This afternoon, via a cheeky song titled ‘I’m F***ing Off!’, The Doctor announced that after 10 years he is leaving triple j to focus on making music.
In January 2005, Lindsay ‘The Doctor’ McDougall clocked on for his first triple j Breakfast show with his friend and Frenzal Rhomb bandmate Jay Whalley. 10 years later, The Doctor has registered 2,200 radio shows, with over 6,100 hours on air, through Brekkie shows with Jay Whalley, Myf Warhurst, Marieke Hardy and Robbie Buck, as well as his own Drive show for the last 5 years.
He has performed around 3520 interviews from 26 Australian cities, from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast, Townsville to Tumby Bay, Cowra to Karratha and everywhere in between. He brought the radio to you from 10 One Night Stand concerts and from fields at Soundwave, Big Day Out, Parklife and Splendour In The Grass, with a combined total of 50 live broadcasts. As well as appeared on two seasons and 80 triple j TV episodes. He has forced his way been invited to guest on 17 guitar spots, with artists like Something For Kate, Kingswood, Ball Park Music, Illy, Art Vs Science, Sticky Fingers and NOFX. In 10 years he accumulated 17 tattoos, including one live in the studio, and achieved 1 number one charity single, ‘Christmas Number One’. If you, like us, are overwhelmed with fuzzy feelings you can check out our handy The Doctor’s Inkographic, for all the incredible things he has achieved over his time at triple j.‘I think my favourite interview with Lindsay so far is when he kept referring to my pregnant belly as my "ukulele ledge"! Chatting with Lindsay's like chatting with an old mate, which is exactly the way you want all interviews to be.’ Missy Higgins
‘We hit it off quickly and it’s been a pleasure to be mates with Lindsay all this time and it’s always been great to switch on the radio and hear his manic energy over the airwaves.' Paul Dempsey
‘Lindsay, the man in the safari suit, the vegan, the guitarist from that punk band that wrote that song about Russell Crow, The Doctor, the man who went head to head with me in a Busk Off... the list just goes on.’ John Butler
‘For some reason I always end up talking nonsensical when Lindsay interviews me. I do recall the words 'toad bib' and even a rant about shifty eye chickens coming up on air!’ Bertie Blackman
‘I remember being terrified before co hosting an hour of Lindsay's show in 2010. His response? "fuck it, just don't swear dude, we'll be fine". Pretty sure I still swore though.’ Illy
‘From the moment we met Lindsay, we were destined to be mates for good. We've had a guitar battle on stage, good times at One Night Stand and been introduced to some sneaky vegan food joints. Cheers for being a good dude.’ Jen from Ball Park Music
‘From live broadcasts in Brisbane, premiering my tracks on his show, graciously MC’ing charity events for me, to just knowing that the dude woke up at 4:30am to bring us good radio. I owe him a debt of gratitude and we should all salute The Doctor!’ Josh Pyke
On Thursday 11th December, triple j will throw a send-off for The Doctor and announce who will be taking over as host of the Drive show in early December.
