Australian radio legend Doug Mulray has passed away at 71. While no cause of death has been confirmed, 9News reports that he was admitted to the hospital to treat a chronic illness last December.
Mulray’s radio career began with country station 2AD in New South Wales before heading to the central coast to join 2Go.
In the mid-70s, Mulray made the trek to Melbourne and headlined 3AW’s Mulray & The Man.
From there, he landed a gig at triple j, and by the early 80s, he was helping launch a radio station we now know as Triple M. His breakfast show on the radio station was declared to be the third-best Australian metro FM breakfast show of all time by Radio Today.
As well as his radio success, Mulray also made a dent in the ARIA Albums and Singles Charts. His 1982 and 1983 LPs, What A Rude Album and 2 Rude (with Ken Sterling), landed at #22 and #24 on the Album Chart, respectively.
His third album, 1993’s Nice Legs Shame About The Fez, peaked at #32. Meanwhile, his non-album singles, You Are Soul (1986) and Werewolf (1993), hit #34 and #77 on the Singles Chart.
Today’s Triple M Sydney programming will be dedicated to Doug Mulray.
Triple M Sydney hosts Cat Lynch and Mark Geyer began the day on a sombre note, but when a caller rings in and says, “‘He didn’t push the boundaries of radio, he blew them up!’”, it’s difficult not to smile at his impact on radio and for music lovers in Sydney.
SCA CEO Grant Blackley said about the radio titan (via Media Week): “Our deepest sympathies to the family and friends on the passing of Uncle Doug. He was radio royalty and an absolute legend. He was instrumental in changing the face of radio on Triple M and became a household name.
“He was deeply opinionated, highly intelligent and one very cheeky bugger. Thank you Dougie for entertaining us and ensuring we never took life too seriously. We will miss you. Vale Doug Mulray.”
2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham added this morning, “If there’s a radio station in heaven, they better get the dump button ready, because Doug Mulray is coming.”
Doug Mulray was affectionately dubbed Uncle Doug by longtime listeners - check out more tributes below.
#RIp Uncle Doug Mulray dead at the age of 71.
— Geoff Field 🎤📻 (@GeoffField) March 30, 2023
A giant of radio. pic.twitter.com/Ulw09uU1E8
I listen to him every morning in peak hour traffic going to work in the 1980’s & 1990’s. Uncle Doug was amazingly talented and unbelievably funny, had me in fits of laughter that I didn’t want to turn off the car radio. #dougmulray #rip #uncledoug #thankyou pic.twitter.com/KtAPBOZ46D
— Mel Jelfs (@MelJelfs) March 30, 2023
RIP Uncle Doug, you made the morning’s in the 80’s. 👍
— Peter Hoskins (@PeterH314) March 30, 2023
Vale, Doug Mulray.
— Peter FitzSimons #YES (@Peter_Fitz) March 30, 2023
Passed away overnight, after long illness.
An iconic radio man, his particular ability was to be wildly hilarious while right on the edge & never blink. Privileged to co-host with hims for a couple of years.
The love of his life was Miss Lizzie.
Condolences.
Working with Doug Mulray on his Music Max breakfast show was such an honour
— Andrew Mercado (@andrewmercado) March 30, 2023
He was warm and generous and always hilarious
An absolute legend, what a loss
Felt like I grew up listening to ‘Uncle’ Doug Mulray. He was a commercial radio masterclass. RIP. 😞🙏🏻
— Melissa Hoyer (@melissahoyer) March 30, 2023
Still vividly remember the night he was pulled off air by then Channel 9 owner, Kerry Packer, who wasn’t impressed with some of his content. ❤️https://t.co/fEceETdfg5 pic.twitter.com/xyvbQv55Iv
Very sad news this morning that radio legend Doug Mulray has died. Going back to to the 80s and 90s he ruled the airwaves and really pushed the limits. Lit up a lot of lives.
— Peter Ryan OAM (@Peter_F_Ryan) March 30, 2023
