R.I.P.: Bob Rivers, Iconic Radio Personality

Legendary Seatle-based air personality Bob Rivers died from cancer this morning at his home in New Hampshire. He was 68.

Rivers, who became famous for his Twisted Tunes parodies was diagnosed with terminal cancer, as reported in a January 15, 2025, article from The Seattle Times.

Before settling in Seattle, Rivers gained recognition in radio markets around the country, beginning his career as a teenager. Famously fired from one early job for playing too much Led Zeppelin, Rivers quickly found success at WAAF-FM in Worcester, Massachusetts. There, he co-hosted the popular morning show “Bob and Zip” with Peter “Zip” Zipfel. He gained national attention with his parody “Breakin’ Up Is Hard on You,” humorously addressing the breakup of the Bell telephone system, charting on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the early 1980’s at Boston’s WAAF-FM, Bob began recording his famous song parodies while hosting the morning show. From the beginning, he shared them with everyone, sending them to radio personalities like fellow inductees Rick Dees, Scott Shannon and others. The nationwide popularity of his TWISTED TUNES earned him a Gold record in 1987, the first of seven records distributed by Atlantic Records.

Bob Rivers moved to Baltimore and 98 Rock, WIYY-FM. Bob Rivers won the Billboard Radio Promotion of the year for his on-air marathon as the Orioles lost a record 23 games in a row to open the 1988 season. The 258 1/2-hour marathon was a huge media hit, and a ratings win.

The Bob Rivers Show ran for 25 years on KISW, KZOK and KJR-FM in Seattle, many of them spent as the #1 show. It was a one-of-a-kind improv talk show that included irreverent yet family friendly, conversations with sharp writing, a witty cast, and of course, newly created Twisted Tunes. 

His morning show band, Spike and the Impalers, regularly featured celebrity guests and played to sold-out audiences. The Show also showed compassion for humanity worldwide, helping impoverished children around the world, raising $10 million dollars.

In 2023, The Bob Rivers Show was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.