RIP Paul Harvey

March 1, 2009

BY NEIL STEINBERG Sun-Times Columnist

Paul Harvey, the most listened-to broadcaster in America, whose shows originating from Chicago were heard by 18 million people every day, is dead at age 90.

Harvey died Saturday at a hospital in Phoenix, Ariz., where he had a winter home, less than a year after his wife, Lynne “Angel” Harvey.

“My father and mother created from thin air what one day became radio and television news. So in the past year, an industry has lost its godparents and today millions have lost a friend,” said Mr. Harvey’s son, Paul Harvey Jr., in a statement.

Harvey was known for his shows, “Paul Harvey News” and “The Rest of the Story.”

“Hello, Americans,” every show began. “You know what the news is. In a minute, you're going to hear the rest of the story.”

Each broadcast ended with a human-interest story with a surprise ending, and his trademark extended pregnant pause: “Paul Harvey ... ... Good Day!”

Born in Oklahoma, Harvey was based in Chicago since the end of World War II. His studios were on the 16th floor of the building at the southeast corner of Michigan and Wacker, and that stretch of Wacker Drive was given the honorary name of Paul Harvey Drive.

Services are pending.