(WTVF) — Country music radio legend Bob Kingsley died Thursday morning at his home in Weatherford, Texas. He was 80 years old.
Kinglesy was undergoing treatment for bladder cancer.
Taste of County said Kingsley announced his diagnosis earlier this month, stepping away from his country music countdown show Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40.
The broadcaster has been a staple on radio for 60 years. He turned his focus to Country music in 1978 when he took over as host of American Country Countdown, making him a household name.
Kingsley and his wife Nan established his country music top 40 show in 2006, which can still be heard across 320 radio stations.
He received many top broadcasting awards during his lengthy career, including being named in the Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1998 and the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2016. The Grand Ole Opry began presenting an award in his name in 2014. Kingsley was the first recipient of the Bob Kingsley Living Legend Award. Other accolades include Academy of Country Music's Major Market On-Air Personality of the Year, Country Music Association's National Broadcast Personality of the Year, National Air Personality of the Year, ACM's National Broadcast Personality of the Year and the 2012 President's Award by the CRB.
Kingsley joined the Air Force at age 18 and served in Keflavik, Iceland. While serving, he was an announcer on Armed Forces Radio, leading him to a life in broadcasting.
He's also known for his work with several veterans charities and organizations.
A celebration of life has been planned in Nashville for November 14 at 1 p.m. at the CMA Theater in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
