Local News

San Antonio Radio Icon Bruce Hathaway Has Passed Away

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Last Friday, San Antonio radio star Bruce Hathaway passed away in the Metropolitan Methodist Hospital from a heart attack at age 78. MySA.com writes that he had back surgery in July 2016 and struggled with diabetes.

Hathaway was a legend on the Texas radio waves. He worked as a DJ for KTSA from the 1960s until the early 80s, and as the San Antonio Express-News explains, he continued on at “Magic 105.3 (KSMG-FM) and KONO AM and FM.”

“He was always encouraging to me and telling me what a good job I was doing. If I had to sum him up in a word, it would be ‘kindness.’ … We need more Bruce Hathaways in this world,” KTSA DJ J.J. Rodriguez wrote online after learning about the death of his friend.

Hathaway was also known for hosting a teen dance show inspired by “American Bandstand” called “Swingtime.” This historic show will be remembered as one of the first local programs to feature African Americans and Hispanics on an English-language channel.

Hathaway led a life full of fascinating stories. In 1964, he even picked up The Rolling Stones at the airport for their show at the Teen Fair of Texas at Freeman Coliseum! He remembers that they were rather smelly.

His memory will surely live on.