Jack Armstrong Dead

[spacetrucker]

From what I have been able to find out, Jack fell down the steps in his home.

[emanon17]

I feel a sense of responsibility to respond to a legend of our profession's passing.  To his loved one's NOT in the business...

I never knew him, worked with him, or was mentored by him like so many others.  But I always heard of him as being "one of the best!"  I have worked in radio in Cleveland, Charlotte, Orlando, Myrtle Beach, and a few other respected markets just like your Dad.  He was a PRO amongst pros!  A cool guy in a profession with alot of posers, ego-maniacs, and divas!  You should be proud of him...  He must've stayed close to you despite not living in the same city for much of his career.  It couldn't have been easy for any of you!!

This career many of us have chosen isn't the highest paying, or the most secure.  As it turns out, there aren't a lot of jobs for 55-year-old Top 40 Jocks.  We all know the end of our "significant" careers will end by age 50 or so.  Even so, it's hard to walk away from your "God-given" talent.  We all seemingly found our niche on the radio! 

I'm having a beer tonight in his honor, and hope all of his friends (and those that just know "of him") will appreciate a guy who followed his passion!

Much Respect, my friend!! 

%  (is that the sign for 2 drinks toasting...?)

[kirkiefan]

I miss Jack..Met him only once at the former(and original) WIFE-AM in Indy.

Wish he could have worked in the Dayton market so I could have got to know him better...but I remember his 1972 WKBW aircheck on a Programmer's Digest LP.

I pray for the repose of his soul. It is a consolation that he was loved by his children and that he also loved them...not easy being a DJ ("town to town and up and down the dial" as the WKRP theme song conveys)and a father at the same time and for that I hold him in great esteem in spite of the greedy and self-seeking nature of this biz.

Radio DJs have far too long been at the bottom of the broadcast caste system...it is a skilled trade worthy of journeyman wages. They are the ones who are forced to put their families on hold and at risk on account of the coprorate circlejerks who refuse to admit the sancitity of marriage and family. Wolfman Jack and Cincy's Bob Braun would have agreed with that.

Peace be with 'ya Jack

Kirkiefan

[HadYourPhil]

That wonderful AM nighttime skywave gave so many of us the opportunity to hear the jocks we all wanted to emulate, and Jack was at the top of that heap. As a kid, all I wanted to do was be a night jock on some 50kw flamethrower. Although I've done a lot, that didn't happen for me... but I am so glad it happened for Big Jack! A truly amazing talent who thought as fast as he spoke. Remember him best from WKYC and WKBW. I was lucky enough to hear some of his work on the recreated KB (that ended too soon) WWKB oldies format, and that sign off... Glad I rolled some tape.
Funny thing. I live in Naples, Florida these days, now beyond WWKB's reach, except for one night early in the recreation of  KB. On 1520, a couple of layers down but clearly audible, was Jack Armstrong talking up "Mama Told Me Not to Come". Perfectly.

[XTalker]

I caught some of Alan Handleman's show yesterday on WZTK. He ran excerpts from an interview with Jack from last year. Riviting! Jack was among the best ever in the business! RIP!

[skippertthomas]

From the Hoosier Kid who listened to you in INDY.... By far, one of my five biggest influences in my jocking, and as I get to 50, I am thankful for the fun I've had, just like Mr. Larsh did, wherever size station or market he worked in....  Our Leeeeeeeader has passed over and passed on to us a lifetime of memories...... Good bye to a hero of mine...          

[DJ Nephew]

Jack Armstrong was my uncle..Uncle Johnny or 'Jack'...

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for the kind words as myself and my family deals with the death of such a fine person.

I first met my uncle in the mid-70's when I was a young boy and he first visited my home in Texas. I remember his uniqueness even then. A tall man with a thick mustache and long hair. A happy and powerful demeanor. He was always very kind to me. He 'loved me like a son' as he would say.
It wasn't until I visited him in LA in 1978 that I realized what it was that drove this man. It was radio. I listened to him on the radio and heard his quick talking booming voice. His bellowing laugh. His quick wit. I never forgot and will never forget that this was the way of him.
In later years I got to know him man to man. In the early 90's, he moved out to NC to be closer to his father, brother and sister. I would visit NC when I could. We would have long talks about many and varied things. Solving the worlds problem, if you will.
And he loved radio. He was a walking encyclopedia of knowledge. He had met the Beatles. And others. Radio was his passion.
I think that he is in a better place and that he made his mark while he was here as best he could. He will be missed sorely. If those of us who are here now could live our days with the same vigor as he lived his, I know we will have done our best and will have had a full life when our day once comes.
I am glad to know he made a positive influence in so many of you in radio and otherwise. It makes me ever more proud to have experienced such a great person as my uncle.
Sincerely, Tom Larsh

[audioconnell Voice Talent]

Devon, Tom and to all of Jack's family.

One of radio's lasting (and sadly few remaining) legacies is the impact the on-air talents have had on so many lives. 

More than disc-jockeys, the great radio performers were able to keep our attention because of their professional talent and dedication to the theatre of the mind.

Jack was absolutely in that category. Anyone who ever heard him (as I had on KB Radio) knows what I'm talking about.

Our sadness pales in comparison to the loss you are all dealing with. Individually and collectively we wish we could lessen the pain of your loss.

But the loss is so great for us because his talent was so great. And your loss is so great because the man you knew was probably just as great.

Not all of us make THAT kind of impact on the world. I hope that his strong legacy helps bring you peace and joy in the times ahead.

Best always,
- Peter O'Connell
Buffalo, NY

[Mitchell]

To the Larsh family:  you must know by now that John touched many people.  This is the man's legacy.  It should warm your heart...forever.

I was born and raised in Greensboro, so I got to hear him every night on WCOG The Big 1320.  Man, this guy was out there!  He was IT!  All those characters...we had never heard anything like him!  I was bitten by the radio bug at 13 so I was calling him every night...and eventually he would up putting me on every night at 8:30 (prime time!)  I don't remember exactly what it was I did, a school report, something funny...I don't know...but the man actually put ME on the radio!  Every night!  He actually promo'd it too!  

Several years later I weaseled my way into WCOG and a weekend gig and so began a long career...so John Larsh gave me my break in radio!  Years later, when I would come home to visit my mother, I would call him and we'd catch up.  He actually did remember me, and I was in awe of the man then, just as I was as a kid.

Just wanted to pass along my memories of a one-of-a-kind.  You don't hear anyone like him any more...all the talent has been micro-managed out of people these days.  

As he said every night when he signed off...."Don't get none on ya"!

Steve Mitchell
www.stevemitchellvoiceworks.com

[VODood]

I will soon be posting another Jack aircheck from the 1997 WMJI/WIXY Cleveland Reunion weekend. Took place Oct 10-11 of that year.

This aircheck is Jack doing 7-11pm, running the board himself.

Included; former WIXY Superman Billy Bass, Jim LaBarbara and former Oldies 93 PD Kris Abrams


Will be posted later today, after 5pm EST at www.chuckmatthewsvoice.com/downloads/misc


And there's an aircheck of Jack from earlier in the day live on location with former WMJI pm driver Scott Howitt.

That is currently posted.