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Jack Armstrong

R

RadioMaverick

I couldn't believe the news when I received a note this evening:

Extremely saddening news... I hoped I never had to write... Our extremely amazing Dad and your friend Jack Armstrong aka John C. Larsh passed away yesterday March 22, 2008 at his home in North Carolina.
I wish there was a better way to get the word out but this seems to be the fastest means of communication that he favored. If you knew him at all, you would know that he wouldn't want you to be sad for a moment. He would want you to remember all the good times, what he gave to radio and to the world.
He would also want you to help fight to bring back the personality in radio if at all possible. He loved being a DJ almost as much as he loved being a father and that says A LOT. He put his blood, sweat and tears into both and never gave up what he believed in.
He was honest, brave and could tell a joke like no other!! He was the best at everything he did and I know that he touched each and every one of us.
I dont know how he would sign off this letter, maybe it would be "Yoooooouuuuurrr LLLlleeeadaaa!" or just straight up "Jack it up". Either which way he would have done it better than anyone. Please remember him in all that you do, pass on kindness, be true to yourself and to those you love.

If you have any questions, please email me at [email protected]

Very sad, devon larsh fischer ....Jack's middle daughter who loves him greatly - he was an exceptional person.
 
For those too young to remember, Jack was at KTNQ from 1978-1979, KHTZ briefly (it had been KTNQ's FM), then at KFI from 1979-81. After a couple of years at KFRC, San Francisco, he came back to L.A. for afternoons at KKHR (now Jack) from 1983-1986. A tremendous talent.

---Michael Hagerty
 
Sad indeed....a phenomenal talent.
The ol' gorilla rides off into the sunset.
 
I met him once-a really funny guy! What a talent too!

Soon they'll all be gone...with the likes of Ryan Seacrest (or worse, voicetracking) to replace them....

UGH!
 
michael hagerty said:
For those too young to remember, Jack was at KTNQ from 1978-1979, KHTZ briefly (it had been KTNQ's FM), then at KFI from 1979-81. After a couple of years at KFRC, San Francisco, he came back to L.A. for afternoons at KKHR (now Jack) from 1983-1986. A tremendous talent.

---Michael Hagerty
Click to expand...

Luckily, I am old enough to remember Mr. Armstrong; in those days, KTNQ was fighting with KFI(who had a top 40 format at the time), KHJ, & KRLA fot the AM Top 40 audience. Very entertaining personality, he will be sorely missed.
 
As a kid growing up in Southern California, there was a radio station that didn’t last too long, but left an impression on me as kid...even more so than the great 93 KHJ.

That radio station was TenQ. I would tune in and not only heard the best music on the radio from 1976-1979, but some of the great radio legends. Disc Jockeys that I wanted to be like. They inspired me. And even had the opportunity to actually be on the air with them. The Real Don Steele. MG Kelly. Charlie Tuna. Just to name a few.

One night in 1978 (I was a 14 year old then) my friend MG Kelly invited me to the TenQ studios on Western and 3rd in downtown Los Angeles to watch him do his thing. The Gunner and I walked upstairs to the on air studios, and there, finishing up his show was Jack Armstrong. My jaw dropped with wonder and awe as he signed off the air with his rapid fire goodbye. I remember MG Kelly looking at me with a smile on his face as I witnessed the art of entertainment.

Jackson honored me over the years to be on his show with my crazy antics and impressions. And every-so-often as my own radio career took off, I would write to him, thanking him (as well as the others from those golden days of radio).

What I do on and off the air is inspired by the great talents like Jack Armstrong. I try everyday to have as much fun as they did, make every break count, and entertain like they entertained me.

At midnight, Monday, March 24th...I receieved an e.mail from his daughter, and I simply cried.

Long live the Gorilla
 
Maverick said:
As a kid growing up in Southern California, there was a radio station that didn’t last too long, but left an impression on me as kid...even more so than the great 93 KHJ.

That radio station was TenQ. I would tune in and not only heard the best music on the radio from 1976-1979, but some of the great radio legends. Disc Jockeys that I wanted to be like. They inspired me. And even had the opportunity to actually be on the air with them. The Real Don Steele. MG Kelly. Charlie Tuna. Just to name a few.

One night in 1978 (I was a 14 year old then) my friend MG Kelly invited me to the TenQ studios on Western and 3rd in downtown Los Angeles to watch him do his thing. The Gunner and I walked upstairs to the on air studios, and there, finishing up his show was Jack Armstrong. My jaw dropped with wonder and awe as he signed off the air with his rapid4 fire goodbye. I remember MG Kelly looking at me with a smile on his face as I witnessed the art of entertainment.

Jackson honored me over the years to be on his show with my crazy antics and impressions. And every-so-often as my own radio career took off, I would write to him, thanking him (as well as the others from those golden days of radio).

What I do on and off the air is inspired by the great talents like Jack Armstrong. I try everyday to have as much fun as they did, make every break count, and entertain like they entertained me.

