CELEBRATING THE RADIO CAREER OF DENNY LONG (Retired in 2026)
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Denny Long retired from WCCO Radio on May 30, 2026, concluding an extraordinary nearly 55-year career at the station and more than 60 years in broadcasting.
A Northeast Minneapolis native, Long discovered radio while attending the University of Minnesota and later studied broadcasting at Brown Institute. His career began in Webster City, Iowa, followed by positions in Owatonna, Minnesota, and at KRSI in St. Louis Park.
In 1971, he joined WCCO Radio as music director and on-air host for its AM and FM stations. He remained with WCCO-AM for the next five and a half decades, becoming one of the Twin Cities’ most familiar radio personalities.
Over the years, Long hosted and produced a wide variety of programs covering home improvement, gardening, automotive topics, travel, health, and consumer issues. Known for his warm conversational style, he also interviewed numerous entertainers and public figures, including Gregory Peck.
Long often said he felt fortunate to spend his life in radio, crediting the many talented people he worked with throughout his remarkable broadcasting career.
(excerpts of the above from an article written by Mary Burns for SAG-AFTRA)
1972 - WCCO-FM: Denny Long - October 16, 1972 (provided by Al Arneson/Rick Burnett)
All following airchecks are from WCCO Radio
1993 - Denny Long and James St. James (aka Jimmy Hollywood) "Alive in Hollywood."
1993 - Denny Long and Timothy D. Kehr (provided by Tom Oszman/TCMediaNow)
Timothy D. Kehr passed away in 2013. In the mid 1960s, Kehr produced “Liar, Liar,” by the Castaways (Billboard #12). He also arranged and produced “Nowhere to Run” By the More-Tishans, secured recording contracts for Crow (“Evil Woman Don’t Play Your Games With Me”), Northern Light (“Minnesota”) and others. Kehr managed two music publications: the Music Scene and the Insider. In 1967 and '68, Kehr wrote the column "Musically Yours" for the local TV Digest. From 1968-1980, Kehr worked for Columbia and Epic Records, Motown, 20th Century, and Polydor. During this time, Billboard Magazine named him executive of the year 1972 Through 1978. In 1980, Kehr left the record business to open his own advertising agency in the Twin Cities. Kehr also developed himself as a local television personality as a host of late night television from 1976-1986. In 2010, Kehr broadcast the True Oldies Christmas Show on WDGY-AM.
2008 - Denny Long and Bruce Hagevik make a phone call to Ireland to a motorcoach driver that worked a WCCO Good Neighbor Tour that Denny hosted.
2026 - Denny Long Second to Final Show - May 23, 2026
7 am Hour (Car Care and Wine Chat)
8 am Hour (Smart Gardens)
9 am Hour (Home Improvement Show)
2026 - Denny Long Final Show - May 30, 2026
7 am Hour (Car Care and Wine Chat)
8 am Hour (Smart Gardens)
9 am Hour (Home Improvement Show). During this hour, Denny signed off the air for the final time. Former WCCO staff including Bruce Hagevik, Dave Lee, Mike Lynch, Steve Murphy, and longtime partners from Lindus Construction, joined Denny during his last hour.
1974
1984
