The last of the Good Neighbors has left the building. Charlie Boone has finished his final show on WCCO/Minneapolis-St. Paul. This completes a journey that Charlie began back in 1959. He is best known as half of the ‘Boone and Erickson’ morning show which he performed for over three decades with partner Roger Erickson. Along with Howard Viken, Maynard Speece, Steve Cannon, Jergen Nash, Joyce Lamont, Randy Merriman and Franklin Hobbs, Charlie and Roger were part of what many consider ‘the classic lineup’ on WCCO. In those days, The Good Neighbor was always #1. All the other Twin Cities stations fought for second place in the Arbitron ratings.
This is truly the end of an era. Charlie Boone is a Minnesota broadcasting icon. Most likely, his kind of radio will never again be heard on the airwaves. In this era of corporate ownership, his longevity at WCCO will probably never be matched. Those of us who grew up listening to WCCO will miss you, Charlie. You were a master of your craft and a friend to all who heard your voice over the years on Radio 8-3-0.