Conservative Talk icon Rush Limbaugh passed away today at the age of 70 from lung cancer.
Limbaugh’s wife Kathryn made the announcement this morning at the start of his show today.
Limbaugh was one of the radio talents who most influenced the industry as he was fully responsible for Talk radio’s shift from broader topics to being primarily focused on Conservative politics. He began his career in 1971 at 1360 WIXZ McKeesport PA under the air name ‘Jeff Christie’ before moving to 1410 KQV Pittsburgh in 1973. In 1975 he became PD/afternoon host at Disco formatted 98.1 KUDL-FM Kansas City and then hosted nights at 1140 KFIX.
Limbaugh would leave radio in 1979 and spent four years in sales for MLB’s Kansas City Royals before joining Full Service AC 980 KMBZ in 1983 and for the first time utilizing his given name. Limbaugh lasted less than a year at KMBZ before being fired and then hired at 1530 KFBK Sacramento. It was at KFBK where he began his evolution to Talk host succeeding Morton Downey Jr. in middays. EFM Media would take Limbaugh national in July 1988 relocating him to be based at 770 WABC New York. Led by former ABC Radio President Ed McLaughlin, EFM Media would be sold to Jacor in 1997 and eventually be folded into Clear Channel and its Premiere Networks although Limbaugh ownded the majority of his show branded as being part of his EIB Network. Since 2006, Limbaugh has hosted his show from studios at his home in Palm Beach FL.
Limbaugh hosted a syndicated television spin-off of his show from 1992 to 1996 and had a three week stint on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown prior to resigning following comments about then Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. He signed a four year contract extension with Premiere in January 2020 just prior to being diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Limbaugh was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1998. He was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the 2020 State of the Union Address, the day after his cancer diagnosis.
On his final show on December 23, Limbaugh ended his program stating, “I know so many people think this program has changed their lives for the better. You have no idea what you all have meant to me and my family. The day’s gonna come, folks, where I’m not gonna be able to do this. I don’t know when that is. I want to be able to do it for as long as I want to do it.
I want to, but the day will come where I’m not going to be able to, and I want you to understand that even when the day comes, I’d like to be here. ‘Cause I have this sense of needing to constantly show my appreciation for all that you have done and meant to me. So I hope you all have a great Christmas, a great New Year, and I hope that the things that are in store for all of us in the coming year are certainly better than what we have endured in 2020.
I don’t know too many people who’ve enjoyed 2020. There are probably some sickos out there who have. But 2021 has to be better. We’re gonna try to make it that way here at the EIB Network. Again, folks, thank you so much. I wish there were a way to say it other than “thank you.” You’re just the best. My family is just the best. Thank you. Merry Christmas, everybody, from all of us to all of you. Make it happen!”
