Tributes have been paid to Andrew Crothers, the Managing Director of Singapore-based RADIOactive, who died suddenly on Friday aged 40.

Australian-born Crothers, who spent the majority of his professional life in Singapore and became a permanent resident, has been described as an “exceptional radio talent” and “a loss to our industry”.

The company, which he co-founded with friend and colleague Aloysius Tan in 2008, provides the infrastructure and software that many of the region’s top radio networks rely on to stream their content online.

Tan emailed this personal message to Asia Radio Today:

“Many of us knew Drew for many things. His intelligent wit, his unparalleled skills in audio production, his silky smooth familiar voice that is heard almost everywhere, his insights into UI and UX design, his god given talent for music, his passion and vision for Radio, and his compassion and love for his family and friends. I’ve been extremely blessed to have had the privilege and honour to be his friend and colleague in Radio and for the past 6 years, his partner in RADIOactive. I stand humbled in his shadow. “

“We’ve lost a friend and a leader at RADIOactive. I believe I speak for everyone who knows Drew that we will miss him deeply. But as we grieve in our own way, we are strengthened and extremely touched by the generous outpouring of well wishes and support from all our friends in the industry, both from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and from around the world. I know we will continue to learn and grow from this experience and be stronger and better. It is the only way that we know how to honour the memory of a friend. Be at peace my friend. We got your back.”

Jayaram Gopinath Nagaraj, Senior Assistant Vice President of Astro Radio Digital, told Asia Radio Today:

“Me and my team are all equally devastated. We’re all mourning his passing.  Andrew and Aloysius came by and met us a few years ago and Astro Radio was their first big client in Malaysia.  Andrew came across like no-one I’ve ever met. He truly knew radio and really understood programming and technology. He was one of the few people that truly understood both the traditional and the new digital age of radio.  He would often make recommendations despite the fact he wouldn’t personally benefit from them.  He was a great guy to consult with and he worked over and above expectations to get our systems up and running.  He did Australia proud and Singapore proud.”

Malaysia’s Star Radio Group (SRG) is another of RADIOactive’s clients in Malaysia. Kudsia Kahar, Chief Operating Officer of SRG gave the following reaction to Asia Radio Today.

“This has come as such a shock to us. Vishnu (SRG’s Digital Content and Platform Director) and I have known Andrew and Aloysius for a few years now, from our days with another broadcasting company. They’re not only (via Radioactive) our app provider for SRG, but over the years we have become friends. I know this must be a devastating loss not just for Andrew’s family, but for Aloysius as well. They were like brothers. We’re trying to wrap our heads around this as well.”

Before setting up the company, Crothers spent 11 years as Creative Director for MediaCorp Radio, Singapore’s largest broadcaster. Florence Lian,  Managing Director of MediaCorp Radio described his passion for the business in her tribute.

“Andrew was an exceptional radio talent. He joined us as Creative Director in 1997 responsible for all trailer productions on the Number 1 English station Class 95FM & the uber-hip Lush 99.5FM. But his contributions went far beyond just imaging the station – he was a rare radio talent who truly cared about progressing the stations & about the people he worked with.  More importantly, Andrew was an exceptional human being – intelligent, articulate, funny, wise beyond his years & a very decent man. A loss to our industry”.

Another MediaCorp colleague Vernetta Lopez, co-host of The Gold Breakfast Show on Gold 90.5FM paid this tribute:

“Andrew Crothers was a brilliant mind and a very talented man. His voice was one thing, his production skills were another but his talent in making the mundane hilarious, his observations on life, his innate ability to make you laugh, the way he’d make you have to  think five steps ahead, and that’s when you realise you’ve only JUST caught up  with him.

He was always a good friend to me. He always looked out for me and gave me support when I needed it. I still have a book he gave me which was about a simple rock that travelled the path that life’s road offered; it was difficult at times; at others it was a thrilling downhill  ride. But he was strong little thing no matter what bumps in the road appeared. That was his way of support and love. That was the greatness of the man. I shall miss his humour, his candour, his spirit for life, and incredible love he had for his family. RIP Andrew.”

Crothers co-created The Don & Drew Show with fellow musician and singer Don Richmond, which aired on 987FM.  The show became famous as the pair improvised the writing and mixing of a new song while on air.

Richmond spoke about his personal loss on Twitter at the weekend.

“I will miss you every single day for the rest of my life my friend. You opened up to only a few and those few who are as lucky as I got to witness unlimited generosity, genuine care and concern, and a friend who always put others first over himself. I miss the times you made me laugh and even more so, I miss the times you made me cry. I cry for a different reason now because we will never get to do the things we said we were going to do while catching up over drinks a month ago.”

“But man, did we do some great stuff together. We were in the trenches together and we fought some great battles. We hugged the longest hug the last time we met and picked up right where we left each other like all great friends do and you told me you missed me. Well, I can’t say it enough then and I can’t say it enough now. I miss you. A little piece of my soul has left me and it cannot be replaced simply because there is no one on this planet quite like you. I love you Drew, so much, but you’ve always known that.”

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