Bobby “Skinny” Harper, the radio personality who inspired the television character, Dr. Johnny Fever on “WKRP in Cincinnati,” died on July 22 of lung cancer. He was 64.
Harper’s first on-air job was doing the news for the public address system at William Jewell College. Since the 1960s, Harper has produced radio shows in Peoria, Ill., Detroit and Atlanta.
His antics — like riding a wild bull and bellyflopping into a giant ice cream sundae — were popular with listeners but occasionally crossed the line with his employers. Known for his left-wing political speeches and racy humor, Harper was fired several times for his on-air comments.
• Audio of Skinny Bobby on the Radio
July 26, 2003 by
Bobby Harper
Categories: Media