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1)A thought or few of Rush in his passing.
I started at KFI in 1989. Rush really took off during the first Gulf War when the support for it was pretty high around the country. He came in to the station a few times and was very gracious to everyone, very much so to me for a still
I started at KFI in 1989. Rush really took off during the first Gulf War when the support for it was pretty high around the country. He came in to the station a few times and was very gracious to everyone, very much so to me for a still
2) inexplicable reason.
He carried himself pretty humbly in person, despite his rising star.
At that time, the show was, in my opinion, still in its "entertainment," phase and he wasn't as extreme as he would become.
The tradition of most talk radio up to that point was
He carried himself pretty humbly in person, despite his rising star.
At that time, the show was, in my opinion, still in its "entertainment," phase and he wasn't as extreme as he would become.
The tradition of most talk radio up to that point was
3) "Here's a topic, pro or con, let's go to the phones." Rush changed all that. He'd monologue most of the time, play some pre-produced bits or parodies, and take calls from fans who agreed with "dittos, Rush."
I took many calls from listeners when we had sunspots during his show
I took many calls from listeners when we had sunspots during his show
4) which caused it to unavoidably drop out for periods of time. Most of them cursed me out and accused ME of cutting his show off because I hated him. Conspiracies have been around a long time, lol.
We had a couple special shows back then called "Meeting of the Mouths," a full
We had a couple special shows back then called "Meeting of the Mouths," a full
5) day of all the hosts in the same room(Rush flew in), moderated by each host during their own time slot. I learned thru that how Rush was different than other "regular" hosts.
The others took the opportunity to sorta gang jump on Rush for his on-air viewpoints.
The others took the opportunity to sorta gang jump on Rush for his on-air viewpoints.
6) Not too outrageous considering it was de rigueur for many(one show was called "Combat Radio.")
Rush didn't handle it well. A fair amount of stammering and not much pushback on his part. I actually felt he was surprised he received so much contention from "peers."
Rush didn't handle it well. A fair amount of stammering and not much pushback on his part. I actually felt he was surprised he received so much contention from "peers."
7) I realized then his style was to have his show in a vacuum. He didn't like confrontation. He just wanted to do his thing with very little on-air pushback.
That style of his served him well and I believe also largely helped create what he became.
A former co-worker has said
That style of his served him well and I believe also largely helped create what he became.
A former co-worker has said
8) similar things and it helped me trudge thru my experience with Rush versus the persona.
I can't speak on Rush after the mid 90's. I can speak on my experience with him before that and can say he absolutely changed how radio was done, regardless of political or social content.
I can't speak on Rush after the mid 90's. I can speak on my experience with him before that and can say he absolutely changed how radio was done, regardless of political or social content.
9) He hadn't been on KFI for a number of years. The fit wasn't right like it was in those earlier days. That's radio.
He helped me realize what I wanted from radio, what I didn't want, and what I wanted to contribute to it.
For that, I thank him.
He helped me realize what I wanted from radio, what I didn't want, and what I wanted to contribute to it.
For that, I thank him.
