Scott McKenzie, who has hosted mornings at CBS Hot AC “Mix 105.1” WOMX Orlando since 1991, passed away this morning after a seven year battle with non-Hodgkins blood cancer.
The 59 year old McKenzie had been off the air at WOMX for the past month getting treatment in Philadelphia. He wrote on the station’s site last Friday that he and his wife called a hospice to setup final arrangements.
I sincerely apologize to my friends and family whom I haven’t kept in the loop as chances for success started to slip from our grasp. We literally didn’t know we weren’t going to have a chance to stay in the battle until the last couple of days at Penn and then things, as you can guess, began to get crazy.
Your constant love and support has gotten us through so much during this cancer battle. Knowing you’ve been by our side has been sincerely appreciated by my family on a daily basis. Most of all, thank you for the privilege of waking you up all these years. I am so grateful to call you my Orlando family.
I’m currently hooked up to an oxygen tank to help me take full breaths, but it’s my dream to be able to make it back in the studio with the other corny goofballs for a brief goodbye, and to hold down that microphone “on” switch one more time.
Prior to joining WOMX in 1991 right after it had flipped to Hot AC from CHR “BJ 105” WBJW, McKenzie (real name Scott Friedman) worked in his hometown of Columbus, OH, Tallahassee, and spent a year at 94.5 WZOU Boston. Obituaries to McKenzie have been written by WOMX and The Orlando Sentinel.
While WOMX will pay tribute to McKenzie on-air during Wednesday’s morning show, the loss was filled throughout the Orlando market. Every commercial FM in the market marked McKenzie’s passing on social media.
It is with heavy hearts that we inform you that Orlando Radio Vet, Scott McKenzie has passed away. Scott has been a part…
Posted by K92.3 on Tuesday, August 11, 2015
#OrlandoLovesScott
Posted by Real Radio 104.1 on Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Our hearts are heavy today here at the wolf. Thoughts and prayers are going out to Scott Mckenzie’s family. #OrlandoLovesScott
Posted by The Wolf 103.1 on Tuesday, August 11, 2015
iHeartMedia’s stations went a step further adding McKenzie to their Facebook covers.
I think Mix started in 1990.
Correction: Mix started in September 89, Scott & Erica came on in late 90.
Audio: Scott McKenzie’s interview, recorded in March and aired today. http://mix1051.cbslocal.com/2015/08/12/remembering-scott-mckenzie-his-story-his-words-081215/#.VctiP85Tn-4.twitter