Kauf's Take: Going Out on Top--The Last Day of Terrestrial Radio with Howard

The account below is from my buddy Mike Kaufman, who attended Howard Stern's last show on Free Radio. I am sure if nothing else, it will encourage Stitzer to respond how much of a scumbag Howard is. $500 million later, I am not sure Howard cares what Stitzer thinks......

I had the pleasure of attending the Howard Stern Rally this morning outside K-Rock headquarters in New York on Howard's last day broadcasting on terrestrial radio. For Stern fans, the conclusion of his 20 plus years on WXRK in New York lived up to the hype and did not disappoint. Despite the threat of a transit strike and a good soaking last night and through the beginning of this morning's program, thousands of Stern fans filled 56th Street in Manhattan from 5th Avenue to 6th Avenue, while others were left wrapped around the block.
All the regulars were there, King of All Blacks, Beetlejuice, Wendy the Retard, Gary the Retard, MaryAnn from Brooklyn, John the Stutterer, etc. And yes, there were plenty of shapely young women who were more than happy to display their tatties. This was Mardi Gras in NYC. Fans flew in from all around the country. I met people from Boston, Seattle, Texas and Philadelphia amongst others.

Arriving at 3:30 am I was able to station myself outside the entrance way to the K-Rock building before being requested to join the rest of Howard's many fans out on the street, where I had the opportunity to speak with King of All Blacks, Riley and Shuli. I was positioned less than 5 feet from Baba Booey as he interviewed an exposed young lady shortly after 6 am (the first of the day to be interviewed live and topless) and got to see Sal the Stockbroker come down shortly thereafter and successfully request others to show their ample assets. It was also memorable to see Benjy running in at 5:50 (just beating the clock) and Artie arriving after the show had already started and getting interviewed by Gary about his whereabouts.
Shortly thereafter, security discovered that I was in a restricted zone and I joined the rest of Howard's loyal fans out on the street where people were universally having a great time. Instead of hearing complaints about the wet conditions, people were more intent on getting others to put down their umbrellas and just soak up the rain--it's only water after all.

The speeches by Howard's family and Fred, Artie, Gary, Robin and Howard were heartfelt and truly appreciative of the fans and of each other. Artie's mentioning that he first got turned on to Howard after listening with his father and wrapping up by saying that his biggest regret about his father passing away was that he didn't get the chance to hear Artie on Howard's show was indicative of the personal feelings that these folks have for their work and is why many fans keep tuning in. Howard's concluding speech about being the last of a dying breed and standing up against the FCC and finding a way to beat them at their own game before thanking all his fans was also the perfect ending for 20 years at K-ROCK that truly revolutionized radio as we all know it today. He was truly gracious to all, even Tom Chiusano his longtime GM and really went out on top.

Long live the King of All Media.