Ken Sparkes

Ken Sparkes
Born(1940-07-20)20 July 1940
Sydney, Australia
Died11 September 2016(2016-09-11) (aged 76)
Paris, France
NationalityAustralian
Occupations
  • Radio and television personality (actor, singer and host)
  • disc jockey
  • voice-over artist
  • journalist
  • sportscaster/commentator
  • pop singer
  • record label founder
Years active1956–2016
EmployerNine Network
Known forThe Voice of Channel 9

Ken Sparkes (20 July 1940 – 11 September 2016) was an Australian radio presenter, television personality (actor, singer, host), disc jockey and voice-over artist, he also worked as an investigative journalist, sportscaster/commentator and launched briefly a pop career and co-founded his own record label. He was a presenter of radio programs, including presenting the breakfast program on Adelaide's 5KA. His early career was at Melbourne's 3UZ, before launching a career in television in the mid-60's.

He had one of the best known media voices in Australia and was known for years as the "voice of Channel 9".[1] His voice was well known as a booth announcer for the Nine Network and Network Ten. He was host of pop music show Kommotion, for the 0-10 Network, and appeared on Bandstand on the Nine Network.

Sparkes died of a heart attack on 11 September 2016, while hosting a river cruise in France.[2]

His funeral was held at the Camelia Chapel in Macquarie Park Crematorium, Sydney on Friday 30 September 2016.[3]

  1. ^ "Catch up with Ken Sparkes". 4bc.com.au. 22 October 2012. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  2. ^ Cashmere, Paul (11 September 2016). "R.I.P. Australian Radio Veteran Ken Sparkes 1940-2016 - Noise11.com". www.noise11.com. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  3. ^ "Obituaries | the West Announcements". m.westannouncements.com.au. Retrieved 3 October 2016.