David Brudnoy, RIP

David Brudnoy, "the most recognized voice of Boston talk radio for more than a quarter of a century" and one of the great hosts in the history of the medium, is dead at 64 from cancer. Reason extends condolences to his loved ones and listeners.

A frequent contributor to our pages in the '70s and '80s, David's work and life was marked by fiery tolerance, independent thought, and a refusal to apologize for an alternative lifestyle and contrarian views that ultimately earned him respect from both right-wing conservatives appalled by his homosexuality and left-wing identity politics mavens dismayed by his embrace of minimal government.

We did a short interview with him in 1997, on the occasion of his publishing autobiography, Life Is Not a Rehearsal. The Q&A is online here, the memoir here, and many obituaries here.