Radio Vet Fred Jacobs Discloses Health Battle

Fred Jacobs, a veteran radio consultant and President of Jacobs Media, has publicly disclosed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in a candid blog post Wednesday. 

Jacobs first noticed a tremor in his left forefinger in 2017, but a neurologist initially ruled out Parkinson’s.

Fred Jacobs

Over time, the tremor became more noticeable, leading to further testing and a confirmed diagnosis a few years later, when Jacobs was 70. He has been managing the condition privately for two years with standard Parkinson’s medications, which he says are largely effective, though the tremor is harder to conceal during public appearances, such as speeches and presentations.

Jacobs decided to share his diagnosis publicly following his appearance at the Morning Show Boot Camp and ahead of presenting the 17th annual Public Radio Techsurvey at the Public Media Content Conference. 

In his blog, he expressed gratitude for the support of his family, colleagues, and the radio industry, emphasizing his intent to remain active in his work with Jacobs Media, including research, consulting, and speaking engagements. He stated, “If I manage this beast well, and maybe get a little lucky, I think I’ve got a number of solid years ahead where I’ll be able to continue making a contribution at a performance level that meets my standards.” 

The radio has expressed support for Jacobs, a frequent collaborator and influential figure known for creating the Classic Rock radio format and pioneering industry research like the Techsurvey.