“Luther” checking out the school closings
It didn’t take long for word of Luther Masingill’s death to spread throughout his beloved hometown on Monday. Within 24 hours, the King of Morning Radio was memorialized on every media outlet, in every restaurant, and every living room. He was that well-known, and that well-loved.
In recent years, as Luther won numerous awards and honors for his 73-year broadcasting career, and his countless acts of kindness, our local household name went nationwide. News outlets from CBS to Al Jazeera (no kidding) visited his humble studio on South Broad Street and beamed his life story on their networks. After a few years of prodding the Associated Press and other major news services also profiled our world-record-holding announcer.
Our Celebration of Luther’s Life was held Thursday October 23 at Engel Stadium. I have posted my own tribute from the celebration in two parts on YouTube:
At least two major national outlets have saluted Luther’s incredible life and career. Listeners of NPR’s popular “All Things Considered” heard this interview Wednesday night.
On Monday, Sirius XM host Phlash Phelps repeated his interview with Luther on his 92nd birthday last March. Phlash is Sirius XM’s amazing morning host on Channel 6, and he has long been one of Luther’s biggest fans. He too, is a radio “lifer,” and appreciates Luther’s unprecedented longevity record more than most.
Wednesday, Phlash asked me to be on his show, to talk about Luther’s life, and to invite folks to the Celebration on Thursday. I’m always honored to share Luther’s story, and I want to thank Phlash for letting me show some love to Luther to a sizable audience among Sirius XM’s 27 million subscribers.
Here’s a YouTube version of the interview, including some classic Luther photos, and it ends with one of those great songs that Luther loved to play on the radio. Please share with Luther fans, near and far:
Wonderful!!! JL
Great tribute to “Luther”…..RIP Luther
Wonderful tribute and appropriate song as Luther made everybody feel loved. RIP, Luther with thanks for making our lives brighter.
Thanks for honoring our friend Luther Masingill.
David, I tweeted you earlier but I wanted to say again that your speech at Luther’s Memorial was absolutely beautiful and moving. The love between Luther and Chattanooga was most certainly a two way street. Yes we were lucky but more importantly richly blessed to have Luther be our voice for nearly three quarters of a century.