Posted on 10/28/2020 8:04:54 AM PDT by Kaslin
Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh’s familiar quip of being “your host for life” has a sobering new meaning as he battles -- and seems to be losing -- his ten-month struggle against lung cancer.
I began listening to Rush within days or so of the launching of his national program in August of 1988. Three decades of listening prompts me to view him from five dimensions: as a pioneering radio guy, a brilliant social commentator, a maligned conservative, a sterling professional, and a major figure in American history.
Those of us who spent some time working in radio can appreciate the Limbaugh road to success. After a mediocre to failed broadcasting career, Rush in the mid-80s was enjoying his first major win in Sacramento. A station’s management finally allowed him to do radio the way he knew it should be done and lightning struck. A major national broadcast executive heard him and brought him out of Sacramento to New York to launch his national program. It occurred at just the right time. The Reagan administration had recently revoked the so-called Fairness Doctrine, allowing Rush to voice his opinions without having to present opposing views. Also, FM caused AM radio’s music formats to collapse and AM operators needed an alternative.
So Rush Limbaugh came to the national scene, mixing humor with conservative social and political commentary, applying radio music programming techniques to keep the show moving with the right balance of caller comments, playing rock tunes to segue in and out of commercial breaks, and while tackling serious topics, “having more fun than a human being should be allowed to have.”
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
It will be unimaginable to be without this great man in our lives. He has given so much to so many.
I still remember the first time I heard Rush. Having been raised with the unFairness Doctrine, I was gobsmacked. A true Maverick. An oasis in the desert of life.
I haven’t listened for years - to any talk radio - it’s way too repetitive to me and I usually feel like any given host is trying to gin up my anger which I do not like. I prefer humor and pithiness. No matter, they have done yeoman’s work.
Rush is at his best when talking to a young caller, offering career (and life) advice. I think he would deliver an amazing commencement address, both positive and inspiring. Alas, the left would do everything in their power and then some to see that didn’t happen. It’s a crying shame.
Prayers and mega dittos, Rush.
No kidding. His radio show has been the background music for 3 hours everyday in my life for years now. It is always there and I actively pop in now and then when the topic catches my attention. I schedule long drives around his radio program. Nice entertaining diversion for 3 hours.
RE: your car trips listening to Rush....
In my personal case, from the first days of the radio show I took a one hour daily walk at lunch from the library including a park and a river bank and an old railroad area all of which I now associate with memories of hearing Rush on a Walkman. Exercise, relief from work stress, eating as I walked and hearing Rush educate me on the “right” side of the issues. Who can beat that?
Funny aside: A coworker and Navy Vietnam vet (with three sons who went into the Navy later) said: “Have you heard that new guy Lindbergh on the radio? The station is going to get into a lot of trouble allowing him on.”
I said “It’s Limbaugh.”
“I think he’ll be kicked off soon when the sponsors boycott the station.”
It took decades for him to realize what was happening.
No, he clearly enunciates it.
President Trump showed him we can free ourselves from Media dominance.
My dad introduced me to Rush’s show. I was a teacher and during the summer I was visiting him. I remember washing his car and he turned on Rush. I was aghast at what I heard! I was a NPR listening public school teacher! What Rush said went against everything - just everything. But I listened more just to hear how absurd his ideas were, and guess what? They started making sense. I was converted. That had to be around 1990. He is stable force and has been for a long time. I am so happy he is still here to see us through this turning point in American history.
I miss his old tv show.
I remember when they wouldn’t let Rush be part owner of an NFL team too.
He’s done cute books for kids too, the Rush Revere series.
I had a buddy turn me onto Rush when early, he was in Sacramento. Rush broke through my NPR hippie world view with calm but funny commentary. After all these years I see why he’s the best: brilliant insight, humor, ability to make the complex understandable, tongue in cheek vanity, calming assurance that we conservatives are not alone. Mega Dittos Rush.
The author left out; comedian.
I remember Rush on his TV show, coming out with his left chest covered with ribbons. He introduced each ribbon, and then said, “These ribbons prove that I CARE more than each of you.” Hilarious.
Would you believe I bought his first book of the series and actually read it. I remember when they wouldn’t let Rush be part owner of an NFL team too.
I remember him talking about this on his radio show.Now I just read his monologue on line.
“I miss his old tv show.
I remember when they wouldn’t let Rush be part owner of an NFL team too.”
The ORIGINAL “CANCEL” victim.
No doubt Rush was a pioneer. No doubt Rush changed America. No doubt Rush gave “us” a voice. No doubt Rush is an icon.
I’ve read all his books and own his videos (with the exception of the children stuff), I remember the very first time I heard his show. I listened to his show 3 hours a day, every day, for YEARS! I watched every episode of his TV show.
I attended a “Rush to Excellence Tour event. I talked with him on the radio show twice.
I am truly sorry that Rush is dying of cancer. I did sour on Rush though when he bald faced lied about his hearing loss and told callers mentioning it to buy a new radio.
I really soured on Rush when in about one day he did a 180 on supporting Trump, which said to me that he got “that” phone call.
“Trust” is hard earned, easily lost, and almost impossible to regain once lost.
This is how I feel about Rush. That is the main reason that I don’t listen to him anymore.
I wish him the best and truly hope that he is “saved”. “This” world won’t be the same without him. There is only ONE Rush.
Life will go on. But, it won't be as much fun, or as interesting.
I just re-upped for another YEAR of Rush 24/7. I used to buy three years at a time. But, he stopped offering that a couple of years ago.
I don't listen much these days because it is too distracting to listen to at the office, but I do credit Rush with helping to steer me in the right direction.
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