R.I.P.: Orlando Iconic Personality Rock Robinson Was 93

Rock Robinson

Rock Robinson was a fast-talking, quick-witted DJ who held the No. 1 spot with Orlando's WHOO morning radio show from 1958 to 1969.

His career in radio lasted a little more than a decade. But if anyone were to ask him, he'd say it's what he was destined to do his whole life, his son Jim Robinson of nearby Windermere told the Orlando Sentinel.

A few audio clips that Robinson found and later uploaded to YouTube make it obvious how Rock captured so many listeners. His natural, playful demeanor could be heard through the airwaves and the jokes and rhymes came nonstop.

"I hear you buzzin', cousin," Rock would say as the phone rang. "Speak up loud and clear so we can hear you, dear."

For 11 years, Rock's clever delivery informed and entertained many throughout Orlando.

Rock Robinson died Jan. 20 from complications caused by Parkinson's disease. He was 93.

He was born in Muskegon, Mich., on September 19, 1919, a birthday that became a running joke in the family.

Always known by family and friends as a great storyteller, Rock gave radio hosting a shot in Lansing, Mich., in 1954 and his career quickly took off.

In 1956, he accepted a radio gig in Miami but a quick turn of events led him instead to accept a job with WHOO in Orlando.

"He was actually on his way to Miami to accept a job, but stopped in Orlando for the night," Robinson said.

That same day, Rock met the owner of WHOO, who said that he "wanted to bring someone bigger than life to Orlando."

Rock was that someone.

In 1958, Rock debuted on WHOO with the Rock Robinson Show.

Robinson said his father had the No. 1 rated show for eight years.

After Rock's father died, he moved back to Michigan in 1969 and worked in another radio station for three years, then moved back to Orlando and became involved in a timeshare business.

Read More Now.