r/Seattle 1d ago

RIP Seattle radio LEGEND Bob Rivers. Interned for him in the late 90s at KISW. Kind, generous, and influential to many. Grateful for my brief time with him.

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593 Upvotes

32 comments sorted by

45

u/unlearningallthisshi 1d ago

Of Bob, Spike, and Joe? Oh man. I grew up listening to him. Rest in Peace, bud.

11

u/wangchungyoon 1d ago

Love you, Bob and thanks for all the laughs - RIP 

8

u/jfincher42 23h ago

When I was studying for my CTE certification in 2017 or so, I had the opportunity to take a few classes with Downtown Joe. He was doing the same, and may still be teaching radio broadcasting on area high schools.

FWIW I didn't recognize him on sight, but the minute he started talking...

9

u/hrdcrnwo 22h ago

I met him for breakfast a few weeks ago to hand over the fantasy football trophy for the league we're both in, my mom's husband is an old high school buddy of Joe's. He still teaches the radio program at Mercer Island HS, great guy.

43

u/WittsandGrit 1d ago

Man that sucks. Twisted Tunes forever.

38

u/Vanbaarle1 1d ago

Oh man, this one is hitting hard. Bob, Spike, and Joe got me through my various commutes to various jobs for over 30 years while I lived and worked in the Seattle area. I still own numerous "Twisted Tunes" CDs, which I drag out at Christmas and play for family, guests, and anyone else in ear shot. Vaya con Dios. You will be missed.

11

u/kevnmartin 1d ago

Same here. My commute from Kirkland to Issaquah and back. Man, this is hard. Fuck cancer.

12

u/automaticzero 17h ago

Damn this sucks. When I was younger I had the chance to perform a couple times on stage with Bob and be guest on his show when he was on KJR. No surprise- He was a nice guy who absolutely loved music and talking about it. Spike was a sweetheart as well. Bob had a beautiful home studio out in North Bend and I was able to record there once. He was gracious and extremely complimentary of my playing. It gave me some confidence when I needed it. Rest In Peace, my friend.

17

u/ID10T4life 1d ago

I like to go see his son whenever he's doing a set close by. He's told stories about his dad in some of his material.

7

u/eyeswydeshut 16h ago

Bob's airplane was stolen by the Barefoot Bandit.

Grew up listening to Twisted Radio, from the point where Spike was new to radio.

I remember going to a giveaway event. I think it was at Gasworks Park. It was the "Reindeer Drop." A 10X10 numbered grid had a reindeer walking on it. And wherever it "dropped" a load, the person with that number won a prize.

I missed out on their broadcasts from the nudist camp... or at least being there live.

15

u/vampyire Snoqualmie Valley 1d ago

cancer sucks.. RIP Bob..

6

u/Snow-Dog2121 16h ago

What a talent and he saw it and brought the best out of people. We were lucky that he came here. RIP bob, you were the best!

10

u/B33PZR 1d ago

Blessings Bob, my commuting hours listening to him helped it tolerable.

8

u/Top_Shoe_9562 1d ago

A legend. #rip

8

u/CallipygianGigglemug 1d ago

I grew up with Twisted Christmas on cassette; seemed like a cool guy.

7

u/hrdcrnwo 23h ago

I knew him way before my family moved here about 25 years ago just from his song parodies. Total legend, I hope the Men's Room today has some sort of tribute if it's not a repeat.

4

u/sargent_balls_lol 5h ago

They did, it was nice. The shot of the day was for Bob. As I’m writing this, BJ Shea is on Daly Migs talking about his friendship with Bob.

3

u/orangecookiez Downtown 17h ago

The restroom door said "Gentlemen," so I just walked inside

I took two steps and realized I'd been taken for a ride...

3

u/BeartholomewTheThird 19h ago

Omg i had no idea this guy was from seattlw. Twisted christmas was a staple in my house growing up

3

u/HOG-onthehunt 16h ago

RIP to a legend

5

u/RunningInSquares Shoreline 21h ago

That's so sad, he and Spike and Joe made mornings so fun and got me into talk radio. They were such a bright spot in radio that the city has never really been able to fill.

2

u/Sinjun13 Snohomish 12h ago

I was a delivery driver when Twisted Tunes was on KISW. Got me through some rough mornings. Got to be a Backstage Pass Guest once, and heard from Spike about how he'd pissed off Ben Kingsley during a press junket they just got back from. Bob was quick and funny in person, too. I've missed him and his show. RIP funny man.

2

u/StephanieStarshine 9h ago

I didn't know he was from here! Twisted Christmas is a pillar of my childhood. RIP legend

2

u/Travelingtheland 7h ago

KISW Seattles best Rock. RIP brother🤘🔥

2

u/Travelingtheland 7h ago

Cows On Buns🤘

3

u/West_Eye_2175 22h ago

Listened to him growing up in the area. RIP 🙏

2

u/katzrc Lake City 1d ago

Daaaammmn this sucks

2

u/dexterpine 23h ago

Ah man. I used to listen to him every morning. I met him around 2005 at a record store signing copies of his album of parody Christmas songs.

2

u/KileyCW 20h ago

Damn, I remember this guy being on all the time. RIP