Jamaicans reacted with shock and sadness on Saturday after learning that Alan Magnus, who for decades presented Radio Jamaica’s early morning show that not only entertained the nation but helped people keep track of time, had passed.

He was 80.

The veteran broadcaster, who was also known for his 1971 hit song Flying Machine, was hailed by the country’s leaders as one of the finest broadcasters to have graced local airwaves.

“I am deeply saddened at the passing of Alan Magnus, an icon of morning radio, a voice that resonated through the hearts of Jamaicans for decades. As a child, his voice woke me up in mornings, accompanying me on the journey to school. His voice was like a timepiece that kept the nation on schedule,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a statement.

“His legacy, both as a broadcaster and a recording artiste with the popular songs of yesteryear, Flying Machine and It’s A Beautiful Day,will continue to resonate in our hearts. His contribution to Jamaica’s media landscape will forever be cherished and remembered,” the prime minister said.

Noting that Magnus’s career spanned more than 45 years, having started at Radio Jamaica in 1971, Holness said he “curated a space in the broadcasting history of Jamaica”.

Known as the Good Morning Man, Magnus was invested with the national honour, the Order of Distinction in 1993 for his contribution to broadcasting.

Holness extended condolence to his family, friends, media fraternity, and former colleagues at Radio Jamaica and his “countless listeners who considered him part of their lives”.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange also expressed regret at Magnus’s passing which, she said, left Jamaica “with a heavy, heavy heart”.

“He left us accompanied by the love and fondness that a nation reserves only for an extra special citizen, which is precisely what Alan Magnus was,” Grange said in a statement.

“For more than 40 years, which was more than half of his life, through Radio Jamaica, Alan Magnus joined Jamaicans in their homes, entertaining them, informing them and educating them with his charm, wit, and humour in a style that was uniquely his own. Many Jamaicans also relied on Alan to be their timepieces in the morning,” she said.

She noted that after his official retirement from RJR in 2017, the station and the nation still wanted more of him so he continued with a weekly feature in which he was interviewed by the co-hosts on the morning show.

Grange, too, spoke of Magnus’s musical recordings, saying that he not only loved to talk, he loved to sing.

“Sadly, we will also recall that in 2019, within four days, Alan lost his wife, Karlene “Kerry” Magnus and his ‘radio wife’, co-host, Dorraine Samuels. Following their deaths he had asked on air, ‘What are the odds of the two most important people in your life passing almost to the hour four days apart?’ ” Grange said.

“Five years later, Allan has gone to join Kerry and Dorraine, leaving us deeply saddened, but with a legacy unparalleled in morning time radio broadcasting in Jamaica. The voice of the Good Morning Man has now gone quiet but will continue to be as resounding as ever in our hearts and memories.

“My deep sympathy to his children, grandchildren, relatives, friends, and associates and to the RJRGLEANER Communications Group family,” she said.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding also expressed sadness at Magnus’s passing and described him as “a stalwart in the world of radio” whose legacy in the industry will be remembered with immense respect and admiration.

“Alan Magnus was known for his professionalism and passion for journalism which were evident in every broadcast. His authoritative yet warm tone made him a trusted source of information for Jamaicans from all walks of life, as he became an integral part of our cultural landscape,” Golding said.

“In an era where the media landscape is ever-evolving, Alan Magnus remained a steadfast pillar of journalistic integrity. His commitment to presenting the facts, fostering meaningful discussions, and promoting the rich cultural tapestry of Jamaica set a standard that aspiring broadcasters should hope to emulate,” Golding said. “May his influence continue to inspire generations of broadcasters to come.”

The RJRGLEANER group said they were left heartbroken and devastated by news of Magnus’s “unexpected passing”.

The company noted that Magnus was on air up to late December with his checking-in morning feature in Sunny Side Up with Paula Ann Porter-Jones.

“Magnus has been on Radio Jamaica for over 50 years since his first engagement in 1971. Alan’s impeccable punctuality, his dexterity as a broadcaster, his adaptation to all the technological changes introduced, and his unfailing addition of clear diction, humour, valuable information with a smile will be hallmarks that will not be forgotten,” the group said.

“His encouragement to others and his willingness to teach others as he went along will be remembered for a long time. Though he retired from the morning show almost a decade ago, Alan remained on air with the feature Touching Base with Alan Magnus on Mondays on Radio Jamaica. He is remembered also for the excellent outside broadcasts he executed and showed that he was not only loved and regarded in Jamaica, but drew hundreds to his broadcasts when he travelled, including to do the morning show from the London Olympics in 2012,” the group said.

Group Chief Executive Officer Anthony Smith described Magnus as “an iconic broadcaster who served the Jamaican radio audience with distinction for decades”.

He added that Magnus “was considered one of, if not the best morning radio announcer that we have had in Jamaica” and “will surely be missed”..

Smith said the Group extends sincere sympathies to Magnus’s family members, friends and close work colleagues.

People’s National Party spokeswoman on information and public communication Nekesiha Burchell said Magnus’s “presence on the airwaves has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of Jamaicans across generations.

“Alan Magnus was not just a broadcaster, he was a national treasure whose voice resonated through the airwaves for decades. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of tuning in to his morning programmes,” she said.