Los Angeles Talk Radio Legend Michael Jackson Dead at 87

RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, January 16, 2022

Michael Jackson

Legendary KABC Radio and veteran Los Angeles talk personality Michael Jackson died Saturday at his home in Los Angeles, after suffering from Parkinson's Disease for the past decade. He was 87. Jackson's radio career spanned five decades and he spent 32 years at KABC Radio in Los Angeles (1966-1998) and was syndicated on the ABC Radio Network for nearly a decade.

Jackson had interviewed hundreds of public figures, including Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush along with heads of state, governors, senators, a-list movie and TV stars, authors, musicians, singers and artists.

"The world knew and adored our Michael Jackson. But Michael's home was California, Los Angeles, America. For that we are grateful," said Barbara Boxer, former California Senator (1993-2017) and frequent guest on the "Michael Jackson Show" in a statement.

Throughout his career, Jackson received numerous accolades and awards including: Induction into the Radio Hall of Fame (2003), Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1984), four Golden Mike Awards, Los Angeles Times "Number One Radio Talk Host of the Year" (1997-98), honorary Doctorate of Laws from Western School of Law, presentation of the French Legion of Merit Award, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). In addition, more than two thousand of his iconic historic radio interviews housed in the Library of Congress.

"It was a testament to Michael, that so many of the guests and celebrities preferred to actually come in studio, rather than do phoners," said Jackson's Show Producer Lyle Gregory of 30 years and close family friend. "With his British accent and boyhood charm, Michael made people comfortable, they opened up. That was his gift. Michael molded an interview into conversation, news and information. Like two people sitting at a kitchen table talking. A table, an open window, where millions tuned in daily across the nation, so many of them referring to Michael as their personal University."

In 1965, Jackson married Alana Ladd, daughter of movie star Alan Ladd. She died in 2014. Together they had three children and five grandchildren. Jackson is survived by his children Alan Jackson, Alisa Magno and Devon Jackson, their spouses, Heidi, Tom and Sarah and his Grandchildren Taylor, Emily, Adeline, Amelia and Hugo.

Jackson's children asked, "Everyone honor his time-honored legacy by being polite and good to one another. To unite as one people and to uphold Democracy in the America that our Father so cherished and promoted though out his life on-air and at home. We are grateful for our Loving Father and to those of you who loved him too."