The talk radio industry has lost one of its signature voices. WABC announced on Thursday morning that Bernie McGuirk had died after a battle with prostate cancer. He would have turned 65 at the end of the month.
McGuirk had been with the station since 2007. He partnered with Sid Rosenberg in 2016. Their show was initially heard in middays. They made the move to afternoon drive in 2018.
“Bernie was my partner and my friend,” said Rosenberg. “He was always the smartest guy in the room, and I was fortunate to be the guy next to him. I know our listeners join me in grieving the loss to radio and to New York.”
McGuirk began his radio career in 1986. Most listeners outside of New York likely knew him from his time with Don Imus. He served as Imus’s executive producer from 1993 until 2018. His sense of humor, candid opinions, and parody songs were staples of his on-air contributions.
“Bernie was not just half of Bernie and Sid in the Morning; Bernie was part of the fabric of WABC. Listeners from all around the world started their days with Bernie’s charismatic wit and insight, from tragic events to American’s day to day life. His absence will leave a hole not just at WABC but across the airwaves and in America’s hearts. Bernie was our brother, our friend, our mentor, our colleague. We will all miss Bernie more than words can express,” Chad Lopez, President of Red Apple Media and 77 WABC, wrote in an email to his staff.
The WABC morning show will hold a moment of silence for Bernie McGuirk on Thursday. The station is preparing a tribute show, which is scheduled to run on Tuesday, October 11.
Bernie,you were one of a kind. We will miss you terribly.
Bernie was an amazing man. My husband and I are long time listeners. When we heard the news of his passing, we felt as though we lost a member of our family. When you have listened to someone for so many years, the loss is a feeling of emptiness. We always had our coffee ☕️ in the morning when his show started. We will miss him terribly, but know he is out of pain and in a better place????
Our sincere sympathy to his wife and family.
Bernie,
You were the most intelligent, quiet Irishman I listened to every morning. You could feel the love you had for your family through the radio. May God keep you in his care.
Sid remember good friends are hard to come and you were a good friend to Bernie and he to you! We loved the comarady that came over the airwaves each and every morning. How lucky you are to have all those great memories that the two of you created together. We feel your pain. Thanks for keeping us company every morning. Take care be well and safe stay the course and be strong