Thursday, March 10, 2011

Memphis radio personality John 'Bad Dog' McCormack dies » The Commercial Appeal

John 'Bad Dog' McCormack

John "Bad Dog" McCormack

Longtime Rock 103 radio personality John ‘Bad Dog’ McCormack died shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday at Methodist University Hospital after he was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit in critical condition earlier in the day.

McCormack, 55, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2009 and underwent a bone marrow transplant. He had relapsed and had been re-admitted to the hospital before his condition worsened Thursday.

His WEGR-FM radio partner Tim Spencer posted a message from McCormack on the station’s website. He said the words were written by McCormack to be published in the event of his death:

“I have gone to be with God, and he is holding me tightly and I am surrounded by many of the Ronald McDonald House kids. Do not say you have lost a friend. One is only lost when you don’t know where they are. You know where I am.

“I thank each and every one of you for your support and prayers. I love all of you and that will never go away . . . None of us is guaranteed tomorrow, make every day great, be the spiritual leader of your family. May peace be with you. Your friend, Bad Dog.”

McCormack had been on the air with Spencer Wednesday as part of their new afternoon program, “Bad Dog and Tim.” The pair had been part of the station’s original “Wakeup Crew” with Bev Hart beginning in April, 1988. McCormack had spent much of the last four years as part of a morning show with Ric Chetter until being reunited with Spencer for their afternoon show.

Chetter was at the hospital early Thursday when he said McCormack was moved to the intensive care unit with an aneurysm and lapsed into a coma. Chetter, Spencer and Hart said McCormack had been a passionate supporter of Ronald McDonald House and its annual radiothon. The men said they often played the straight-man role to McCormack’s comedic approach to the airwaves.

His Twilight Phone routines often involved prank calls to unsuspecting people for comedic effect, but, Hart said, “He wasn’t just all about the one-liner. He was a Memphian who loved Memphis, loved being from Memphis and loved everything and everybody about Memphis. He brought genuineness and a sense of ethics. He was about bringing laughter to people’s lives not just to help people through the day but to make Memphis a better place.”

After his diagnosis with leukemia in 2009, McCormack said a CT scan taken for the leukemia also revealed tumors in the kidneys and the pituitary glands. He sometimes said that leukemia saved his life.

In a “Live at 9” interview earlier on WREG-TV this year, McCormack said when he learned of his leukemia diagnosis his reaction he did not panic: “I thought, Lord if this is how you want me to serve you then let’s do it . . . You hold my hand and we’ll get through this together. I’ve lived a real nice life.”

Funeral arrangements were incomplete Thursday night.

— Michael Lollar: 529-2793

© 2011 Memphis Commercial Appeal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments » 71

CosmicStargoat writes:

We will miss you Bad Dog.

RuralSquirrel writes:

I want to be the first one to say you were THE BEST!!!

we will miss you BAD!!!

RIP BAD DOG...

arcadedays writes:

Funniest man ever on Memphis radio. An inspiration and a gift. I hope he got as much pleasure out of what he did for a living as he gave.

Noamsayin writes:

Impossible to replace.

big_argus writes:

Memphis will never be the same without Bad Dog. The end of an era for sure.

RuralSquirrel writes:

in response to arcadedays:

Funniest man ever on Memphis radio. An inspiration and a gift. I hope he got as much pleasure out of what he did for a living as he gave.

i cannot even begin to say how much pleasure he game me every morning listening to his wit. his laugh was infectious. this is just not fair. he wasn't supposed to go this suddenly.

giggity writes:

Thank you Bad Dog.

RuralSquirrel writes:

in response to Noamsayin:

Impossible to replace.

impossible.

daybow writes:

Thoughts and prayers for his family. I remember meeting Bad Dog at a golf tournament years ago. He was the same in person as he was on the radio. He will be missed.

rukiddingme writes:

He fought a long battle. May he rest in peace. Condolences to family and friends.

Cheryl_Caldwell writes:

Finally one thing Memphis can agree on.

