Ernie Sigley Biography – Wiki
Ernie Sigley was a Gold Logie Award-winning Australian presenter, radio host, and singer, has died. Known as a pioneer of Australian television, he was often called a “little Australian fighter” with a great sense of humor.
Sigley was born in Footscray, Melbourne, one of seven children of a coppersmith. After completing his education at Williamstown High School, his career began in 1952 as a record player on Danny Webb’s breakfast show on 3DB (Melbourne) radio station. Television began in Australia in 1956 and Sigley made his television debut as the host of Teenage Mailbag on HSV-7 in 1957. Shortly thereafter, he traveled to London, where he gained work experience at the BBC. But a bigger opportunity would come with a three-year stint on Radio Luxembourg, where he performed under the name “Ernie Williams”.
Sigley is remembered for associating him in 1964 with the Adelaide leg of the Beatles’ tour of Australia. At a press conference, his questioning of the Beatles elicited an enthusiastic response from John Lennon, which led to one of the most notable interviews of the tour.
Age
Ernie Sigley has died at the age of 82-years-old.
Career
In 1981, Sigley returned to 3DB to host the breakfast program. In 1982, he switched to the breakfast shift at News Talk 3UZ driven by personality, teaming up with comedian and impersonator Paul Jennings. When 3UZ switched to a music format in early 1984, Sigley left the station.
In 1996, Sigley joined 3AW to host the afternoon show. He hosted the evening show for 12 years until his retirement on November 7, 2008. Denis Walter was announced as Sigley’s replacement. He then took on a part-time role at the station where he teamed up with Bruce Mansfield or Philip Brady to host Nightline on Friday nights.
In January 2009, Sigley ended his radio career after a 57-year association with the industry, when it is believed that he emerged from a heated meeting with 3AW management.
Sigley was part of the original cast of Sunnyside Up. In the 1960s and early 1970s, he hosted the variety show Adelaide Tonight in primetime on NWS-9. Beginning in 1974, he was the host of Nine Network’s national variety show The Ernie Sigley Show, featuring prominent Australian media personalities such as Denise Drysdale, Noni Hazlehurst, Pete Smith, and Joy Westmore. The show was abruptly canceled after an off-air outburst from Sigley, directed at station owner Kerry Packer and producer Peter Faiman when the network interrupted its first show in 1976 to accommodate a broadcast of the network’s sports awards. . Packer flew to Melbourne the next day and fired Sigley himself, effective immediately, and replaced him with Don Lane.
Sigley was the original host of the Australian version of the popular game show Wheel of Fortune from 1981 to 1984. In 1982, he hosted BTV-6’s Six Tonight regional variety show on Ballarat and the daytime talent show Pot Luck in 1987.
After a hiatus from television, Sigley returned in 1989 with Denise Drysdale, hosting the GTV-9 morning show In Melbourne Today.
Sigley was involved in a riot with fellow TV star Don Lane at a Logies after-party in 1988 when Sigley allegedly made insulting comments about Lane’s partner.
Sigley began singing as a choir boy at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne and became a regular on the local city hall circuit in the 1950s. In 1957 his first album, “Love Is A Golden Ring”, was released by W&G Records.
In 1974, Sigley, with Denise Drysdale, recorded the popular duet “Hey Paula”, released by Festival Records and produced at Armstrong Studios, Melbourne. The record reached number 2 in Australia.
Sigley performed regularly in Australia on the club circuit, often with fellow television partner Denise Drysdale.
Wife & Children
Three times married and twice divorced, Sigley was married to Glenys O’Brien, a former television personality, for 47 years. They lived in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and had four children. Her son Matthew was a keyboardist for the Australian band’s Earthmen, Fauves, and Drop City.
Cause of Death
It’s a sad day for the people who met Gold Logie winner Ernie Sigley, who passed away at age 82 on August 15. Sigley, one of Australia’s most beloved people, was a multi-dimensional artist. He was an announcer, radio host, singer, and so much more, all brought together in one individual, and people on the internet feel and mourn the loss of him. Sigley leaves his wife Glenys of 47 years and his four children: Matthew, Guy, David, and Emma.
Speaking of celebrities who crossed to the other side of the universe this year, Australian actor Dieter Brummer’s body was discovered at his Sydney home in July. The cause of his death was not immediately publicly available, but the incident was being investigated as a suicide. British actor Mark Eden, country singer Misty Morgan, actress Tanya Roberts, and many other celebrities died this year, click here for the full list.
Melbourne-born entertainer, Ernie Sigley’s death was announced by his family. Sigley had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for the past five years and, at the time of his death, he was in a nursing home. He died peacefully at the age of 82 and the curtain closed on the famous life of the “little Australian fighter” who entertained his audience for six long decades. In addition to all the love and adulation from the people who loved him, Sigley also got the go-ahead from the industry he belonged to and pocketed several Gold Logie’s, 21 to be precise.
Tributes
Ernie Sigley, the TV host, radio presenter and singer known as “the little Aussie battler”, has died. He was 82. https://t.co/bFOaDsJvfu
— SCHOOL KIDS RIGHTS (@EdmJbg) August 15, 2021
“Rest in peace Ernie Sigley. Thanks for the memories,” tweeted a Sigley fan. “Oh! Little Ernie Sigley is gone. Remember him as host of the Adelaide Tonight Show in the ’60s. He was soon cheeky, him and Ann Wills ….. Condolences to his family and remembered by all his fans,” tweeted another fan. “Ernie Sigley organized a blind date for my parents in Adelaide in the funky sixties. He will always have a special place in our hearts. Sending a lot of love from my family to yours @ MatthewSigley # OK,” another user tweeted.
“It’s so sad to hear about the death of Ernie Sigley. His unique larrikin style made it seem easier than it really is. Television, radio, record hits, and live concerts – what a great career! But his greatest pride was his family. so I will be sad but honored to pay tribute today, “Australian reporter Peter Ford tweeted. “Ernie Sigley was an incredibly warm and generous person. I loved every moment I spent with him. He took an interest in me when I started at 3AW and made me feel like I belonged. I have never forgotten him. My thoughts are with the entire Sigley family. we will miss, “read another tweet.
