Remembering “Young Ron” Brewer
• We’ve lost another legend — Ron Brewer, better known as “Young Ron” in the hearts of a generation of South Florida commuters as cohost of the top-rated Paul and Young Ron Show for nearly three decades on three Miami radio stations, died Wednesday in Ocala, FL. He was 68.
Brewer, whose legal name was Ron Bates, spent more than a quarter-century on local radio playing beloved straight man to the freewheeling Paul Castronovo, most recently on iHeartMedia Classic Rock WBGG (Big 105.9) until his retirement in 2016. The partnership between Castronovo and the deadpan news reader Brewer began in 1990 on WSHE, moving to WZTA (Zeta 94.9) in 1995 and, in 2004, to Big 105.9.
Famously private, Brewer played the role right up until he decided to quit the show, which he announced abruptly on-air without warning Castronovo. Brewer’s retirement show in 2016 was the last time Castronovo saw Brewer or spoke with him. They shared a hug that night and exchanged a few text messages over the years, but that was it. Reached by phone on Thursday, Castronovo was emotional, telling the Sun-Sentinel, “I’m angry that we haven’t spoken. I’m thinking about all the hilarious stuff we did. And I’m heartbroken.” Castronovo also posted his reaction to Instagram.
Castronovo plans to dedicate Friday morning’s show to Brewer’s memory, featuring classic clips and stories about Brewer — including the retelling of the infamous moment when Brewer fell into the stingray tank at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas after sampling some product by show sponsor Patrón.
Castronovo is also reaching out to old friends from Brewer’s heyday, including Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino, filmmakers Billy Corben and Wil Shriner, and Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill. There are as yet no plans as yet for funeral services. [Photo credit: Mike Stocker / South Florida Sun Sentinel]
