USA Today: (Feb. 28) -- Radio legend Paul Harvey, whose news and commentary segments always ended with his distinctive sign-off, "Paul Harvey....good day," died Saturday at the age of 90, ABC Radio Network says. Network spokesman Louis Adams says Harvey died Saturday at his winter home in Phoenix, surrounded by family. No cause of death was immediately available.
Harvey never viewed himself as a newsman, even though some 18 million people tuned into his daily reports to hear his 15-minute take on the day's events. "I'm a professional parade watcher who can't wait to get out of bed every morning and rush down to the teletypes to pan for gold," he told CNN's Larry King in 1988. That he did with a vengeance since those teletype days in 1951, arriving at his Chicago studio in the pre-dawn hours to produce two news and commentary segments and his evening The Rest of the Story (written by his son, Paul) which were carried on some 1,100 radio stations and 400 Armed Forces Radio Network stations. He based himself in Chicago, flew aboard his Lear jet to give corporate speeches and commuted by limo each day from his 27-room home in suburban River Forest, Ill., to his 16th floor studio above a street sign that reads Paul Harvey Drive. When Harvey was 81 in 2000, his sole employer for all those years, ABC Radio Networks, signed him to a 10-year, $100 million contract. Rivals who had lost in the bidding told him they'd be back in 2010. Harvey's ability to sell products in advertisements, via spots that read and which flowed seamlessly from his news stories, were legendary. He is considered the greatest radio salesman of all time and sponsors — only one in 15 were accepted — were required to sign on for at least a year......
I posted this because Paul Harvey was, to me and millions of others, an American icon. I first started listening to him in 1978 as a know it all teenager while driving a wheat truck for a Custom Harvest crew in Nebraska and his commentary was a constant and positive influence upon me. I listened to Paul Harvey when I wouldn't listen to my own father. For years afterwards, I ate breakfast with Bryant Gumbel, lunch with Paul Harvey and supper with Tom Brokaw... Contrary to what the experts tell us, lunch was the most important meal of the day.
You didn't have to agree with Paul Harvey to enjoy listening to him and that might've been the best thing about his broadcasts. I never had the honor of meeting the man in person, but I still feel this morning as if I've lost a dear, dear friend.
The_Kansan: USA Today: (Feb. 28) -- Radio legend Paul Harvey, whose news and commentary segments always ended with his distinctive sign-off, "Paul Harvey....good day," died Saturday at the age of 90, ABC Radio Network says. Network spokesman Louis Adams says Harvey died Saturday at his winter home in Phoenix, surrounded by family. No cause of death was immediately available.
Harvey never viewed himself as a newsman, even though some 18 million people tuned into his daily reports to hear his 15-minute take on the day's events. "I'm a professional parade watcher who can't wait to get out of bed every morning and rush down to the teletypes to pan for gold," he told CNN's Larry King in 1988. That he did with a vengeance since those teletype days in 1951, arriving at his Chicago studio in the pre-dawn hours to produce two news and commentary segments and his evening The Rest of the Story (written by his son, Paul) which were carried on some 1,100 radio stations and 400 Armed Forces Radio Network stations. He based himself in Chicago, flew aboard his Lear jet to give corporate speeches and commuted by limo each day from his 27-room home in suburban River Forest, Ill., to his 16th floor studio above a street sign that reads Paul Harvey Drive. When Harvey was 81 in 2000, his sole employer for all those years, ABC Radio Networks, signed him to a 10-year, $100 million contract. Rivals who had lost in the bidding told him they'd be back in 2010. Harvey's ability to sell products in advertisements, via spots that read and which flowed seamlessly from his news stories, were legendary. He is considered the greatest radio salesman of all time and sponsors — only one in 15 were accepted — were required to sign on for at least a year......I posted this because Paul Harvey was, to me and millions of others, an American icon. I first started listening to him in 1978 as a know it all teenager while driving a wheat truck for a Custom Harvest crew in Nebraska and his commentary was a constant and positive influence upon me. I listened to Paul Harvey when I wouldn't listen to my own father. For years afterwards, I ate breakfast with Bryant Gumbel, lunch with Paul Harvey and supper with Tom Brokaw... Contrary to what the experts tell us, lunch was the most important meal of the day.
