Equal Time Radio Show

From The Washington Post:

Paul Harvey, 90, a Chicago-based radio broadcaster whose authoritative baritone voice and distinctive staccato delivery attracted millions of daily listeners for more than half a century, died Feb. 28 in Phoenix.

A spokesman for ABC Radio Network told the Associatd Press that Mr. Harvey died at his winter home, surrounded by family. No cause of death was immediately available.

Mr. Harvey was the voice of the American heartland. Decades before devoted listeners tuned in to Rush Limbaugh, Howard Stern or Don Imus, an audience of some — million at its peak –was tuned in mornings and at noon to Harvey’s trademark greeting: “Hello Americans! This is Paul Harvey. Stand by! For news!”

When I was a child in the 1950s and into the 1960s, I can remember listening to Paul Harvey.   Many generations have listened to Paul Harvey — he had the longest broadcast show in history, being on the air for 75 years.

While people tend to think of Rush Limbaugh being THE big name in radio, Paul Harvey had him beat many times over with 22 million listeners at any given time.  In 1985, a survey found that the four most popular radio programs on the air nationally were, in descending order, “Paul Harvey News and Comment” on weekday mornings, “Paul Harvey News and Comment” weekdays at noon, the Saturday “Paul Harvey News and Comment” at noon on Saturday, and “The Rest of the Story” each weekday afternoon.

The Rest of the Story was my favorite.  Without divulging who or what he was talking about at the beginning of the segment, he would weave this very interesting story about this famous person or place.  The fun part was trying to guess who it was he was talking about.  At the end he would tell you, and most of the time it would surprise you.

Rest in peace, Mr. Harvey.  You will be missed.