R.I.P.: Don Bombard aka Bob Shannon, Longtime Personality

(1949-2023)

Don Bombard, a well-known New York City radio personality best known by his on-air name “Bob Shannon,” died on Wednesday following a lengthy illness.

Bombard, who was 74, worked for several years as the afternoon drive host at WCBS 101.1 FM in the New York market, a job he first took in the mid-1980s and held on to until 2012, taking a hiatus just once — between 2005 and 2007 — when the station briefly flipped its format to ill-fated “Jack FM.”

The Desk reports Bombard’s passing was first announced by his wife, Connie Frances, in a social media post.

“Please remember all the positive things he brought to all,” Frances said, ending the note with a request for privacy.

Bob Shannon Tribute 2023 from Art Vuolo on Vimeo.

Bombard started his radio career in Syracuse at WNDR 1260 AM, where he was promoted to the position of program director for the station. He moved to Pittsburgh and WKTQ 1320 AM after accepting an on-air role there.

His time at WCBS-FM came to an end following a medical diagnosis that was not disclosed to the public. The decision to leave the station was mutual, and allowed Bombard to focus on recovering.