Bob Rogers (DJ)
Robert Barton Rogers | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 December 1926 Donald, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 29 May 2024 (aged 97) Mosman, Australia |
| Other names | Bob Rogers |
| Occupation(s) | Radio presenter, disc jockey |
| Years active | 1942–2020 |
| Known for | Pioneering the Top 40 radio format in Australia; long broadcasting career of 78 years |
Robert Barton Rogers OAM (3 December 1926 – 29 May 2024) was a distinguished Australian radio presenter and disc jockey, recognized for pioneering the Top 40 radio format in Australia in 1958 on 2UE.
Prior to his retirement in October 2020, Rogers was the host of the six-hour Saturday evening show Reminiscing on Sydney’s 2CH, having formerly led The Bob Rogers Show during weekday mornings. His remarkable broadcasting tenure lasted 78 years, establishing him as one of the nation’s most enduring radio personalities.
Early life
Born on 3 December 1926 to British parents, Rogers grew up in Donald, Victoria. His father shifted careers from a junior butcher to farming, with Rogers actively involved in farm work, including sheep herding.
Career
Rogers launched his career in 1942 as a panel operator at 3XY in Melbourne, later moving into radio announcing in Hobart, where he hosted a Sunday music program featuring new releases brought by American sailors.
In 1950, he took a similar music show to 4BH in Brisbane. Notably, in 1957, he became the first Australian DJ to air Slim Dusty’s "Pub With No Beer", helping it reach the top chart position. Between 1958 and 1962, Rogers presented Australia’s inaugural Top 40 program on 2UE, maintaining his status as the country’s leading radio DJ for eight years.
Expanding into television, he hosted talk shows on TCN-9 followed by a four-year stint starting in 1969 on ATN-7.
Joining 2SM in 1962 as part of the "Good Guys" DJ lineup with Mike Walsh, Rogers contributed to the station achieving number one ratings. In 1964, he represented 2SM during The Beatles’ tour across Europe, Asia, and Australia, conducting interviews with the band.
Back at 2UE, Rogers created a morning show combining edgy commentary, gossip, and music that attracted interviews with prominent artists. In 1976, he authored Rock And Roll Australia, documenting the nation’s rock music scene. Additionally, he ventured into retail by establishing a women’s dress shop chain in 1982.
Rogers joined 2GB in October 1976 but was dismissed in June 1977 after failing to censor inappropriate language during an on-air exchange with entrepreneur John Singleton.
2CH radio
In November 1995, Rogers accepted an offer from John Singleton to join Sydney station 2CH. By February 2007, his morning program had become Sydney’s fourth most popular radio show, surpassing John Laws of 2UE—a significant feat given talkback radio’s dominance over easy listening formats. Overall, this helped elevate 2CH to sixth place in Sydney’s radio ratings.
On 5 December 2007, during a lunch at a Woolloomooloo restaurant with 3AW personality Derryn Hinch, Rogers was verbally attacked by rival broadcaster John Laws. In recognition of his contributions to media as a radio broadcaster, Rogers received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2010 Birthday Honours.
Following an on-air stroke in 2018, Rogers stepped down from his morning show that November but continued hosting the Reminiscing program on Saturdays until his complete retirement on 3 October 2020.
Radio career overview
| Network | Period | Position |
| 3XY | 1942–1950 | Panel operator |
| Hobart radio | Radio announcer and host of the Sunday Afternoon Music Program | |
| 4BH | 1950–1957 | Disc jockey |
| 2UE | 1958–1962 | Presenter of Top 40 music |
| 2SM | 1962–1995 | Disc jockey |
| 2UE | Morning show host | |
| 2GB | 1976–1977 | Morning show host |
| 2CH | 1995–2018 | Morning presenter and host of Reminiscing |
| 2024 | Inducted into the Australian Commercial Radio Hall of Fame |
Passing
Rogers died in Mosman on 29 May 2024 at the age of 97.