Condolences: Harley & Ed Baer
• Sad news out of Louisville, as iHeartMedia Classic Rock WQMF announced that longtime midday personality James “Harley” Rectenwald — a fixture on the station for the past 30 years, died late Thursday evening, January 3 after battling a recurring illness. He was only 54 years old.
WQMF posted a heartfelt tribute to Harley that reads, in part, “There are times when you meet someone, and instantly feel like you’ve known them your entire life. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does… well, that’s when you know that you have met someone special. If you ever had the pleasure and the privilege of meeting James “Harley” Rectenwald, you know the feeling I’m describing. He was that type of person… If you knew him, the loss is profound. He was a part of the fabric of QMF. On air for the better part of 30 years, he was the constant. He connected the present to the past. Harley was — and is — the essence of WQMF.”
His smile and his laugh were an indelible part of our everyday life. That cannot be replaced. This sadness will pass, and we will slowly move forward knowing that his presence on air will forever be missed, and his presence in our lives will never be replaced.”
Harley is survived by his wife Kelli, his mother Nancy, three brothers — John, Joseph and Paul, and two sons, Fizzy and Rascal. Rest in peace dear friend. I hope you know how much you were, and are, loved. Ride on.”
• Ed Baer, one of the original “Good Guys” at the legendary WMCA/New York, died Jan. 1 at the age of 82. Baer went on to work at WCBS-FM, WYNY and WHN/New York as well as Sirius Satellite Radio, prior to its merger with XM.
Over the course of his impressive radio career that started in 1957, Baer’s longest stint was 29 years at Pamal Broadcasting AC WHUD-FM/Poughkeepsie, NY — 14 of those years (1986 until his retirement in 2000) Baer and co-host Mike Bennett ruled the local morning show roost as hosts of the highly rated Ed Baer Affair.
Thanks to the amazing video archives produced by “Radio’s Best Friend,” Art Vuolo, you are invited to enjoy this 1987 clip of Baer in action at WCBS-FM.
