Joe Colborn, widely known as "JoBo" Bohannon and one-half of the legendary "Eddie & JoBo" morning show on Chicago's B96, has died at age 70, the station announced on Monday.
Authorities responded to his home in Freeport, Illinois, where the Stephenson County Coroner’s Office confirmed his passing, though the cause remains under investigation with more details expected Tuesday.
B96, the urban contemporary powerhouse that defined Chicago radio for decades, mourned the loss in a heartfelt social media post. “As half of the iconic Eddie & JoBo morning show, JoBo helped make this station what it is today,” the station wrote. “For years, he and Eddie brought laughter, energy, and real Chicago spirit to our airwaves. We celebrate his legacy — because once a part of B96, always a part of B96.”
Eddie Volkman, Colborn's longtime on-air partner and co-host, shared his raw grief with WGN News shortly after learning of the death from Colborn's family. “I only got the news when I got home from work today,” Volkman said.
“I am devastated and an emotional wreck. They are investigating and will have more to tell us tomorrow. Heaven gained a golden voice today.” Volkman's words captured the profound bond forged over two decades of broadcasting, where their chemistry turned morning commutes into communal celebrations of humor and heart.
The duo's partnership began in 1988 at B96, quickly becoming a staple for listeners tuning in for their irreverent banter, celebrity interviews, and unfiltered takes on city life. They briefly ventured to Philadelphia in the mid-1990s for a new opportunity but returned triumphantly to B96 in 1996, anchoring the morning slot until their final show in late 2008.
Over those years, "Eddie & JoBo" amassed a loyal following, blending high-energy pop hits with sketches that poked fun at everything from traffic jams on the Dan Ryan to the quirks of Bears fandom.
Their run helped cement B96's status as a cultural touchstone, influencing a generation of DJs and fans who still reference their bits online.
Born and raised in the Midwest, Colborn embodied the everyman charm that made JoBo relatable — a quick-witted sidekick whose booming laugh and improvisational flair balanced Volkman's lead role. Off the air, he was known for his community involvement, supporting Chicago charities and mentoring young broadcasters.
Their outrageous bits, like the "World's Most Dangerous Audience" pranks involving cold-water wake-up calls, daily Twinkie checks, and surprise mattress attacks, became cultural phenomena, drawing legions of fans who flooded stations with calls and letters to demand their 1996 return after a controversial firing tied to a $1 million defamation lawsuit.
Over 24 non-consecutive years at B96 alone, they amassed a 26-year legacy of high-energy pop programming, celebrity interviews, and street stunts that once gridlocked the Loop, influencing generations of DJs and cementing B96's status as a Windy City icon.