Bob
Lassiter Bob redefined talk
radio when he came to town in the mid 80's at WPLP. Lassiter ruled
the night, they spoke of him every where. His style was bombastic
to some, but he made every one think and re examine their position
on life. Lassiter joined WFLA in 1985 and teamed up
with Dick Norman, Tedd Webb, Lionel, Liz Richards and others to
bring talk to a new level. The first Battle of The Talk
Show Hosts was a sellout thanks to Bob Lassiter. People
wanted to meet this man in person. Lassiter came to Tampa Bay from Miami, where
he had worked with talk show legend Neil Rogers. Lassiters
style was his own. Bobs success carried him to Chicago where
he worked at WLS, the 50,000 watt mid west monster. He did TV
appearances on national talk shows, celebrated by everyone in
the business. When WSUN went talk, it seemed like a natural
to bring Lassiter back home. He worked the morning
drive shift, which he hated. Getting up at 4 AM is not Bobs
cup of tea. After WSUN dropped its talk format, Lassiter
came back to WFLA. He reigned supreme and was doing the things
he did best with the audience, they loved him. A contract squabble
resulted in his resigning and retiring from broadcasting. It is
a shame, the business could use a jolt of Lassiter. Bob says I am still alive, still full
of piss and vinegar and glad to be out of the business - 29 years,
three months and two days was enough! It was a good ride and I
have no regrets. The only regrets are ours, that we dont
have Lassiter to listen to anymore.
Update: October 17, 2006
Bob Lassiter, battling diabetes for some years, has passed away at age 61. He will be missed by many, some who only knew him as The Mad Dog, and to a few of us who knew him as a gentle, sensitive and frail man.
Like him or hate him, Bob Lassiter made us think. We will always remember you Bob, and those phenomenal monologs that no one has ever come close to matching.
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