It was almost like old times for Denny Long for his final day on the air at WCCO on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Sure, he's had regular guests all along the way, but unlike the past few years, they all came to the historic WCCO studios in downtown Minneapolis at the same time.
Throw in a few long-time WCCO staffers and you really got something.
"There's a whole crowd of people I totally did not expect," he said after getting through a weather forecast. "Let me have a little more of that champagne. What are they going to do, fire me?"
Yes, there was a big ol' cake.
Along with champagne (really, sparkling wine, but who's counting?)
And tissues, just in case a tear was shed.
After all, leaving a place of work after nearly 55 years can be hard.
His first day at the corner of Second and Sixth was Aug. 16, 1971.
For his final day, the main studio was filled with his usual Saturday morning guests, some family members, and fellow staffers.
The clock on the wall counted down the final moments before reaching 10:00 a.m.
Denny's last task... playing Kenny Rogers' "It's Not Easy to Say Goodbye," with a smattering of applause from the guests remaining in the studio.
"Well, gotta get out of here," Denny said, completing a joyous and emotional morning that may have shed a tear for some, but not the radio veteran.
Denny warms up the vocal cords for one last go-round
Wouldn't be a party without a big cake
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Denny and Bruce Hagevic worked together on Saturday mornings for decades
Denny surveys the studio one last time
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