Barry Ferber, best known as a General Manager of Gold Coast station 4GG, has died aged 83 at his home in Las Vegas.
He joined 4GG as the morning announcer when the station opened in 1967. Barry was assistant manager whilst still on air at 4GG until about 1972 when he replaced Ralph Taylor as station GM. He stayed in that role until 1989. During his time as GM, 4GG became known as ‘the showbiz radio station of Australia’ because of its growing list of high-profile international celebrities appearing on the airwaves. In the early ’90s Barry worked briefly as the General Manager 4BC Brisbane and also spent two years working in radio in Fiji.
Barry left Australia in 1993 to live in the US and most of that time he lived and worked in Las Vegas.
He began his radio career as a teenager at 3UL Warragul. He then moved to 3DB in Melbourne and became well known as the host of the morning program ‘Music Goes Ferber’ and on air called himself the ‘Mellow Fellow.’ He was apparently the first DJ to play a Beatles record in Australia and when the Beatles arrived in Australia in 1964 John Lennon asked after Barry Ferber. Before joining 4GG in 1968, he also worked as a dj at 7HT Hobart.
He leaves behind his former wife Judith, two daughters Kate and Lucy and three grandchildren.
A longer tribute will appear in the October edition of Jocks’ Journal.
(Photo below: Judy and Barry Ferber – courtesy of Greg Newman – Jocks’ Journal)
Correction. Barry was assistant manager whilst still on air at 4GG until about 1972. Ralph Taylor was still manager until then. RIP Barry.
Greg, I have always remembered the banter you used to have a shot at “the boss”. I was listening one day when you saying that you admired the bosses hair. There it was blowing in the breeze. And him being too proud to run after it. Maybe it says more about me than the joke, but that has always stayed with me. Radio was king back then and he was at the helm of a very special place. Condolences to family, friends and to all former staff at 4GG. A true pioneer of the airwaves.
So sorry to hear about Barry passing, he was such a strong supporter of my late husband Al Martino. He played all Al’s recordings when he was a DJ in Australia and became a good friend. My condolences to his family. 🙏
I arrived on the GG inn 1969. We lived in Surfers and i went to Miami High. I listened to 4GG any chance i got, and in the evenings i listened to Miss Midnight. Never got to know her real name bu the station and her call sign lives with me todzy at 71 yrs of age. Regards