Legendary Sydney radio star Ron E Sparks, who famously tore strips off a young Kyle Sandilands for smoking in the studio, has died aged 72.
News of his death was revealed by his former WSFM colleagues Brendan “Jonsey” Jones and Amanda Keller on their Jonesy and Amanda Instgarm page.
“We are devastated to announce the heartbreaking news of the passing of former WSFM announcer Ron E Sparks,” the high-rating radio duo said.
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Although the final years of his career were spent with WSFM, Sparks’ broadcasting journey began on regional radio in the 1970s.
His first Sydney job was with 2SM, after which he headed to 2UW and, when FM radio hit the country, was picked up Triple M before joining 2DAY FM.
Along the way, Sparks did voiceover work for Wheel Of Fortune and even hosted an episode of the ABC TV music show Countdown.
During his stint doing breakfast at 2DayFM, Sparks crossed paths with promising young broadcasters Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson, who were presenting the nightly Hot 30.
However, as the RadioInfo website reports, they were smoking in the studio — and Sparks could smell it the next morning, so discreetly asked the pair to stop.
But as Sandilands recalled in his 2012 memoir, they ignored him, and one morning he took radical action.
“As usual, he had to endure the disgusting smell of stale cigarette smoke we had disrespectfully left behind,” Sandilands wrote.
“However, when he looked around the studio on this particular morning the butt-filled milk bottles hadn’t been thrown in the bin: they were right there on top of the panel.
“What happened next was a Sparks flip out that I want to go on the record as saying I completely and utterly understand and agree with.”
Sparks wrote “’Don’t f****** smoke’ all over the studio walls, the equipment, the speakers and even the computer screens”.
He then threw all the bottles full of butts around Sandilands’ and Henderson’s office and even dumped a little pile outside the station general manager’s door.
Sparks was sacked immediately after that day’s shift.
“Sparks was well within his rights – he had complained, a million times to everyone at the station about the smoking situation,” Sandilands wrote.
“Besides, I was a disrespectful thirty year old brat who needed a good a***-kicking.” Sparks wasn’t out of work for long though, he was picked up by WSFM where he spent the rest of his career before retiring in 2017.
News of his death prompted an outpouring of emotion on the Jonesy and Amanda Instaram page.
“We will miss you Ron E 😢 An awesome workmate and a beautiful neighbour ❤️,” wrote former 7NEWS journalist Jodie Speers.
“I’ve listened to Ron since 2 Day FM in the mornings with Wendy Harmer and Peter Moon. This is so sad,” a fan said.
“This is so sad 😞 Ron was a legend in every respect of the word,” another said.