What is Rush Limbaugh best known for?
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III ( / ˈlɪmbɔː / LIM-baw; January 12, 1951 – February 17, 2021) was an American radio personality, conservative political commentator, author, and television show host. He was best known as the host of The Rush Limbaugh Show, which was nationally syndicated on AM and FM radio stations.
When did Rush Limbaugh start his talk show?
Rush Limbaugh. His talk show began in 1984 at Sacramento, California radio station KFBK, featuring his ongoing format of political commentary and listener calls. In 1988, Limbaugh began broadcasting his show nationally from radio station WABC in New York City, and the show's flagship station became WOR in 2014.
Where did Rush Limbaugh go to high school?
In 1969 Limbaugh graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School, where he played football. At age 16 he worked his first radio job at KGMO, a local radio station. He used the airname Rusty Sharpe having found "Sharpe" in a telephone book.
Why was Rush Limbaugh inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Rush Limbaugh was inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians on May 14, 2012, in a secret ceremony announced only 20 minutes before it began in order to prevent negative media attention. A bronze bust of Limbaugh is on display at the Missouri State Capitol building in Jefferson City, along with 40 other awardees.
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When was Rush Limbaugh's last show 2021?
Final year In anticipation of his death, he used his December 23, 2020 episode to express his thanks and say farewell to his audience; Limbaugh occasionally hosted shows through January and would host his last new episode on February 2, 2021.
Where did Rush Limbaugh start?
In 1975, Limbaugh began an afternoon show at the Top 40 station KUDL in Kansas City, Missouri. He soon became the host of a public affairs talk program that aired on weekend mornings which allowed him to develop his style and present more controversial ideas.
Where did Rush Limbaugh died?
Palm Beach, FLRush Limbaugh / Place of death
How old was Rush Limbaugh when he passed away?
70 years (1951–2021)Rush Limbaugh / Age at death
Who is Rush's wife?
Kathryn Adams Limbaughm. 2010Marta Fitzgeraldm. 1994–2004Michelle Sixtam. 1983–1990Roxy Maxine McNeelym. 1977–1980Rush Limbaugh/Wife
Where did Rush Limbaugh live?
Palm Beach1996–2021Cape GirardeauNew YorkSacramentoKansas CityMcKeesportRush Limbaugh/Places lived
Where did Rush Limbaugh live?
Palm Beach1996–2021Cape GirardeauNew YorkSacramentoKansas CityMcKeesportRush Limbaugh/Places lived
What does EIB Network stand for?
EIB Network, the syndication network for The Rush Limbaugh Show. European Investment Bank, the European Union's financing institution.
Has Kathryn Limbaugh been married before?
Rush LimbaughKathryn Adams Limbaugh / Spouse (m. 2010)
What is Rush Limbaugh real name?
Rush Hudson Limbaugh IIIRush Limbaugh / Full name
When was Rush Limbaugh interviewed?
In 1995, Limbaugh was profiled on the PBS series Frontline in a one-hour documentary called "Rush Limbaugh's America". Limbaugh refused to be interviewed, but his mother, brother, and many Republican supporters took part, as well as critics and opponents.
How much did Rush Limbaugh make in 2008?
Limbaugh signed a $400-million, eight-year contract in 2008 with what was then Clear Channel Communications, making him the highest-paid broadcaster on terrestrial radio. On August 2, 2016, Limbaugh signed a four-year extension of the 2008 contract.
How much did Rush Limbaugh donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society?
According to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society annual reports, Limbaugh personally contributed between $100,000 and $499,999 from 2000 to 2005 and in 2007, and Limbaugh said that he contributed around $250,000 in 2003, 2004, and 2005. The Society's 2006 annual report placed him in the $500,000 to $999,999 category. Limbaugh donated $320,000 during the 2007 Cure-a-Thon, which the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society reported had raised $3.1 million. On his radio program April 18, 2008, Limbaugh pledged $400,000 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society after being challenged by two listeners to increase his initial pledge of $300,000.
What did Rush Limbaugh say about African Americans?
Limbaugh was known for making controversial race-related statements with regard to African Americans. He once opined that all newspaper composite pictures of wanted criminals resembled Jesse Jackson, and another time that "the NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons." While employed as what he describes as an "insult-radio" DJ, he used a derogatory racial stereotype to characterize a black caller he could not understand, telling the caller to "take that bone out of your nose and call me back", although he expressed guilt over this when recounting it. In March 2010, Limbaugh used the similarity of recently resigned Rep. Eric Massa 's surname to the slavery-era African American pronunciation of "master" to make a pun on the possibility that Gov. David Paterson, New York 's first African American governor, would pick Massa's replacement: "Let's assume you're right [caller]. So, David Paterson will become the massa who gets to appoint whoever gets to take Massa's place. So, for the first time in his life, Paterson's gonna be a massa. Interesting, interesting."
Why was Rush Limbaugh so critical of the media?
He called for the adoption of core conservative philosophies in order to ensure the survival of the Republican Party. Limbaugh, a proponent of American exceptionalism, often criticized politicians he believed reject this notion seeing them as unpatriotic or anti-American.