At midnight, Monday, March 24th...I receieved an e.mail from his daughter, and I simply cried.

Long live the Gorilla
Click to expand...

Maverick:

I understand how you feel. I also grew up listening to Jack and rate him in my all time top 3 or 5 - and maybe No. 1 air personalities of all time (with emphasis on personality). He was able to do over the intro what most people can't do in 30-60 seconds.

He was an inspiration and this is such a tragic loss.

My condolences to his friends, family, and listeners.
 
Hi,

Jack was one of my inspirations for getting into radio. I grew up listening to him on WMEX and WKBW.

Rock steady in Heaven, Jackson!
 
Just thought I'd mention that XM Radio's 60's on 6 will be doing a tribute to Jack Armstrong this Thursday on the Terry "Motormouth" Young show beginning at 1 PM Pacific time. What are the Los Angeles stations doing to remember this fine gentleman? Anything? I would like to listen to what they come up with.
 
I moved away from Buffalo in '94 (where Jack entertained us on WKBW-AM 1520 from '70-'73) but was delighted to hear "KB" was back (lasted from 2003-2006). I twisted my friends arms in Buffalo to record his shows for me and they would mail cassettes to me once a month. Glad I saved them and transferred the unscoped 'checks to CD! He inspired me (and countless others) to try our hand at radio. Last contact I had with him was Sept. 2007 -- we hired him (again) to voice/produce our commercials for the annual Rockabilly Rod Reunion in Las Vegas. I will miss him -- my idol, my hero -- terribly.
 
I look forward to hearing the tribute on the 60's on 6 on XM. Ironically, when I first heard Terry Motormouth, I thought it was Jack Armstrong! lol.
It would be cool if Charlie Tuna could do a tribute on K-Earth 101. They worked together on TenQ. I talked about it on my show Monday playing a tape of me as a 14 year old kid on Armstrong's show on TenQ from 1978 and did my rapid fire goodbye (that I haven't done in years) that was inspired by Jackson.
 
Lots of aircheck links, and Youtube video, of Jack on the Cleveland and Raleigh/Greensboro boards.

Jack's last fulltime gig was doing am drive for Entercom oldies WMQX/Oldies 93 Greensboro/Winston-Salem NC, now a "Wolf" format.


The YouTube stuff of Jack is at the WMJI/WIXY Cleveland Reunion Weekend circa 1988, and of KKHR/Los Angeles.

The WMJI/WIXY vid originally taken by Art Vuolo.

Great stuff.

More Jack also at http://www.wixy1260.com/

And Big Apple Airchecks plans a tribute to be posted by Friday www.bigappleairchecks.com

Arguably two of the best airchecks out there... Jack at KFRC for the "Virgin Sturgeon" broadcast, and at WNBC for ONE night as the "Unknown DJ".

More than 20 Jack airchecks at www.reelradio.com


He went by many names; Jack Armstrong... "The All-American Boy"... "Motormouth"... "The Fastest Mouth on Radio"...."Big Jack"....and of course... "Your LEEEEDUH!!"



One of a kind. Jack now spinning the hits for the night show in RNR Heaven.
 
I just found this on a website that I thought would be cool to share here. If you've ever wondered what Jack Armstrong said during his sign off...here ya go. Enjoy.
Long live the Gorilla!

"Don't get none on ya, do it twice, be nice. It's very nice to be important, but more important to be very nice. Let it all hang out, drag it in the sand, and make a deep rut. People who live in glass houses shouldn't...A bird in the hand makes it hard to blow your nose. One good turn takes most of the blankets. You can lead a horse to water, but don't push him in. Nothing smells any worse than a wet horse, or you can lead a horse to water, push him in and teach him the backstroke, then you've really got something. Wash your face in the morning, neck at night. Love is life, life is love. Light your own candle and the world will be a much brighter place. When you get to the end of your rope, tie a little knot, hang on and swing. Stay calm, try to adjust. You can't live with 'em or without 'em. hoo hee, HEE HOO! Don't let your six gun get rusty. It's been a business doing pleasure with you, it's been real... and your LEEEEEEADAAAAAAAAH love you-ah!"

He would also include messages to his children in the signoff, spoken in the Gorilla's voice
 
Just to let you all know. Jack was on our show back in December which ended up being one of his last interviews.

We spoke with some of Jack's good friends on tonight's show, including legendary programmer John Rook and nationally syndicated talker Rollye James.

The show will re-run all weekend long on our website. We hope you enjoy the show and our discussions about a broadcasting legend that left us way too soon.
 
WOW and I mean WOW! I had no idea. I met Jack in Fresno, CA, he was at KBOS, B95 Jack Armstrong & The Goooooooooooooooooorilla. We stay in touch over the years via myspce and email. He was the best jock I ever met. SAD sooooooooo SAD. May the radio GODS be with you Jack. Rick Stewart wow1043.com
 
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