. He was there when radio was in its infancy in 1942 and was still on air well into his 90s. Despite his fame he was completely unaffected by his success. He was a great broadcaster and a wonderful man. His elevation to the Radio Hall of Fame is long overdue."
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