One of great American voices signed off yesterday when broadcasting pioneer Paul Harvey passed away at age 90.
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Paul Harvey, who captivated millions of radio listeners daily with his staccato delivery, firmly set opinions and old-fashioned outlook, died on Saturday at the age of 90, ABC News said.
Harvey died at a hospital near his winter home in Phoenix, the network said. No cause of death was immediately available.
He was on the air for more than 60 years, becoming a fixture across the United States in 1951 when he joined ABC Radio.
Working out of Chicago, Harvey started his show each day by barking, “Hello, Americans, this is Paul Harvey! Stand by for news!” and would sign off with a forceful “Paul Harvey … good day!” In between, he flung out a variety of trademark phrases that listeners came to expect like, “Stay tuned for the rest of the story” and “May I have your undivided for just a moment.”
Harvey’s twice-daily radio broadcasts at one time reached an estimated 22 million listeners who tuned in for his observations, homespun wisdom and opinions on the news.
It’s hard to image a world without Paul Havery he’s been the voice of the American heartland decades.
Godspeed Paul,we’ll miss you.