Pete Wilson (familiar to all the KGO junkies) died unexpectedly in Palo Alto at 62yrs of age. He was also a fixture on KGO-TV and KRON-TV in the Bay Area.

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_6433047?source=rss

Wow! He was a giant in SF media. Huge news in the Bay Area. And, may I add, what a talent!

Interesting...he died near the same time as Tammy Faye Bakker!

No, Bakker died on Thursday and Wilson on Friday.

The media is reporting Friday.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/21/tammy.faye/index.html

Initial media reports said Bakker died on Thursday and that family members delayed telling the media so they could have some time alone before the announcement. Now I see that has changed. I wonder what's really going on here?

Come on, isn't this about Pete Wilson? What difference does it make?

Pete Wilson was a giant in Bay Area news, both TV and radio. 62 is quite young. The hole will be hard to fill.

I'm more sadden about Pete Wilson than Tammy. I Watched his newscasts in both on ch 10 Sacremento then later on KRON 4 SF and KGO7. Never did hear much of his radio show. He took the 2 to 4 slot held many yrs by Jim Eason. Jim went to Hottalk KSFO. Bernie Ward had an interesting discussion about grief as well as having people share their feelings about Pete Wilson. Heard it this morning on the web on God Talk KGO I sure have broken down a lot these last few years as we have lost a lot of broadcasters. I will never forget them. Those of you in it still or who were in broadcasting you are great companions and thanks a bunch for being in my radio making me happy and informed.

Gil Gross named as replacement for Pete Wilson.

http://www.kgoam810.com/Article.asp?id=468762&spid=17749

Gil Gross is a great talent. His former national talk show got lost in a sea of screaming blowhards and didn't get the attention it deserved.

Gil Gross is good. I think he has filled in on KGO many, many times (namely Ronn Owens' slot?). And I believe he does (or was doing) the ABC national radio top-o-the-hour newscasts.

Here is a recording of Gil Gross interviewing Stan Freberg on 7-2-1996. The program is in two parts, commercials removed, running a total of 38 minutes in 96 kbps MP3:
Part 1
Part 2

Who has replaced Wilson at ABC7? Or have they not decided yet?

My very humble opinion...Gil Gross is one of the two best radio news people in the United States. Dude was on WLS when he was, like, 20--in 1970 or so, when LS truly meant something. He's creative, conversational, authoritative, exceedingly well informed, and flexible in the face of immediacy. I miss him filling in for Paul Harvey, and I'll miss his hourlies on ABC I...which I set a button on 810 to hear. (My other radio news idol is Scott Simon, weekends on NPR. If Keith Olbermann was on radio, he might be there too).

I got to see Stan speak to the Portland Ad Federation in the 70s. Met his son, Donovan, as well...he was featured as the student in the Encyclopedia Britannica commercials you saw on TV back in the day. Both were very gracious visiting briefly with this fan after the presentation.

Randy, I can't thank you enough for sharing this! What a treasure...

As for Gil Gross, I heard him on the original broadcast of WLS' Big 89 Rewind... Nothing like the (excellent!) banter between newsman and air personality into and out of the newscast!

Truly a lost art...

And yes, Gil did an *excellent* job filling in for Paul Harvey...

So the past three permanent subs for Paul Harvey haven't lasted more than a year or so.
Olberman was great, but they wouldn't let him do ABC and MSNBC.
Fred Thompson, well...
And now Gil (who, in fareness, has been the most 'permanent' Harvey sub for several years).

A slight diversion to the topic, but it brings up the question...is Harvey relevant anymore? I'm smack dab in the middle of the 35-54 demo. While I have the greatest respect for Mr. Harvey, I used to hang on his every word back in the 70's and 80's, but I find him to be less than critical to my radio listening today. I'm not sure where this is coming from. Do I have an intolerance to a very old broadcaster? Have I just gotten tired of this style? This is really a tough one for me...someone who I used to like, but now don't really care about. I just don't feel compelled to listen to him anymore. Just an honest appraisal of my listening habits.

Speaking of Paul Harvey, he celebrated his 89th birthday on Tuesday. Mr. Harvey is nearing the end of a 10 year contract with abc Radio worth $100 Million. The question is, will he renew his contract or retire?

I thought it was good until he was 93.

Well that's what the NPR website said when I googled it.

Can Gross still sub for Harvey?

Technology would certainly allow it.

I also recall Harvey signing a 10 year contract around 2000 or 2001.

Paul - Well, *I* think Paul Harvey is still relevant. I've listened to him regularly since A.J. Harold at KGAR turned this high school kid onto Paul Harvey News. I'm now 55 (and apparently no longer relevant to radio advertisers!)...

Yes, times have changed. And we certainly have, too. In fact, KTAR-FM down here announced they were DROPPING Paul Harvey from their schedule. This has been met with "It's about time," from younger demos, and "What the hell are they THINKING??" from the older half of the audience. KTAR says they'll let listeners know on their website where Paul may be heard once another station picks him up. Yeah...well, we'll see. Personally, I think it was a bonehead move on their part.

PH has some some days when his age shows and his vocal quality is a bit challenged, but his is a living example of the fine art of a "wordsmith" in action. That's why I listen. Agree or disagree with his views, Paul Harvey STILL communicates news and commentary like no one else...

Here is another question....when Paul Harvey opts to step down....what will ABC do? Continue the 3 casts/features with someone new or??? I thought Fred Thompson had finally hit his stride when he backed off in search of some other job....(!) Gil Gross could certainly do it........but wonder what ABC will do....I have grown up with Paul Harvey.....it was a sacred cow in our house.....no one talked during the feature......now doing a news block that includes PH is fun....though I admit his style is very different that the rest of the newscasters out there..

I still listen to Paul Harvey most days. It is the one time I push the button to KEX, just to hear Paul. I agree with MarkAndrews about his style and delivery. He is a master with words.... something some posters on this board should take lessons from.

I like both Gil Gross and Fred Thompson as replacements. Each has their own style which is good. Obviously, Fred cannot sub now because he is running for political office.

Paul's "Rest of the story" bits are good, as well.

as a salesman i wish i had PH to sell.
everyone on the coast loves him, still.
i thought he had a son who sounds just like
him and was being groomed to take over when
dad is gone ?

paul harvey is dead. they take snippets from old recordings and piece those together.