WCCO Radio Legend Charlie Boone Dies At 88

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Charlie Boone, whose 37-year partnership with Roger Erickson produced one of radio's most popular teams in the 1960s, '70s, '80s and 90's died Sunday after a brief illness.

He was 88.

Boone & Erickson arrived at WCCO AM-Minneapolis the same year - 1959 - and hosted their own programs featuring music and information. Erickson's afternoon show aired just before Boone's and when the two began to chat and share jokes a legendary radio team was born. Erickson retired in 1998 while Boone continued hosting a Saturday morning show until 2010.

Related: Charlie Boone Photo Gallery

Boone was a master of voices whose dialects ranging from a New York cop to a bellicose southern senator provided the color for countless comedy routines with Erickson. The two often parodied old radio shows, the most popular of which was "Minnesota Hospital" touted as "the best place to get sick in."

Charlie Boone also hosted his own information and interview show for many years. He is survived by wife Carol, a son and daughter, four grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Here is Charlie Boone's biography:

* Born August 21, 1927 in Newfoundland; grew up in Connecticut.

* Served in the U.S. Army Air Corps 1945-48.

* Began his radio career in Wadena, Minnesota and later worked at stations in Colorado Springs and Fargo before coming to WCCO AM in 1959.

* Was WCCO's first 'disc jockey', playing records on his show instead of introducing a live orchestra.

* His show, "Boone in the Afternoon" followed Roger Erickson's program each day and the two began chatting and sharing jokes on each other's shows.

* 1961: The "Boone & Erickson" show was born. Featured were skits poking fun at politicians, giving comic treatment to current events and parodying old radio shows (the most popular of which was "Minnesota Hospital" billed as "the best place to get sick in".) In addition "B & E" interviewed countless dignitaries and celebrities.

* 1998: Roger Erickson retires after his 37-year partnership with Charlie Boone

* Charlie continues to host a Saturday morning radio show until December 2010, completing a 51-year career at WCCO.

Interesting facts:

* Charlie was the scheduled emcee for an appearance by Buddy Holly in Moorhead and was waiting at the airport when he learned the rock legend was killed in a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa on February 3rd, 1959. Needing a replacement act, Charlie enlisted a local band - The Shadows - headed by 15 year-old Bobby Velline, thus helping launch the career of '60s star Bobby Vee.

* Charlie and his twin sister Charlotte were named after Charles Lindbergh, who completed his famous transatlantic flight three months to the day before the birth of the Boone babies.

Family: Wife Carol, a son & daughter, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.