Legendary Radio Host Jim Bohannon Dead From Cancer

RADIO ONLINE | Saturday, November 12, 2022 | 10:13pm CT

Jim Bohannon

Sad to report that Jim Bohannon, host of Westwood One's syndicated talk show, "The Jim Bohannon Show" has died from cancer. He was 78. Bohannon was NAB's Broadcasting Hall of Fame 2022 radio inductee. "The Jim Bohannon Show" aired from 10pm-1am weekdays on over 300 radio stations. A 50-year-plus broadcasting veteran, Bohannon spent over 31 years as host of the early morning weekday news magazine, "America in the Morning," for which he still provided interviews and his feature "The Offbeat." He previously hosted the weekend news magazine "America This Week."

NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt said, "Our industry has lost a legend in the passing of Jim Bohannon, who embodied the spirt of broadcasting. His charismatic nature, distinct style and engaging programs have left an enduring mark on radio and the generations of audiences whose lives he touched. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be a guest on his show and was honored to induct him into NAB's Broadcasting Hall of Fame earlier this year. We offer our deepest condolences to Jim's family, friends and fans."

Bohannon began his radio career in 1960 at KLWT-AM in his hometown of Lebanon, Missouri. Following college and military service during the Vietnam War, he returned to radio in the Washington, D.C. market, covering news at both WTOP-AM and WWRC-AM. He later worked as a morning anchor at WCFL-FM in Chicago and as a freelance reporter for CNN.

He hosted his own Saturday night phone-in program starting in 1984 and served as the principal back-up for Larry King on the "Larry King Show." In February of 1993, Bohannon took over the prestigious nighttime radio talk show slot formerly held by King. Bohannon joined Westwood One in 1983 and has anchored newscasts, political conventions and election night coverage in addition to his weekday programs.

Bohannon was a recipient of a Special Recognition First Amendment Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association and was named by TALKERS magazine editorial board as the 2013 recipient of the publication's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2003, and into the Missouri Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2020.