Former KDKA Radio Host Bob Tracey Dies. | RadioDiscussions
  • Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Former KDKA Radio Host Bob Tracey Dies.

C

clangham

(KDKA) PITTSBURGH KDKA Radio has lost its second legend within a week.

Bob Tracey, whose real name was Bob Michel, died on Friday from pneumonia.

Tracey was a DJ and announcer at KDKA Radio in the 1950's and 1960's.

He was known for his rich voice and was the afternoon host between Art Pallan and Clark Race.

Pallan died a few days ago.

Tracey was 83.
 
Radio Chuck said:
(KDKA) PITTSBURGH KDKA Radio has lost its second legend within a week.

Bob Tracey, whose real name was Bob Michel, died on Friday from pneumonia.

Tracey was a DJ and announcer at KDKA Radio in the 1950's and 1960's.

He was known for his rich voice and was the afternoon host between Art Pallan and Clark Race.

Pallan died a few days ago.

Tracey was 83.
Click to expand...

A very sad day for Pittsburgh radio. :'( I'm very happy to have had the rare opportunity to meet Bob back in 1991 when I was managing WKPA. Carol Finelli had given me a tour of the place when I went to Metro Traffic's offices that day to add another report to our morning show, and I had on a pink necktie with the suit I was wearing. Those of you who knew Bob knew his official 'at work' uniform for Metro Traffic...a colored t-shirt with a pocket on it, faded jeans, and those "Mason" shoes. Rarely had his hair combed. After meeting him and signing the revised contract, I was on my way out the door, he said "LOVE that tie" as I was walking by.
His on-air delivery when he was reading the reports will always be remembered. "Parkway Least", "Parkway Best" and "Gigolo Boulevard". I remembered he would sometime banter with Leah Klocko on the old WEZE-FM when we both worked there back in the day. He'd talk about how his tomatoes would be doing in the summer months. Just a wonderful guy. :) We'll miss him!
 
Let's also not forget two small roles he had in the movies "Houseguest" and "The Mothman Prophecies"!
 
RIP Bob Tracey. I remember those movies and I believe he was a background player in a few others.

The Art Pallans, Bob Traceys and the others are what I miss about local radio today.


Bob
 
They don't make them like Bob anymore....on the air or off. He was a broadcaster, a pilot, a motorcycle gearhead, a lover of music, an amateur botanist, a photographer, a stubbon man, a gentleman and someone who expected you to expect the best out of yourself every day. I don't know anyone who wrung more out of 83 years than he did.
 
These are all such nice sentiments, it would be great if we could all post them at the online guest book available at the Post-Gazette website. Just do a search for Bob's obituary listing (his last name was Michel) and it's a couple of clicks until you can leave your thoughts. I think it would mean a lot to his family, and they're almost guaranteed to see it there. There's no charge and it's easy to do.

Art Pallan's guest book was up to six pages the last time I looked, and very well deserved. Bob was holding at one page. The radio people who knew and respected him should take a minute to check in and leave a message for his family.

I think this will work as a direct link for Bob's guest book:

http://www.legacy.com/postgazette/GB/GuestbookEntry.aspx?&PersonID=86157634

Let's take a moment and let his family know how highly regarded Bob was by his peers in the business. Thanks.
 
Boss Radio said:
These are all such nice sentiments, it would be great if we could all post them at the online guest book available at the Post-Gazette website. Just do a search for Bob's obituary listing (his last name was Michel) and it's a couple of clicks until you can leave your thoughts. I think it would mean a lot to his family, and they're almost guaranteed to see it there. There's no charge and it's easy to do.

Art Pallan's guest book was up to six pages the last time I looked, and very well deserved. Bob was holding at one page. The radio people who knew and respected him should take a minute to check in and leave a message for his family.

I think this will work as a direct link for Bob's guest book:

http://www.legacy.com/postgazette/GB/GuestbookEntry.aspx?&PersonID=86157634

Let's take a moment and let his family know how highly regarded Bob was by his peers in the business. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Thanks Boss Radio, for sending the link. I signed his guestbook just now. I hope the rest of you will take the time to do the same.
 
Unfortunately, I was not in Pittsburgh for the Bob Tracey era. However, I was around for Art "Your Pal" Pallan. I had not heard he passed away. I know the Pittsburgh area (and KDKA Radio) are saddened to lose these popular people.

Stuart
 
For a period of time in the '50s-early 60s, Tracey was also seen on KDKA-TV doing weather in the early evenings in between the 7:00 News with Carl Ide and later Tom Finn and CBS's Evening News.
 
The TV stories were the best. Those guys were inventing local TV news and didn't have a consultant telling them to wear their hair parted on the other side. Some of the stuff that used to happen to Bob's chalkboard weather map were highly amusing.
 
He was my Dad

Just came across this today. Thanks for all the wonderful words about my father. He was bigger than life, and I miss him.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.
Back
Top Bottom