03/20/2026
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81 year old Gary McKee, one of the fabled superstars of Atlanta broadcasting has died.
From 1971 to 1989, he ruled morning radio here with a rapid fire delivery, surrounded by a cast of eccentric characters, yielding Goliath like Arbitron ratings.
It was good to be King.
If you are not old enough, there is difficulty explaining, the daily shenanigans of a talented, big city, 1970’s style, morning radio personality, simulcast on AM/FM stations.
Lots of jokes, social commentary, news, traffic, sports, birthdays, sound effects, Red Neckerson, Willis, Yetta, Beau Bock, Tom Shane commercials and 🎵 music with Cher, Manilow, John Denver, Gladys Knight, Starland Vocal Band, Madonna.
The successful television sitcom “WKRP In Cincinnati,” written by Hugh Wilson was based on WQXI/Atlanta and his experience here.
When I arrived in 1984 Atlanta, McKee was influential, and impactful. If you were awake in the morning, Gary was the listen.
He was a man of his time for a growing, rapidly changing Atlanta. 18 years in the “Q” morning slot speaks of his talent in the vicious world of 1970’s, 1980’s radio.
I met Gary a few times when he was at the top of his broadcast powers. He had the stardom vibe swirling around him, understandable, McKee was making copious amounts of radio money, with fans flocking toward him, before and after a Chastain concert.
Gary closed his on air career at WSB, then Z93.
Morning Radio personalities age out like Major League Baseball pitchers, the fastball eventually loses its velocity.
McKee professionally disappeared after 1999, living in Cobb, raising a family, radio was over, but not his marvelous Atlanta legacy.
The famous line is applicable, “time flies over us but leaves its shadow behind.”
RIP Gary McKee.
https://youtu.be/InWWSVhPFuU?si=MnAzs1Agbgeo1wlj
