WASHINGTON — Frank Harden, a radio host who spent decades on the air in D.C., died at his home on Friday, June 15. He was 95.
Together with his on-air partner, Jackson Weaver, Harden created “Harden and Weaver,” the morning show that ran on WMAL radio for more than 30 years.
The show, which was created in 1960, covered everything from the news, to traffic, to announcements for lost pets, all while avoiding controversy.
“The focus was on entertainment,” Harden said in a previous interview. “I think the most controversial thing we ever said was ‘good morning.'”
On its website, WMAL said that at one time one out of every four radio listeners in D.C. was tuned into WMAL, which was partially attributable to the success of Harden and Weaver’s show.
Harden played the straight man to Weaver’s cast of characters.
The duo would also play a daily hymn on the air every day at 6:55 a.m. followed by a morning march at 7:25 a.m.
The show’s purpose was to “pass the time away and catch the world as it goes by,” according to a jingle for the show from 1970.
“Harden and Weaver” ended with Weaver’s death in 1992, but Harden stayed on as the co-host of WMAL’s morning show along with Tim Brant and Andy Parks, through 1997. Harden retired shortly after his 50th anniversary at WMAL.
Harden is survived by his wife, the former Berit Hagelberg, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and of Stockholm, Sweden. He also is survived by three children from his first marriage to the former LaVerne Lawson; two stepchildren; a brother; and eight grandchildren.
