National Radio Hall of Famer and Country Top 40 host Bob Kingsley passes

Chronicle: National Radio Hall of Famer and Country Top 40 host Bob Kingsley passed away Thursday (Oct 17) in Weatherford, TX following a battle with bladder cancer. He was 80.

Kingsley's radio career began in with the Armed Forces Radio Service station in Keflavik, Iceland in 1959 while serving in the Air Force. 

His early career stops included Country KGBS/Los Angeles and KLAC/Los Angeles, programming the latter following its flip into Country in 1970. Four years later, Kingsley became the producer of nationally syndicated American Country Countdown started one year earlier by Casey Kasem and Don Bustany. In 1978, Kingsley succeeded the show's original host, Don Bowman, where he remained until 2005.

In 2006, Kingsley launched Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40, which he hosted until his passing. Throughout his career, Kingsley garnered numerous industry accolades, twice being named CMA's National Broadcast Personality of the Year, winning ACM National Broadcast Personality of the Year once and earning Billboard's Network/Syndicated Program of the Year 16 times. The CRB/Country Aircheck Awards named Kingsley National Air Personality of the Year three times and the CRB Presidents Award was bestowed upon him in 2012.

He was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 1998 and became the format's fifth representative in the National Radio Hall of Fame upon his induction in 2016. Kingsley was also the inaugural recipient of the Living Legend Award, later named for him, in 2014.

A celebration of life will be held at the CMA Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame Nov. 14 at 1pm. 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.

TRIBUTES:

Chris Country Radio: We have some sad news to share. Bob Kingsley, presenter of country music countdown shows for over 40 years, including the Country Top 40 here on Chris Country since our launch, has passed away at the age of 80 at his home in Texas.

Bob's reassuring voice has been part of the lives of so many country fans, and we'll miss him terribly on the station. We send all of our love and prayers to his wife Nan and his family. Bob's impact on radio, and country music, will never be forgotten.

Bob Kingsley, radio legend and National Radio Hall of Fame member, has died at age 80 https://t.co/45hTAdzSbr

— billboard (@billboard) October 17, 2019

Rest In Peace to Bob Kingsley . I spent many weekends as a kid listening to his countdown. And spent many occasions as I got older telling him how much I admired him. This picture is just one of those occasions. Rest easy friend. pic.twitter.com/JQDVumL9uN

— Bobby Bones (@mrBobbyBones) October 17, 2019

SiriusXM The Highway: Devastating news in the world of country music...the iconic radio host Bob Kingsley has passed away from cancer at the age of 80. Bob was a great friend and mentor to so many in the radio world, including some of our own here at The Highway...RIP, Bob #StormeWarrenShow

He was a friend. Not just an associate within the business, but a true friend. He was also a true friend of the genre of country music, and it will never be the same without his voice. I'm going to miss him." Kenny Chesney encapsulates an outpouring of memories and grief across all of country music at today's passing of National Radio Hall of Famer and Country Top 40 host Bob

As previously reported, the service will take place on Thursday, November 14th at 1p (CT) at the CMA THEATER at the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum.

Country Aircheck Remembering Bob Kingsley Special: PDF - Magazine View

And The Countdown Rolls On: Following National Radio Hall of Famer and Country Top 40 host Bob Kingsley's passing last week (Chronicle 10/17), Capitol's Keith Urban will helm the countdown this weekend (Oct. 26-27) while Pearl's Garth Brooks will host the final four shows of 2019.

The team at KCCS Productions will continue producing Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40 for distribution via Westwood One and will also offer affiliates 25 Years Of Bob Kingsley's Christmas In America, a best-of compilation of Kingsley's previous holiday specials.