Rush Limbaugh Dead At 70

Limbaugh

RUSH LIMBAUGH, the talk radio host who redefined the format during his over thirty years in syndication, has died after a battle with lung cancer. He was 70.

LIMBAUGH, a member of the NATIONAL RADIO HALL OF FAME and the NAB HALL OF FAME, began his radio career as a disc jockey at KGMO-A in his hometown of CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO and then, under the air name "JEFF CHRISTIE," at WIXZ-A (1971-73) and KQV-A (1973-74)/PITTSBURGH; he hosted at KUDL and KFIX/KANSAS CITY before going into sales for the KANSAS CITY ROYALS.

Resuming his career at KMBZ-A/KANSAS CITY in 1983 under his real name, he moved to KFBK-A/SACRAMENTO in 1984, where his success led to former ABC RADIO Pres. ED MCLAUGHLIN bringing him to NEW YORK in 1988, first with a local show at WABC-A and then in syndication via MCLAUGHLIN's EFM MEDIA (which LIMBAUGH dubbed the "Excellence in Broadcasting Network," or "EIB") and, later, PREMIERE NETWORKS.

He hosted a syndicated TV show in 1992-96, wrote several books, and briefly appeared on ESPN's MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL before exiting in controversy.

LIMBAUGH was revered by conservatives but his views and commentaries drew criticism from many quarters and he was involved in several controversies over the years, from claiming that MICHAEL J. FOX was faking the extent of his Parkinson's disease and calling law student SANDRA FLUKE, an opponent of insurance coverage mandates against contraception, a "Prostitute" to issuing misinformation on the COVID-19 coronavirus, which he termed "the common cold," and the 2020 election, about which he spread President TRUMP's false claims of fraud. He became addicted to prescription drugs and was arrested in 2006 on a charge of doctor shopping for opioid prescriptions, but the case was settled. In 2001, LIMBAUGH announced that he had lost his hearing, and received cochlear implants to restore partial hearing.

LIMBAUGH was also known for charitable work raising funds for the LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY, the TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION, and the MARINE CORPS-LAW ENFORCEMENT FOUNDATION. He won the NAB's MARCONI AWARD five times and was controversially awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President TRUMP in 2020.

Married four times, he is survived by KATHRYN ROGERS (a/k/a KATHRYN ADAMS LIMBAUGH), whom he married in 2010. The show will air "best of" segments with guest hosts moderating for the near term while a successor for the time slot is determined.

“We’re deeply saddened by our dear friend RUSH’s passing and share our deepest condolences with his wife KATHRYN and the entire family,” said IHEARTMEDIA Pres./COO/CFO RICH BRESSLER. “Over the past year, RUSH bravely shared his cancer battle with his listeners, inspiring and encouraging anyone suffering from illness. With ‘talent on loan from God,’ RUSH led the talk radio format for more than 30 years -- a feat no other could have accomplished -- and he set the standard for all those who followed. He was beloved by millions of fans across the country and we share the loss of their fearless leader.”

“RUSH has had an incredible impact on my life and on the lives of all of our listeners,” said PREMIERE NETWORKS Pres. JULIE TALBOTT. “Over the many years we worked together RUSH was a wonderful and inspiring colleague, and he will surely be missed.”

NAB Pres/CEO GORDON SMITH said, “RUSH LIMBAUGH was a trailblazer on broadcast radio who brought a vast listenership to radio in general and to the AM band in particular. NAB extends condolences to his family, friends and the millions of listeners who will miss his unique presence on radio.”

Check out the MIX GROUP's audio tribute here.

And, ART "RADIO'S BEST FRIEND" VUOLO created a video tribute to RUSH comprised mainly of video he'd personally captured over the years.  See it here.

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