In HS during the late 70s I wore a navy blue chamois shirt, open over a t-shirt, largely because of Dr. Johnny Fever.
“Thanks for that on-the-spot report, Les. Uh, for those of you who just tuned in, the Pinedale Shopping Mall has just been bombed with live turkeys. Film at eleven.”
Aww, that’s the one I was going to mention.
Another favorite: Johnny is playing Pink Floyd’s “Dogs”, Mr. Carlson comes in the booth and hears the dogs barking. He picks up the “Animals” album cover.
A.C. “What’s this song called?”
Johnny: “Dogs.”
A.C. “Pigs on the Wing. I wonder what that one sounds like.”
Johnny: “Hey man, I don’t take requests.”
RIP Howard. You were awesome.
Johnny : Bigotry started a long time ago. Nobody knows where. I think the French started it.
RIP, Doctor. Ya done good.
Dr. Johnny Fever awakes from the dead:
I was going to say that the phone cops finally got him.
RIP, Mister Doctor.
I can’t believe I just “got” the Ferryman name. Also, I heard that Hesseman was an impeccable dresser IRL and never liked wearing the somewhat sloppy clothes Johnny Fever wore.
Loved that show.
John Caravella aka Dr. Johnny Fever aka Johnny Sunshine aka Johnny Duke aka Johnny Style aka Johnny Cool aka Johnny Midnight aka Heavy Early was one of the great television characters.
I’m wearing my “First Annual WKRP Thanksgiving Turkey Drop” t-shirt today, in tribute to Howard.
All these years later, I was waiting for the immortal line: “I’m sure all you doughboys out there remember that one.”
RIP, Howard. 
Oh damn. I loved Dr. Johnny Fever. RIP.
“Disco’s dead, thank God!”
And, sadly, so’s Johnny.
RIP from your fellow babies.
Hesseman was a regular on a lot more series than I’d remembered–all the way back to the Smothers Brothers ('68-69); Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, The Bob Newhart Show, Soap, One Day at a Time, and more.
He worked a lot; one can guess he must have had a sterling reputation in the business.
Condolences to his family and friends.
Johnny (as Rip Tide): You know that for the ol’ Ripper to play a record, it’s gotta have three things. It’s gotta have a beat, right?
Gotta Dance Kids: Right!
Johnny: And it’s gotta have soul, right?
Kids: Right!
Johnny: And it’s gotta be paid for, right?
Kids: Whaa…?
Johnny: Well, sure, if you want me to play your record, all it takes is a few dollars in the ol’ Ripper’s pocket, and I’ll make sure your record gets played.
Kid: Shut up and play some music!
Johnny: Hey, pizzaface, I’ll crack the whip, you make the trip, okay?
All paraphrased from memory. But thanks, Howard, for such a memorable character as Dr. Johnny Fever. Rest well.
For all who ever cued a record and slapped in a promo cart, the thing we all aspired to…
WRIP in Cincinnati
WKRP is taken…Billy Jack is taken…Head of the Class…
I see Michael McKean has tweeted:
Ah yeah, Hesseman was in “Spinal Tap.” I remembered him as a G-man at the end of “Clue,” which also had McKean. Come to think of it, he was also in an episode of “House, M.D.” He seemed so natural as an actor.
RIP, Mr. Hesseman.