GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-Reuters) – Radio host Rush Limbaugh has died at the age of 70.
RUSH RIP Clips from Art Vuolo on Vimeo.
His death was announced on his show Wednesday morning by his wife, Kathryn.
Limbaugh, who pioneered the American media phenomenon of conservative talk radio and became an enthusiastic combatant in the U.S. culture wars, had announced in February 2020 that he had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.
“He was such a trailblazer,” said WTAQ’s own conservative talk show host, Joe Giganti. “Really, everything about the show was so unique. The biggest talk show prior to Rush Limbaugh was Larry King…the idea of using recognizable bump music, using sound bites from the different shows, all of these different pieces and parts, he was amazing at always remaining a top entertainer.”
Limbaugh’s appeal and the success of his top-rated radio show arose from his brash and colorful style, his delight in baiting liberals and Democrats and his promotion of conservative and Republican causes and politicians. His radio show became nationally syndicated in 1988 and quickly built a large and committed following, making him wealthy in the process.
“Certainly Rush Limbaugh was the voice of American conservatism in this country,” said Brown County Republican Party Chair Jim Fitzgerald. “[He] will forever be remembered as that conservative voice that spoke for many people.”
Limbaugh had been battling lung cancer since January 2020. Last year, former President Donald Trump awarded Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Limbaugh was part of the lineup here at WTAQ. Our thoughts go out to his family.
(Reuters journalists Will Dunham and Lisa Lambert contributed to this story)
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