Radio Host, Song Parodist Bob Rivers Has Died. | Story

Award-winning air personality, RIAA-certified song parodist, and Radio Hall of Fame inductee Bob Rivers, 68, has passed away. Longtime agent Paul Anderson told Inside Radio that Rivers passed away this morning. Rivers was diagnosed with esophageal cancer three years ago.

“I considered radio therapy,” Rivers recently told the Seattle Times about his early days growing up in Connecticut, and finding his confidence on air while struggling with social anxiety and school.

Rivers’ radio career began in high school with his first paid airshift at 16. Following on-air work at eight different stations in the Nutmeg State, Rivers headed to Worcester, MA rocker WAAF to co-host the “Bob and Zip” morning show. During his six years at WAAF, he began writing and producing parody and novelty songs such as “Just a Big Ego,” spoofing David Lee Roth’s hit “Just a Gigolo.” Rivers’ “Twisted Christmas” album, released in 1987, which included “Twelve Pains of Christmas” — his take on “The Twelve Days of Christmas” — went on to sell half a million and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Rivers’ recording career continued with “Twisted Tunes” while at Baltimore’s “98 Rock” WIYY, where he gained national attention for an 11-day on-air marathon during the Orioles’ 21-game losing streak to open the 1988 baseball season, remaining on WIYY until they finally won a game. The next stop was Seattle, where Rivers spent the next 25 years hosting mornings at rock stations KISW and KZOK, and classic hits KJR-FM (now KJEB).

Rivers’ career accolades include two awards as Radio & Records’ major market Rock Personality of the Year and his 2023 induction into the Radio Hall of Fame. “Bob was one of those people who put fun into radio,” the Hall’s Chairperson Kraig Kitchin says. “Plus, the vulnerability of the way that he shared his life allowed the audience to feel comfortable sharing theirs in return.”

While Rivers hung up the headphones in 2014 and moved to Vermont, five years later, he began “The Bob Rivers Show Podcast,” following an esophageal cancer diagnosis three years ago. After undergoing surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy and moving to Las Vegas, Rivers remained involved in podcasting as well as in other creative projects, such as producing music with his brothers and working on a six-song EP.

“I’m surprised that I am not more concerned with mortality,” Rivers told the Times in January, noting it would be illogical to do so “because the only difference between you and me and every other human being on the planet is where we are along our journey.”

A private service will be held this Friday in Claremont, NH. Memorial services will be in Seattle to be announced.

Rivers is survived by his wife, Lisa; sons Andrew and Keith (wife Leanne); and granddaughters Hazel and Georgia Rivers. He is the eldest of seven siblings and is survived by sisters Beth Doornweerd, Katherine Kenney, Mary Redman, Patty Tedford, and brothers Michael Rivers and Richard Rivers.