Miami, FL, United States (AHN) – Radio legend and South Florida media impresario Neil Rogers died Friday morning. He died of congestive heart failure after a long illness.
According to reports he passed away from congestive heart failure at the Vitas Hospice at the Florida Medical Center in Broward Country.
The famed radio man was born Nelson Roger Behelfer on Nov. 5, 1942.
He studied broadcasting in school but opted to work right away in the medium he loved, radio. He was able to garner jobs all over the country but eventually settled at WJNO in West Palm Beach in 1976.
Later he moved to WKAT in Miami Beach and made a landmark decision that literally sent out shockwaves in the broadcasting community. He announced on air he was gay.
Rogers was loud, unapologetic and always spoke his mind. Sometimes his brash persona incited the ire of those who disagreed with him during his no holds barred approach to discussion. However, he always retained the respect of his peers and listeners who he dubbed “Neilies”.
After coming out his notoriety skyrocketed and he was a top personality on the radio for decades. He often mocked station management, feuded with other personalities and even took on religious figures, activists, politicians and celebrities long before the practice was mainstream.
After tenures across the Fort Lauderdale-Miami market he eventually retired in 2009 from Sports WQAM.
Then this past summer he suffered a stroke and heart attack.
His loved ones decided surgery to repair the artery wasn’t worth the risk and pain.
Tribute broadcasts to the legend began on Friday and could be heard across the country.
Neil Rogers was 68.
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