Veteran L.A. Personality Uncle Joe Benson Dead at 77

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, February 27, 2026 | 6:01pm CT

Uncle Joe Benson (Photo Credit: Michael Schwartz)

Veteran Los Angeles radio personality Uncle Joe Benson, whose distinctive baritone became a staple of Southern California rock radio for decades, has died at 77 following a battle with Parkinson's Disease.

News of his passing was shared via the Facebook page for his program, "Uncle Joe's Garage," just after midnight Pacific Time on Friday. According to family members, Benson died peacefully on February 24 from Parkinson's Disease, Parkinson's Dementia and complications from a fall.

Benson spent more than 30 years at KLOS-FM (95.5), where he became one of the heritage rocker's most recognizable voices. He first joined the station in 1980 during a fiercely competitive era in Los Angeles radio that included rivals such as KMET and the then-emerging KROQ. His tenure at KLOS spanned two stints totaling three decades.

Beyond KLOS, Benson was heard at KLSX-FM, KCBS-FM during its "Arrow 93.1" era, and KSWD-FM, where he hosted middays until the station signed off in 2017.

Among his most popular programs was "The 7th Day" on KLOS, where he played a full album every Sunday night. He also hosted "Local Licks," a show credited with helping introduce emerging Los Angeles artists - including Motley Crue - to a wider audience.

Nationally, Benson hosted the syndicated "Ultimate Classic Rock" from 2021 to 2024 and helmed the long-running weekend specialty show "Off The Record" from 1998 through January 2025. Over the years, he conducted in-depth interviews with artists including Jimmy Page, Don Felder, Pat Benatar and Steve Perry, often turning short interview slots into extended conversations.

Benson's radio career began in 1968 in Illinois, broadcasting from a double-wide trailer next to a cornfield. He later worked in Wisconsin and Cleveland before arriving in Los Angeles in 1980.

He is survived by his wife, Jan, and sons Jay and Jeremy. The family has requested that donations in his memory be made to the Brain Donor Project or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.