 Paul Harvey receives the Presidential Medal Of Freedom |
And now, the rest of the story…
Paul Harvey, the news commentator and talk-radio pioneer whose staccato style made him one of the nation’s most familiar voices, died Saturday in Arizona, according to ABC Radio Networks. He was 90.
Harvey had been forced off the air for several months in 2001 because of a virus that weakened a vocal cord. But he returned to work in Chicago and was still active as he passed his 90th birthday. His death comes less than a year after that of his wife and longtime producer, Lynne.
“My father and mother created from thin air what one day became radio and television news,” Paul Harvey Jr. said in a statement. “So in the past year, an industry has lost its godparents and today millions have lost a friend.”
At the peak of his career, Harvey reached more than 24 million listeners on more than 1,200 radio stations and charged $30,000 to give a speech. His syndicated column was carried by 300 newspapers.
In 1976, Harvey began broadcasting his anecdotal descriptions of the lives of famous people. “The Rest of the Story” started chronologically, with the person’s identity revealed at the end. The stories were an attempt to capture “the heartbeats behind the headlines.”
In 2000, at age 82, he signed a new 10-year contract with ABC Radio Networks. This listener will certainly miss him greatly.
I just heard the Liz Smith lost her Gossip columnist job. Though she probably should have retired years ago. Another victim of newspapers downsizing. And besides, does anyone actually read gossip anymore? When there’s three or four Tv shows devoted to it? I’m sure newspaper will be dumping a lot of space wasteful columns. Especially ones that don’t promote a product, whose producer pays for the coverage. I doubt any movie stars or politicians pay for being gossiped about. But then you never know. Maybe they use to pay Liz not to be gossiped about. And this protection scam finally lost steam. I guess Liz will have to move onto the “tell all” book scam, now.
#20 drunner2, very well said.
You would do Paul Harvey proud, and I mean that in a good way!
I remember listening to him on my way to physical chemisty class in college really really early in the mornings. Argh… not good times! Not his fault though.
Bickering aside, I’m not terribly familiar with Mr. Harvey’s work apart from his signature lines and various impersonations of him, and the same can probably be said for most people my age. But there’s no denying his place in broadcasting history, and he’s yet another in a long line of old-time personalities we will never see the likes of again (in terms of sheer profile) in this fickle, new media age of ours.
The fact that Paul Harvey was one of a kind, and apparently nobody’s lining up to replace him, kind of speaks for itself. He was a popular voice personality. But little more than that. If he were really that popular for what he said, there would be half a dozen imitators on the radio and Tv. Just as there are all those Limbaugh wannabes, on both political sides. So I’ve no doubt that many tuned into Harvey, just to hear his Mark Twain styled stories. Nice, comforting Americana. Which doesn’t work in the print media, as well, without the voice. And doesn’t work on Tv either, if what’s said doesn’t satisfy the media moguls’ politics.
Like Charles Shultz’s comic characters. Paul Harvey’s pieces could simply be rerun, after his death. And most wouldn’t be the wiser, or be just as entertained as before. I’m sure it’s all quite timeless, banter.
Paul was a true and wonderful American the old fashioned way.He will be missed and a sad loss for radio,but his wit,temperment and tone will be remembered by many of us for a long time,thanks for the memories.
Limbaugh actually considers Harvey his role model – and thinks he replaces him.
I worked a tiny bit with Harvey via a firm I worked for and he was as cold and calculating about biz and sponsorship as any radio shark.
Neither of those are political criticisms. But, holding the dude as some rock idol is hilarious.
Certainly an amazing person
You would not think that he would be around for so long
And active as well – its not as if he was on one long summer vacation at the lake
R.I.P. Heard him now and then. Seemed like a nice human being.
Those are not idiots because they’re “libs” they’re idiots, period.
His schtick wasn’t for everyone, but the fact that he was on 1200 radio stations counts for something. He got old and became an anachronism, bfd. No matter what, he’s an icon of the broadcasting industry. The original blogger.
#11 Whether I reviewed my comment before I posted or not, most people seem to agree that you’re an inconsiderate imbecile, so it must make some sort of sense. And yes, you are entitled to your opinion, which also entitles me and everyone else on this blog to call you an idiot because of it.
#16 I can see you have integrity just like your little friend here.
#18 I don’t know if it is actually John or not, but either way, it’s spot on.
#20 Unfortunately, your Ted Kennedy part will probably be true.
#30 Agreed
I always enjoyed, The rest of the story.
He did a good job on that.
Thats all I knew about the guy though.
The rest of the story just worked with his voice.
Sorry to here he died.
It always surprises me when someone who I thought was already dead passes away.
I’d heard of him and heard him on the radio without knowing his politics. Guess all that doesn’t matter now.
May we all live to be that old (hopefully older).
Hyper-conservative, Jebus-believing, jingoistic America-is-the-bestest flagwaver.
Why should we pretend to be sad when a prick like that dies? The Repugs are going to dance on Ted Kennedy’s grave and celebrate when he passes.
I LIKED PAUL HARVEY.
I WOULD ALWAYS GO OUT OF MY WAY TO LISTEN TO HIS TAKE ON THINGS. HE WAS LIKE A FATHER FIGURE FOR ME.
well that sucks..
-another slice of American history gone to the archives.
i grew up listening to his ‘rest of the story’
and even in the last several years, at least 3 out of 5 days would try to always catch him on AM770 right before the 12′oclock news if the radio wasn’t on already. -some of the stories would leave you saying “no sh*t” on occasion..
bummer.
R.I.P Paul Harvey,
-many thanks for the many years of smiles.
-s
wow…just read the comments.
some of you people are a waste of human life.
ffs, can’t you put your politics aside for one second?
shameful.
-s
I created an online memorial for Paul. Please visit and leave a thought, prayer, light a candle, etc. Rest in Peace Paul!
http://www.ilasting.com/paulharvey.php
He was okay, not great. I listened to him occasionally because his short was between 2 radio programs I listened to so it was unavoidable.
All I remember was that he hocked sta-bil oil additive and gave his news stories a subtle rightwing tinge. Even he couldn’t resist a jab against modern progressivism, but I let him slide, he’s an old man from a previous, less educated generation.