Rusty Rodgers Death

[John Quincy]

I have learned that former WKLO DJ Rusty Rodgers (Evening jock 1976-1977, PM Drive DJ 1977-1979) passed away on Saturday. He also worked part time at WAKY for a short time in 1979.

According to his cousin, Rusty had been having heart problems recently. When I tried to get in touch with him at WLKY-TV (where he worked as a director) a few weeks ago, he was out on medical leave.

Here are the viewing/funeral/burial arrangements:

Tuesday, 5-17: Viewing from 3-8 PM

Wednesday, 5-18: Funeral 11:00 AM at Hardy Close Funeral Home, 285 S. Buckman St., Shepherdsville, KY (502-543-6513).

The burial will be at Brookland Cemetery.

We're fortunate to have examples of Rusty's WAKY and WKLO work on the Airchecks pages at 79WAKY.com and 1080WKLO.com.

His cousin says, "Please say hello to Eddie (his father), Timmy (brother) and Myrna (his wife). "

Rusty was also part of the 1991 WKLO Reunion on WDJX-AM, and we'll be posting more airchecks from that event in the near future at 1080WKLO.com.

[RJC]

I'm sorry to hear this, I barely remembered him at WKLO, but he was on WLRS when I started listening to that station in about late 86' or early 87'. RIP Rusty Rogers.

[GilHerbigJr]

I for one will miss the great talent and personallity of Rusty. As one may gather I was a big fan of his and had the honor of having Rusty teach me everything I know about broadcasting. He will be truley missed.

[Max]

While I don't have any particular memories of Rusty other than him being on the gateway spine of my WKLO album, it's always a great loss ESPECIALLY when we lose a jock who knew how it was done and knew how to strive for excellence. I am glad that he was still in the broadcasting business and my prayers go out to his family as they grieve his passing.

The first post identified his last station (TV) as WKLY-TV. Since he was listed as still in Louisville, I take it to mean WLKY (Channel 32). In any case, it's a sad day for his family as well as the station.

[John Quincy]

Yep, it was WLKY. My bad.

[Travis]

I met Rusty at the University of Louisville's campus radio station (WXKE) in 1974. WXKE was an AM carrier-current station, located at 570 on the dial, and could only be received on campus. Rusty was high energy and did a very wild show, but by this time many of the students were now into FM. WLRS had become well established and WQHI, better known as Hi95 (high 95) was born in April of that year introducing pop & disco to Louisville FM.

One night, Rusty and I had been out drinking and wound up back in the campus radio station around 2 AM. There was nobody there and WLRS, or possibly even Hi95, was being fed through the board. The station was always on the air and we soon found ourselves launching an impromptu radio show in the wee hours of the morning. My memory is vague on the details, but I do recall we did an extremely blue & vulgar show. We didn't really think anyone was listening, but after about 15 minutes the phone rang and a student in one of the dorms said, "Uh... you guys do know that you're on the radio, right?" DOH!!!

Rusty was running the board, and feeling no pain, put the caller through the board and continued the conversation over the air. He told the caller that this was all a dream, that we were not really on the air and that he (the caller) was not even on the phone. I don't know for how long this went on, but it was in true Rusty fashion and I believe Rusty even identified himself as the 'Dean' or somebody before ending the madness.

Somehow, Rusty's radio shows led to a position with WKLO as a... NEWSMAN??!! But, as I recall, he was quite good at it and it eventually led to his becoming the personality that most remember on WKLO & WAKY.

After getting the job as a newsman, Rusty introduced me to Gary Griffin (aka Jackson Smith on WKLO) who happened to be program director for Elizabethtown's WQXE. Gary went by the name of Gary Jenkins at Quicksie (as it was known, and still is) and gave me a job with that station. I've always been grateful to Rusty for the introduction, but have not seen him in over 20 years. Sad how we lose touch.

[Max]

Did anyone go to the funeral or visitation?

[cal]

This was heartbreaking to hear.. I knew Rusty waaaay back ... before I moved to Texas in 1978...we stayed in touch until I moved to SoCal.. and I kept meaning to touch base but never really got back to Louisville that often.. and was pretty busy raising 2 boys over 14 years apart... my sister sent me a poster she found of Rusty because she knew we were friends which prompted me to look him up and then I found out he was dead .... 💔... too many gone too soon in my life .. Rusty and I had some of the best conversations and laughs which I will always cherish.. he was a special friend