Jim Bohannon dies
November 12, 2022PBRTV stumbled upon this morning’s published obituary for veteran talk host Jim Bohannon. In recent years, Bohannon’s late night program has been heard on KDKA-AM (1020) via Westwood One. Bohannon had also occasionally filled in for local KDKA hosts.
Mr. Bohannon’s radio career began in high school in Lebanon, MO at KLWT. During his college years at Missouri State University, he worked at KICK and KWTO. After serving with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam in 1967-68, he returned stateside and stationed in the Washington, DC area and stations WGAY, WRC, and WTOP. In 1983, he joined the Mutual Network which later became Westwood One where he would host America in the Morning, his own Saturday evening program, and occasionally filling in for Larry King. When King went to CNN, the program became the Jim Bohannon Show heard on nearly 500 stations nationwide. He was the recipient of numerous awards. His seemingly sudden retirement last month came as a shock to many, though many report Bohannon had been off the air for a good portion of the summer. He had been fighting esophageal cancer and was 78 at the time of his death.
Sorry to hear about Jim Bohannon’s passing. Larry King created the late-night radio talk show format, but Jim Bohannon improved it with his creative talent. In addition to filling-in for Larry (before Larry went to TV), Jim expanded the format to Saturday nights. He also showed his wit and wisdom on the “Offbeat” segments during “American in the Morning”. Jim used to always say that his Lebanon, MO radio station’s call letters, KLWT, stood for “Keep Listening, We’re Trying”. Jim never took himself too seriously.
Also, suggest everyone listen to Jim’s last show, archived at jimbohanonshow.com It is intriguing, as Jim interviews his successor, discusses his medical condition, and recaps his career in the course of taking his last night of calls.