Posted by chicagomedia.org on March 01, 2009 at 14:12:32:
Paul Harvey dead at 90
Radio legend Paul Harvey has died
by Chicago Tribune
7:35 PM CST, February 28, 2009
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Broadcasting legend Paul Harvey has died at age 90.
ABC Radio Networks spokesman Louis Adams said Harvey died today in a Phoenix hospital, near his winter home, surrounded by family members.
ABC Radio Networks President Jim Robinson released the following statement:
"Paul Harvey was one of the most gifted and beloved broadcasters in our nation's history. As he delivered the news each day with his own unique style and commentary, his voice became a trusted friend in American households.
"His career in radio spanned more than seven decades, during which time countless millions of listeners were both informed and entertained by his 'News & Comment' and 'Rest of the Story' features.
"Even after the passing of his loving wife Angel in May 2008, Paul would not slip quietly into retirement as he continued to take the microphone and reach out to his audience. We will miss our dear friend tremendously and are grateful for the many years we were so fortunate to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers are now with his son Paul Jr. and the rest of the Harvey family."
"Paul Harvey was the most listened to man in the history of radio," said Bruce DuMont, president of the Museum of Broadcast Communications and host of the nationally syndicated radio program "Beyond the Beltway." "There is no one who will ever come close to him."
Dumont said Harvey had a litmus test for all his stories: Would Aunt Betty care about this? He thought about the interest level of his real Aunt Betty to get away from "highfalutin" foreign affairs discussions to discuss "meat and potato" issues like health care, Dumont said.
Harvey rejected numerous offers to move his show to the east coast so he could stay in Chicago, DuMont said. He did this to "stay in touch with his listeners and the American people," DuMont said.
Before Rush Limbaugh and George Will became household conservative commentators, there was Paul Harvey, DuMont said.
"From a political standpoint, he was in the vanguard of conservative political thought," DuMont said. "Barry Goldwater used to listen to Paul Harvey. That's the real power of the guy."
DuMont said one of Harvey's most notable broadcasts was in 1972 when he said, "Mr. President, I love you, but you're wrong." Harvey was the first conservative commentator to suggest the Vietnam War was wrong and Nixon should resign, DuMont said.