You didn't have to agree with Paul Harvey to enjoy listening to him and that might've been the best thing about his broadcasts. I never had the honor of meeting the man in person, but I still feel this morning as if I've lost a dear, dear friend.
A legend who had such wonderful stories of everyday life that he so eloquently related to those of us in the radio listening world. May he have Good Days forever.
Just saw this on the morning news - sad to see the loss of a great storyteller - very positive and inspiring! May he rest in peace and bring his wisdom to the angels.
The Kansan - I'm not an American but I am impressed that somebody had such a beneficial influence on you via the medium of the radio.
Many of us in the UK listened weekly to 'Letter from America' for many years that was written by an Englishman who I believe eventually took US citizenship........ Alistair Cooke (though that wasn't his real first name) - his lucid commentaries about how American people felt gave many non-Americans an insight into what made/makes your nation great and the fears and hopes and aspirations of your people.
Heck, as a kid I even remember listening to Alistair Cooke on the BBC world service while living in the Congo..... his measured tones painted a wonderful picture - and whatever his own personal political views were he did his best to give an impartial view of all the undercurrents running through American society.
The_Kansan: Apparently, he was at his winter home when he passed away. I'm sure he'll back on the golf course more frequently now, you just won't see him...
Yes Don, he was here when he passed yesterday. Local news channels said his family was with him.
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(Feb. 28) -- Radio legend Paul Harvey, whose news and commentary segments always ended with his distinctive sign-off, "Paul Harvey....good day," died Saturday at the age of 90, ABC Radio Network says.
Network spokesman Louis Adams says Harvey died Saturday at his winter home in Phoenix, surrounded by family. No cause of death was immediately available.
Harvey never viewed himself as a newsman, even though some 18 million people tuned into his daily reports to hear his 15-minute take on the day's events.
"I'm a professional parade watcher who can't wait to get out of bed every morning and rush down to the teletypes to pan for gold," he told CNN's Larry King in 1988.
That he did with a vengeance since those teletype days in 1951, arriving at his Chicago studio in the pre-dawn hours to produce two news and commentary segments and his evening The Rest of the Story (written by his son, Paul) which were carried on some 1,100 radio stations and 400 Armed Forces Radio Network stations.
He based himself in Chicago, flew aboard his Lear jet to give corporate speeches and commuted by limo each day from his 27-room home in suburban River Forest, Ill., to his 16th floor studio above a street sign that reads Paul Harvey Drive.
When Harvey was 81 in 2000, his sole employer for all those years, ABC Radio Networks, signed him to a 10-year, $100 million contract. Rivals who had lost in the bidding told him they'd be back in 2010.
Harvey's ability to sell products in advertisements, via spots that read and which flowed seamlessly from his news stories, were legendary. He is considered the greatest radio salesman of all time and sponsors — only one in 15 were accepted — were required to sign on for at least a year......
I posted this because Paul Harvey was, to me and millions of others, an American icon. I first started listening to him in 1978 as a know it all teenager while driving a wheat truck for a Custom Harvest crew in Nebraska and his commentary was a constant and positive influence upon me. I listened to Paul Harvey when I wouldn't listen to my own father. For years afterwards, I ate breakfast with Bryant Gumbel, lunch with Paul Harvey and supper with Tom Brokaw... Contrary to what the experts tell us, lunch was the most important meal of the day.
You didn't have to agree with Paul Harvey to enjoy listening to him and that might've been the best thing about his broadcasts. I never had the honor of meeting the man in person, but I still feel this morning as if I've lost a dear, dear friend.
Heaven has gained another excellent commentator.