Why did Rush Limbaugh leave Cumulus?
In 2013, news reports indicated that Cumulus Media, some of whose stations carried Limbaugh's program in certain major markets, including New York, Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C ., and Detroit, was considering dropping his show when its contract with Limbaugh expired at the end of that year, reportedly because the company believed that its advertising revenues had been hurt by listener reaction to controversial Limbaugh comments. Limbaugh himself said that the reports were overblown and that it was a matter of routine dollars-and-cents negotiations between Cumulus and his network syndication partner, Premiere Networks, a unit of Clear Channel Communications. Ultimately, the parties reached agreement on a new contract, with Limbaugh's show moving from its long-time flagship outlet in New York, the Cumulus-owned WABC, to the latter's cross-town rival, the Clear Channel-owned WOR, starting January 1, 2014, but remaining on the Cumulus-owned stations it was being carried on in other markets.
How much did the Limbaugh brand sell in 1996?
Sold in nearly 1,500 retail outlets by 1996, the brand sold more than $5,000,000 worth in the first year.
When did Rush Limbaugh start his show?
Limbaugh's greatest success came in August 1988, when The Rush Limbaugh Show (nationally syndicated from New York City by the ABC Radio Network) premiered. Known for its heavy political focus and sometimes extreme conservative slant, The Rush Limbaugh Show has been on the air for more than three decades.
When was Rush Limbaugh inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Limbaugh was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1998. Additionally, he's a five-time winner of the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award for Excellence in Syndicated and Network Broadcasting.
Why was Rush Limbaugh fired?
After breaking into a radio career in the 1970s, Rush Limbaugh was fired for being too controversial as a news commentator. However, by 1984, he had become the top radio host in Sacramento, California. Limbaugh's greatest success came in August 1988, when The Rush Limbaugh Show (nationally syndicated from New York City by the ABC Radio Network) ...
What did Rush Limbaugh say about painkillers?
In October 2003, the radio host admitted to being addicted to prescription painkillers. He said he became reliant on them after undergoing spinal surgery a half-decade earlier. In February 2020, Limbaugh revealed that he had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.
What radio did Rush Limbaugh use?
At the age of 9, Limbaugh received a Remco Caravelle, a toy radio that could transmit on AM frequencies up to 500 feet away.
Who was Rush Limbaugh's grandfather?
His paternal grandfather, Rush Hudson Limbaugh, served as a U.S. ambassador to India under President Dwight D. Eisenhower; an uncle served as a federal judge during Ronald Reagan 's presidency; and his conservative father, Rush Hudson Limbaugh II, worked as an attorney.
Who is the conservative who hosts the Rush Limbaugh Show?
Rush Limbaugh. Conservative Rush Limbaugh was the longtime host of 'The Rush Limbaugh Show' on radio. He was a member of the Radio Hall of Fame.
Rush Limbaugh and the 10 Worst Celebrity Golfers
In the spirit of Rush Limbaugh's coming appearance on the Golf Channel's The Haney Project, we celebrate all that Hollywood and the game of golf have to offer.
No. 10: Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is both a celebrity and a golfer. Though he is one of the world's finest, what would the list be without him?
No. 9: Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg is a blockbuster draw at the box office, but his swing could use a tad more work. Wahlberg is an avid golf player and fan.
No. 8: George Lopez
George Lopez is a funny guy, especially when it comes to golf. Lopez has raised tons of money in support of great causes through various golf charities.
No. 7: Bill Murray
Bill Murray was funny on the golf course with Michael Jordan in Space Jam, and he still is today. Murray is a regular at many charity events and a constant follower of the sport.
No. 6: Ray Romano
In all fairness, Ray Romano has sought help for his golf swing. The comedian didn't have to dig very deep to find his character's love of golf while acting the lead role on television's Everybody Loves Raymond.
No. 5: Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh is one of the nation's most listened-to radio hosts—and his golf swing likely sounds better than it looks.
When did Rush Limbaugh die?
Unbeknownst at the time, Limbaugh hosted the show for the last time on February 2, 2021, and on February 17, 2021, Limbaugh's widow Kathryn announced on that day's broadcast that he had died at the age of 70 - a year after being diagnosed with lung cancer .
What happened to Rush Limbaugh?
His death was announced by his widow Kathryn during the February 17 broadcast. Upon the announcement of his death, Premiere Networks released a statement that during Limbaugh's terminal illness, it had organized the archive of Limbaugh's shows by date and topic to allow for at least 90 days of clip shows, selected to correspond to the current news cycle as much as possible, presented by a guest host (referred to on air as a "guide host"). The long-term plan would be to eventually cancel the program once Premiere determined that the audience was ready to move on. Stations owned by Cox Media Group and Saga Communications, along with Pittsburgh affiliate WJAS, began dropping the program in mid-March. Further defections from Audacy, Midwest Communications, and Alpha Media continued in April, with Audacy replacing Limbaugh with Dana Loesch and local programs. Cumulus Media continued to carry Limbaugh's show through the first three months in the "guide host" format, then introduced its own show hosted by Dan Bongino on May 24.
What radio station is Rush Limbaugh on?
