Yesterday, we received the heartbreaking news that Ron Chapman passed away at the age of 85.
He began his radio career the DAY he graduated high school, hitting the airwaves in 1953 for WHAV in his hometown of Haverhill, Massachusetts. Six years later in 1959, he moved to Texas to begin what eventually became a Radio Hall of Fame career in DFW.
He was heard as "Irving Harrigan," where teamed with Jack Woods, also known as "Charlie Brown," on the Charlie and Harrigan Show on KLIF, when in 1969 he moved to KVIL, where he dominated the ratings for decades.
Known for his stunts, such as broadcasting while sky diving from a plane, Chapman once asked listeners to send in $20, without telling anyone why. Just days later, Chapman was sent a total of $244,000 in cash, which he later donated to a local charity.
Chapman retired from KVIL in 2000 and moved to KLUV, where he worked until 2005 before retiring again.
Chapman was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. He is also a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.
As a tribute to the life and legacy to Ron Chapman, please enjoy the final song he played on KLUV on the morning of his final broadcast, "Rainbow Connection" from the 1979 film The Muppets Movie.
Information gathered from NBC DFW.