Veteran Air Personality Bernie McCain Dead at 75

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, October 26, 2012 | 3:20pm CT

Bernie McCain, a longtime radio host in the nation's capital who was known to his listeners as "Uncle Bernie," has died at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC. He was 75. McCain, the WOL talk host who for three decades was one of DC's most popular personalities in Urban radio, died October 13 reports the Washington Post. He had been off the air more than a year ago because of his declining health.

McCain had worked in radio for more than 15 years when WOL-AM hired him from WRC-AM in 1981. He became one of the station's flagship personalities and a daily afternoon presence known to listeners as "Uncle Bernie." In an interview, Radio One (owner of WOL) founder Cathy Hughes described him as "a black version of Mister Rogers."

He is survived by his wife of 10 years, Wanda Hughes; a daughter from his first marriage, Leslie Charleton; a daughter from his relationship with Lipscomb, Cairo McCain and three grandchildren.