Sacramento radio lost a true original when Chris Collins passed away at age 65 after a brief but intense battle with cancer. Just two days shy of his birthday, Collins left behind a legacy that spans decades of broadcasting excellence, business ventures, sports management, and thousands of grateful listeners whose mornings he brightened.

The shocking speed of his decline caught even his closest friends off guard. As Tony Cox shares in this emotional conversation, Collins was intensely private about his illness, with many discovering he was sick only after his passing. The broadcasting community rallied around him in his final hours – a testament to the bonds formed in radio studios decades ago that never weakened with time.

Collins' approach to radio was revolutionary in its simplicity: be authentic, speak your mind, and never hold back. During his time at KSFM's Morning Zoo in the 1980s, the show achieved the unthinkable – a 50% share of Sacramento's radio audience. Half of all radio listeners chose one station, one show, one team of personalities to start their day. In today's fractured media landscape, such dominance seems almost mythical.

Beyond the broadcasting booth, Collins built an impressive career that included serving as the color announcer for San Jose Sharks hockey, managing three-time champion boxer Tony Lopez, and owning hockey teams. He was a man of strong opinions and stronger principles, refusing to compromise on either.

The stories shared by Pat Walsh and Tony Cox offer a glimpse into a golden era of radio when personalities weren't just voices but cultural touchstones in their communities. From battles with management to on-air mishaps, these tales reveal not just how radio worked but why it mattered so deeply to both the broadcasters and their audiences.

Listen to this tribute to a radio legend whose influence continues through the broadcasters he inspired and the industry he helped shape. If you loved local radio, if you remember when DJs were local celebrities, or if you simply appreciate hearing stories of people who lived life absolutely on their own terms, this episode is your backstage pass to a world that changed how Sacramento woke up each morning.