It is with great sadness that we inform our listeners of the passing of Graham Webb at the Gold Coast University Hospital – April 26, 2024.
Host of “Webby’s Wireless Show” on Vintage FM from 2013-2019, Graham “Spider” Webb was a pioneer of Australian radio and television. Beginning his radio career at 2TM Tamworth in 1954, he was one of the first DJ’s to host a Top 40 program in Sydney in 1957 alongside Gary O’Callaghan, Bob Rogers and John Laws.
He travelled overseas in the 60’s, working on pirate stations such as Radio Caroline.
On TV, he hosted programs such as Blind Date and Jeopardy. Graham’s love of music and television got the better of him and wondered how he could combine the two! In 1974, this led to him hosting a Saturday morning music program which would become “Sounds Unlimited”, one of the first music programs on television (and the development of the music video clip we know today).
Graham would then hand over the hosting duties to Donnie Sutherland.
Graham’s love of radio made sure he was never too far away from a microphone. During the 80’s, he was an announcer at 2SM and 2UW. In the 90’s, Graham relocated to the Gold Coast and was heard on air on Gold FM and ABC.
During 2000, one of Graham’s proudest achievements was helping to establish a new community radio station on the Sunshine Coast – Sunshine FM 104.9. He hosted the breakfast program during its early years. Today, Sunshine FM is one of the most listened to community stations in Australia.
Graham produced a series of radio programs called “Webby’s Golden Years Of Radio” – an audio book of his life behind the microphone. It was a weekly 2 hour program, syndicated to many community and narrowcast stations around Australia.
In his retirement years, Graham continued to be heard on a number of stations including Bay FM Nelson Bay, KL FM Kingaroy, 2NN Newcastle and ‘Webby’s Wireless Show’ on Vintage FM. Graham also assisted in the establishment of an aspirant community station, Harmony FM in Richmond.
He has interviewed countless artists over the years. Pictured below is Graham with The Monkees, Everly Brothers, The Beatles and Pete Townshend.
We pass on our condolences to Graham’s family during this very sad time.
Graham was 88.
R.I.P Spider!
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Graham Webb, a radio and television pioneer in Australia. Graham passed away at the Gold Coast University Hospital
I would like to pass on my Condolences to Graham’s family. I was fortunate enough to have met Graham personally when he was a Disc Jockey at Drummoyne Sailing Club in the 80’s. What a lovely geniune man he was. I also met his son Byron when he was starting out but prior to that my nephew used to play with Byron. They only lived a few streets away from us at Rozelle.
My thoughts are withyou in your of sorrow. RIP Graham you brighten up the lives of so many
May Graham’s soul rest in his Music Heaven he deserves. Pioneers like Graham need to be remembered in life and afterwards as they have enriched Australian TV, Radio and Music scenes. Thanks for the lovely tribute.
all the rock and roll music on vintage fm is the best from Rodney rivers Mittagong nsw Australia š¤