Legendary country radio personality Bob Kingsley passed away Thursday (Oct. 17) in Weatherford, Texas following a battle with bladder cancer, Country Aircheck reports. He was 80 years old.
Kingsley was a member of the Country Radio Hall of Fame, the National Radio Hall of Fame and a multi-CMA and ACM award winner. The longtime host of Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 began his radio career in Iceland while serving in the Air Force. After appearing on Armed Forces Radio, Kingsley made stops at various radio stations around the U.S., including Country KGBS/Los Angeles and KLAC/Los Angeles.
In the mid-1970s, he landed a role as the producer of the nationally syndicated American Country Countdown. In 1978, he took over as host of that show, where he remained until 2005. The following year, he launched Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40, where he took on hosting duties until his passing.
A celebration of life will be held at the CMA Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame Nov. 14 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Kingsley’s name to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum or the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund.
