Longtime Duluth Radio Host Passes Away

Bushey produced a weekly show in the studio that bears his name.

DULUTH, Minn. – For 26 years John Bushey has been on the KUMD airwaves, but last week he recorded his final show.

Bushey passed away last night after a battle with cancer.

He’s now being remembered by his KUMD family as a teacher, beloved man with many listeners all around the world.

Last summer, for the station’s 60th anniversary, a studio was named after him.

“People will remember him through his show of course, and in the community through his work as a teacher and so on,” said KUMD Interim Station Manager Ira Salmela. “His memory will live on the walls of KUMD as we named the studio. We were really pleased that we were able to celebrate that with him.”

Today, the John Bushey Highway 61 Revisited Studio is draped with a rose in his honor.

“John was very dedicated and he was just a tireless steward of Bob Dylan music,” said Salmela. “He was a fan of his music and a fan of Bob Dylan and he wanted everyone to feel that passion. He was very passionate and you could hear that in his show.”

KUMD will pay tribute to Bushey when Highway 61 Revisited airs at 5 p.m. on Saturday and play some of his favorite Bob Dylan songs.