Bazz & Pilko to reunite on FIVEaa for charity

Radio icons Barry Ion and Tony Pilkington, or Bazz & Pilko, will be back on air on Friday as part of FIVEaa’s bid to raise money for Variety, the Children’s Charity.

They will feature as part of FIVEaa and Variety’s Radiothon, now running for its sixth year.

Ion is a former Australian rules footballer, and first hit the airwaves in 1960, commentating on matches while still playing for the Carlton Rovers.

He first teamed up with Pilkington in the 1970s. The show ran in Adelaide until 1984, and then moved to Sydney until 1991. They were back in Adelaide in 1996.

Following years of semi-retirement, Pilkington returned to FIVE to host Afternoons from 12:30pm to 3pm.

Pilkington said Ion had obviously been listening to his solo show.

“Bazz has obviously been listening to the show and has decided that I need a hand. It will be great to catch up and lend a hand for such a great cause,” he said.

Ion was also enthusiastic about helping out the cause.

“I haven’t seen Pilko for a few years. The last time I saw him, he was trying to talk to Shane Warne about his hair and Jenny Craig about his diet. It will be good to catch up and talk about old times, but I don’t think our memories will go back 20 years all that easily. It’s fantastic to be able to help Variety – they’re a great mob of people doing brilliant things.”

The day will kick off with FIVEaa Breakfast with David Penberthy & Will Goodings (6am to 9am), then flow into Mornings with Leon Byner (9am to 12pm). Bazz & Pilko will take over from 12:30pm to 3pm, before Stephen Rowe and Mark Bickley (Rowey & Bicks) run until 6pm.

Variety CEO Mark McGill said: “With the challenges our state has faced this year, the Variety Radiothon will be dedicated to making this Christmas one to remember for disadvantaged kids in SA. We could not be more grateful for the support of FIVEaa and the anticipated generous support of the South Australian community to make this event another great success.”

Listeners will have the opportunity to bid on items including an Australian Outdoor Living Swimming Pool package worth more than $40,000, an outdoor kitchen package courtesy of Adelaide Outdoor Kitchens, and an NRG Solar System.