Best wishes to his family.

Southerner writes:

I will miss running in to you at Schnuck's Forest Hill-Irene. Your smile and humor was infectious.

DocRambo writes:

Thanks for the many, many years of brightening our day each morning during our commutes to work.
RIP brother and condolences to the Bad Dog family.

truth_by_rick writes:

I was listening to John on the Rock 103 Radio the other day with Tim Spencer.

Peace. My prayers go out to his Family. John (Bad Dog) was a wonderful living human being. I will miss him and his laughter on the radio.

God Bless Him and his family.

PRND21 writes:

He had such a great attitude. RIP Bad Dog.

mtsugirl09 writes:

RIP Bad Dog. You were amazing at comedy. You will definitely be missed. Prayers for your friends and family.

juren1#204645 writes:

Truly a fine, honorable man. Bad dog, we will all miss you.

favoritetigers252423 writes:

This was a Memphis legend who was called home to early. You will be missed Badly. He had a huge heart and even bigger personality. Good bye Bad Dog! Memphis loves you.

bornin47 writes:

Rest in the peace you so richly deserve, Bad Dog, and thank you so much for all you did for our city and our lives.

Snarky_Spice writes:

RIP Sir

RuralSquirrel writes:

in response to DocRambo:

Thanks for the many, many years of brightening our day each morning during our commutes to work.
RIP brother and condolences to the Bad Dog family.

i will never forget the morning i learned what a merken was from Bad Dag on the radio. just one many, many more than a thousand mornings that i was doubled over in laughter and he was laughing so hard he couldn't talk either. and he was like that up until he left us. i paid close attention to him when he went to nights recently, and he NEVER lost that optimistic attitude, even in the face of all this, which we now know was far worse than Tim or Ric or anybody else let on. I was ticked off to hear those new guys in the morning, and i thought: HOW COULD THEY MOVE BAD DOG?? now i think i have the answer as to why. he was a warrior to the end. and funny warrior at that! R.I.P. Bad Dog. Twilight phones will take on a new significance henceforth. Tim, Bev, and Bad Dog were the crew that EVERYONE else in the business aspired to be. and make no mistake which one was the real draw there. I say WE ALL go to his funeral, and make it so big that they are overwhelmed. He deserves that at the very least.

auntie1947 writes:

So, so sad. I LOVED his laugh.

RIP, Big Guy!

Kyle_in_rure writes:

Requiescat in Pace Bad Dog McCormack.

thetruthx writes:

John McCormack has raised millions for the Ronald McDonald house here in Memphis. I think a name change is due, The John McCormack, Ronald McDonald House. We will miss you Bad Dog, RIP.

YeahYeah writes:

Brave fighter and a class act. RIP.

RuralSquirrel writes:

if you look up Rock 103 in the dictionary, there should be a picture of Bad Dog. he IS the personification of Rock 103 in Memphis. what a loss for his fans. this blows. royally.

RuralSquirrel writes:

in response to thetruthx:

John McCormack has raised millions for the Ronald McDonald house here in Memphis. I think a name change is due, The John McCormack, Ronald McDonald House. We will miss you Bad Dog, RIP.

the possiblities are endless. I fully expect that we will continue to hear his name for many, many years to come.

IAmStillMadLadChilly1 writes:

I'm gonna miss you, man... rest in peace.

Phoebesies writes:

We will miss him. My day was always made better listening to him in the mornings. To his family, know that he touched and enriched many lives with his HUGE personality. My prayers to all.

Algonquin_J_Calhoun writes:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Algonquin_J_Calhoun writes:

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever, in Jesus name, Amen

ronaldray writes:

in response to thetruthx:

John McCormack has raised millions for the Ronald McDonald house here in Memphis. I think a name change is due, The John McCormack, Ronald McDonald House. We will miss you Bad Dog, RIP.

Excellent idea about the name change. His wit and wisdom will truly be missed.

MaxHammer writes:

Very sad news.
A terrific and immediately recognizable Memphis radio voice and an irreplaceable talent.
Condolences to family and close personal friends.