During its existence, WRNO simulcasted the program on shortwave radio. Limbaugh also hosted his own online Internet streaming audio and video broadcast, through Streamlink. This broadcast was restricted to members of Limbaugh's “Rush 24/7” service, but could also be heard on some stations' streaming audio feeds. Premiere Networks, a division of iHeartMedia, the largest U.S. radio station owner, owns distribution rights to the program. The program was not heard on any stations in Canada, although stations along the northern border of the United States gave the show coverage in much of southern Canada. The show has never been carried on any satellite radio service, and is one of the few nationally syndicated talk radio programs not to be featured on satellite radio. Limbaugh attributed this decision to his desire to maximize value for his terrestrial radio affiliates.
Why was Rush Limbaugh absent from his show?
Every so often, Limbaugh was absent from his show, whether for various personal reasons or because of extended trips. For instance, in early 2005, Limbaugh took a weeklong trip to Afghanistan to report on postwar conditions; he also participated in various celebrity pro-am golf events, especially when he represented his parent company, iHeartMedia. On those occasions, Limbaugh allowed “EIB certified talk show hosts” (sometimes called "Associate Professors from the Limbaugh Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies") to fill in for him. Typically, these hosts are well-known conservatives, and since Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia since 2014) acquired the network that syndicates the program, they have often been hosts of local shows on iHeartMedia's owned-and-operated stations. A number of Limbaugh's former substitute hosts, including Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Bob Dornan and Jason Lewis, went on to host nationally syndicated shows of their own.
When did Rush Limbaugh stop playing the song My City Was Gone?
An edited instrumental version of the Pretenders ' " My City Was Gone " was Limbaugh's theme song at the start of his show's run. Briefly in 1999 , Limbaugh stopped playing the song after a " cease and desist " order was issued by EMI.
When did Ken Matthews subbed for Rush Limbaugh?
Ken Matthews: A host on WHP in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and WPHT in Philadelphia, subbed for Limbaugh on July 3, July 14, September 1, November 24 and December 26, 2017; on June 22, 2018, and again on March 19, 2020.
Did Rush Limbaugh allow the caller to continue down that tangent?
Limbaugh said that he allowed the caller to continue down that tangent while, off-mic, he searched for the commentary on Jesse Macbeth to present to his audience, thus accounting for the delay. The unedited transcript of the radio show in question can be found on Rush Limbaugh's website.
Overview
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III was an American conservative political commentator who was the host of The Rush Limbaugh Show, which first aired in 1984 and was nationally syndicated on AM and FM radio stations from 1988 until his death in 2021.
Limbaugh became one of the premier conservative voices in the United States …
Early life
Limbaugh was born on January 12, 1951, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to parents Rush Hudson Limbaugh II and Mildred Carolyn (née Armstrong) Limbaugh. He and his younger brother David were born into the prominent political Limbaugh family; his father was a lawyer and a United States fighter pilot who served in the China Burma India Theater of World War II. His mother was from Searcy, Arkansas. The name "Rush" was originally chosen for his grandfather to honor the …
Career
In February 1971, after dropping out of college, the 20-year-old Limbaugh accepted an offer to DJ at WIXZ, a Top 40 station in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He adopted the airname "Bachelor Jeff" Christie and worked afternoons before moving to morning drive. The station's general manager compared Limbaugh's style at this time to "early Imus". In 1973, after eighteen months at WIXZ, Limba…
Views
In his first New York Times best seller, Limbaugh described himself as conservative, and was critical of broadcasters in many media outlets for claiming to be objective. He called for the adoption of core conservative philosophies in order to ensure the survival of the Republican Party. Limbaugh has criticized the media and political activist movements such as feminism, en…
Controversies and inaccuracies
Comedian Al Franken, who later became a Senator, wrote a satirical 1996 book (Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations) in which he accused Limbaugh of distorting facts to serve his own political biases.
Of Limbaugh's controversial statements and allegations they have investigated, Politifact has rated 84% as ranging from "Mostly False" to "Pants On Fire" (signifying false statements that cannot b…
Charitable work
From 1990 until his death, Limbaugh held an annual fundraising telethon called the "EIB Cure-a-Thon" for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In 2006, the EIB Cure-a-Thon conducted its 16th annual telethon, raising $1.7 million, totaling over $15 million since the first cure-a-thon. According to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society annual reports, Limbaugh personally contributed between $100,000 and $499,999 from 2000 to 2005 and in 2007, and Limbaugh said that he con…
Published works
In 1992, Limbaugh published his first book, The Way Things Ought to Be, followed by See, I Told You So, the following year. Both titles were number one on The New York Times Best Seller list for 24 weeks. His first book was dictated by himself, and transcribed and edited by Wall Street Journal writer John Fund.
In 2013, Limbaugh authored his first children's book, entitled Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims…
Personal life
Limbaugh was married four times and divorced three times. He did not have any children. He was first married at the age of 26 to Roxy Maxine McNeely, a sales secretary at radio station WHB in Kansas City, Missouri. The couple married at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Limbaugh's hometown of Cape Girardeau on September 24, 1977. McNeely filed for divorce in March 1980, citing "incompatibility". They were formally divorced on July 10, 1980.