Updated: Tribute Set For Paul Harvey
PHOENIX -- March 2, 2009: Paul Harvey, one of the most listened to and most beloved radio personalities in the world, has died at age 90. No word on the cause of death was immediately available. Harvey's wife of 68 years and longtime producer, Lynne "Angel" Harvey, died in May of last year.
"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."
ABC Radio Networks will run a weeklong tribute to Paul Harvey in the morning, midday, and afternoon time slots for News & Comment, the noon report and The Rest of the Story. The special programming will celebrate Harvey's life and career with classic audio and memories of the legendary broadcaster.
Tomorrow's broadcasts will look at Harvey as a newsman, including his experience in the Middle East. Wednesday, focusing on Harvey as a public speaker, will offer some rarely broadcast speeches with his views on broadcasting and journalism. Thursday's broadcasts look at Harvey as a salesman, with his secrets of selling. And Friday's broadcasts will focus on Harvey as a colleague, with favorite recollections from his staff. On Saturday, ABCRN concludes the tributes with a special surprise guest who had a unique relationship with Harvey.
Harvey, born in Tulsa in 1918, began his radio career at that city's KVOO-AM in 1933, when he was still a teenager, working at everything from selling to cleaning up to occasionally announcing a record. Harvey told Radio Ink in a 2006 interview, "It was a very, very good way to grow up in radio; on a small station we learned on-site so much faster, and we learned so many things that they just can't teach in journalism school."
By the time he'd graduated from the University of Tulsa, Harvey was KVOO's PD. He moved on to stations in Kansas, Oklahoma City, and St. Louis, and then, in 1940, to Hawaii to cover the U.S. Navy's operations in the Pacific. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
After the war, Harvey moved to Chicago. The national "News and Comment" went on the air on ABC Radio Networks in 1951. Ultimately, "News and Comment" and the popular "Rest of the Story" feature built a network of more than 1,200 station affiliates and more than 400 Armed Forces Radio stations. Harvey signed a new 10-year contract with ABC Radio Networks in 2001.
ABC Radio Networks President Jim Robinson said in a statement Saturday, "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."
Radio Ink Publisher Eric Rhoads, said, "Paul was not only a good friend, he was a beacon of light for the radio industry. He is our Rembrandt, a master of the craft of radio. His words, stories and presentation were the best example of using the radio to create images. He will be missed."
Harvey told Radio Ink in 2006, "I would love to change the pace and have more family time, if I could just find something I would rather do. I can't find it. I am so disciplined to sit at this typewriter and paint pictures all morning, I can't find anything more fun."
All of us at Radio Ink offer our condolences to the Harvey family.
Tributes To Paul Harvey
Former President George W. Bush, who presented Harvey with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005: "Laura and I are saddened by the death of Paul Harvey. Paul was a friendly and familiar voice in the lives of millions of Americans. His commentary entertained, enlightened, and informed. Laura and I are pleased to have known this fine man, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
WGN/Chicago VP/GM Tom Langmyer: "America has lost an important icon. Paul Harvey was one of the greatest broadcasters of all time. He wove stories of life together in a way that will never be matched. He provided inspiration to countless journalists and broadcasters and touched millions by connecting in a way that was not only informative, but also creative and unique. Paul and the love of his life, Angel, are now together. We were lucky to have had him in our lives."
Arbitron President/CEO Michael Skarzynski: "This weekend we bid a sad goodbye to the incomparable Paul Harvey, who graced the airwaves for more than 70 years and reached more than 25 million each week -- an unparalleled achievement for a radio broadcaster. Paul was a friendly and familiar voice in the lives of Americans. His commentary entertained, enlightened, and informed. Paul Harvey was beloved by his audience, his colleagues, and his sponsors. His ABC Radio Networks programs, 'News and Commentary' and 'The Rest of the Story,' touched our lives while entertaining us all from his distinct point of view.
"The commercials that he read in his unique vocal style were a seamless part of his program. He considered the words of his sponsors as 'good news' that a friend would tell a neighbor about a product or service that could make someone's life easier, better, or simply more enjoyable. In recognition of his lifetime achievements in radio, Paul Harvey was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, for his especially meritorious contribution to our national cultural interests. Radio owes much to Paul Harvey. We would do well to bring to radio in our lifetime what Paul Harvey brought every day to the medium he loved so well. American life was enriched by this fine man, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Museum of Broadcast Communications founder/President Bruce DuMont: "Paul Harvey was the greatest of American broadcasters -- a master of words and speech who brought intellect, dignity, and humor to each broadcast and demonstrated an ability to connect to his audience for over six decades. Radio Hall of Famer Paul Harvey was a proud salesman of products and ideals who had the good fortune to share his life with a personal and professional partner of unlimited grace and class."
DuMont also announced that the museum's upcoming special events venue, where future Radio Hall of Fame inductions will be held, will be called the Paul and Angel Harvey Center.
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(3/3/2009 9:17:25 AM) Yesterday my brother-in-law went to see my 98 year old grandfather to tell him that Mr. Harvey died. He went in and said, "Grandpa, I've got some bad news for you." And then Grandpa said, "Tell me first, did Paul Harvey die?" That's how much Grandpa admired and respected Paul Harvey. |
| - Tammy DeCoteau |
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(3/3/2009 12:59:46 AM) Inreference to comments regarding the 1953 Senior Class from Brownsville High School in Brownsville, Texas, comments were submitted by Ruben Guerra and Berta Barrera Guerra. Goodday |
| - Ruben Guerra |
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(3/3/2009 12:52:26 AM) In 1953, our Brownsville High School senior year sponsor, Mrs. Alma Briggs, suggested as our class project to invite Mr. Paul Harvey to be our speaker at our graduation. We worked to that end and Mr. Paul Harvey honored us with his presence on our graduation night. Furthermore, Paul Harvey made his daily broadcast from our local radio station KBOR in Brownsville, Texas that day. Both of us have been listners of Paul Harvey since and have fond memories of that event in our lives. He truly was a great man. Goodday |
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(3/2/2009 7:35:59 PM) I used to listen to Paul Harvey as a teenager growing up in California. He was one of my inspirations to be a radio broadcaster, which I have been for 41 years.He was such an unusual broadcaster, using factual information and making it is own. His style of informing and entertaining at the same time is something you're born with. Very few have it, he had it in spades.He was truly a legend and will be sorely missed.My prayer is that now he and his beloved "Angel" will be together for "The Rest of Their Love Story".May God bless the Harvey family, and thank's for sharing your marvelous dad and mom with the rest of us fortunate listeners. With Deepest Sympathies, Dave Bowling |
| - Dave Bowling |
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(3/2/2009 7:07:34 PM) I grew up with my dad listening to Paul Harvey in the 1970's and now with 4 kids of my own we still listened to Mr. Harvey. He was an inspirational person and I learned many important issues from his newscasts. He is one of those people that the world will miss. God Bless to Paul Harvey and his family. The world will experience silence with the passing of a great voice of the air. |
| - Jesse Rubio |
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