YeahYeah writes:

in response to Algonquin_J_Calhoun:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Was that really necessary? Show some respect. This isn't a time to proselytize.

bbomar writes:

Will miss hearing your voice on the radio, your compassion, your generosity...What an amazing person and an amazing battle. You made me not miss home so much ... rip my friend!

Pippin writes:

What a wonderful man. My condolences to his family. My goodness, he will be sorely missed.

CosmicStargoat writes:

in response to Algonquin_J_Calhoun:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

I'm not taking the bait, not in this thread. John was a good Catholic and completely not disingenuous. We were not friends as such, but I did meet him and talk to him on the phone. He loved life and humor and was ground-breaking with his crew in slaying sacred cows. He's one of a kind, regardless of his religious views.

bporlando writes:

John, you brought so much joy to this world. Thanks for so many years of joy and laughter. You will be greatly missed.

TN1234 writes:

RIP Baddog. You were one of a kind.

CosmicStargoat writes:

in response to IAmStillMadLadChilly1:

I'm gonna miss you, man... rest in peace.

I feel kinda like I felt the day John Lennon was murdered. Break the mold.

LouBunch writes:

Bad Dog, you fought the good fight. You will be sorely missed by all you knew you. My condolences to your family. May they be comforted by the thoughts and prayers of others.

Rockford writes:

in response to Algonquin_J_Calhoun:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

He did! I hope you do too.

meanbuicks#384306 writes:

Bad Dog left the following message that's posted at Rock103.com:

"I have gone to be with God and he is holding me tightly and I am surrounded by many of the Ronald McDonald House kids. Do not say you have lost a friend. One is only lost when you don't know where they are.. you know where I am.

I thank each and every one of you for your support and prayers. I love all of you and that will never go away. When you are having a bad day, think of my laugh or a Twilight Phone or the time we met. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow, make every day great, be the spiritual leader of your family. May peace be with you. Your friend, Bad Dog."

I will surely miss his fantastic laugh.

tiggerintn#245437 writes:

I met Bad Dog on many occasions, he always remembered my husband and I, and he was a wonderful man. I will miss hearing his laughter. Prayers go out to his family.

ronaldray writes:

in response to YeahYeah:

Was that really necessary? Show some respect. This isn't a time to proselytize.

Agreed. Surely Bad Dog was keenly aware of his possible death and planned accordingly, in his own mind, physically and spiritually. In the end religion is quite personal. What anyone else believes about the hereafter isn't necessarily what others do. IMHO, he will continue to be a great benefit wherever he is now, just like he was before.
RIP Sir.

CommonSenseNE1 writes:

Hard to see through the tears....God bless your boys and your family, as well as the rest of us, who now have to go through life unable to hear that infectious laugh of yours. Heaven has a new angel tonight, that's for sure!

educated_redneck writes:

in response to Algonquin_J_Calhoun:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

He did.

MRTIBBS writes:

RIP John. You were the heart and soul of the crew.

loosebooub#232713 writes:

Thanks for all the laughs you have given us all these past years. May you spend eternity in the presence of God. You were and shall continue to be a source of amusement, strength and inspiration to all those who struggle against overwhelming odds with honor and integrity and true faith and trust in God's infinite goodness and justice. You will be sorely missed and never replaced. Rest in peace you f...ing prince.

Southerner writes:

in response to meanbuicks#384306:

Bad Dog left the following message that's posted at Rock103.com:

"I have gone to be with God and he is holding me tightly and I am surrounded by many of the Ronald McDonald House kids. Do not say you have lost a friend. One is only lost when you don't know where they are.. you know where I am.

I thank each and every one of you for your support and prayers. I love all of you and that will never go away. When you are having a bad day, think of my laugh or a Twilight Phone or the time we met. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow, make every day great, be the spiritual leader of your family. May peace be with you. Your friend, Bad Dog."

I will surely miss his fantastic laugh.

Wow. Just wow.

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