Legendary Denver Radio Host Charley Martin Dead

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, August 20, 2012 | 2:07pm CT

Legendary Denver radio host, Charley Martin, died last Friday at age 67 reports the Denver Post. Martin was half of "Hal and Charley," the morning team on KHOW/Denver which launched in 1976. "We had a great run. It's been difficult," said Hal Moore, Martin's partner for 28 years. The two started in radio in Des Moines, IA, when Martin was still in high school, working weekends with Moore at KSO, a top 40 station.

"He and my wife went to junior high together," Moore said. "I talked to him every week for the past couple of months. We've kept in real close contact." When Martin's liver failed in June, Moore said, "he realized what he was facing."

Martin joined KHOW in 1969 and was paired with various morning co-hosts, including Rosemary Barnwell (on "The Charley and Barney Show") and Marti Martin. The "Charley and Barney Show," with beauty queen Barnwall, did well in the ratings. Martin would go on to be paired with Moore.

After retiring from broadcasting, Martin taught radio and television at Scottsdale Community College. He is survived by three sons, Kyle of Grinnell IA, Brian of Ames IA and Josh of Denver and three granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karla Wampler Martin, known on the air as "Karla with a K."