Childhood

Neil Rogers (Nelson Roger Behelfer) was born at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York on November 5, 1942.

Neil's first childhood home was on Ok Terrace in Rochester. He attended Brighton Elementary School. He later moved to 74 Fort Hill Ave in Canandaigua New York. Neil won a National Merit Scholarship at Canandaigua Academy in 1959.

Early Radio in Upstate New York (1959-1963)

Neil's first radio job was while he was still in high school. At age 17 he played music on WCGR in Canandaigua, NY. Then he attended college for two years at Michigan State where he studied broadcasting. After Michigan State, Neil returned to New York in 1963 where he worked for WBTA 1490 in Batavia, NY.

During this time Neil did baseball, hockey, and racing broadcasts.

Michigan Radio (1964-1973)

While in Michigan, Neil worked at:

• Albion, MI (WALM)
• Marshall, MI (WMRR) (1966 est) - High school basketball
• Sturgis, MI (WSTR)
• Kalamazoo, MI (WTPS) - General Manager, Program Director, Morning DJ
• Detroit - Took a job selling advertising on radio.
• Lansing - (station unknown)

The exact dates of stations are not known. The Tropic article does describe the sequence (listed above), which at times varies from Neil's recollection many years later.

While in Michigan, Rogers broadcast football and basketball games for Albion College.

Sarasota, FL (1973)

According to the Miami Herald, Neil began his talk radio career at WSPB 1450 in Sarasota, FL.

In 1973, Rogers moved to Sarasota, where quite by accident he did his first talk radio show. The station hired a retiree from Pittsburgh to do a talk show, but on his first day, the fellow couldn't figure out to work the phone and his guest didn't show up. The second day, the retiree's blood pressure soared and his nose bled. Rogers, who was spinning records at the station, came to the rescue.

West Palm Beach (1975)

Bill Calder hired Neil to work at WJNO 1290 (Palm Beach, FL)

Neil Begins Broadcasting in Miami (1976)

Neil's official start date for Miami radio was on March 1, 1976, when he started with WKAT. Neil was on from 3 pm - 6 pm. Prior to WKAT, Neil worked a few weekends on WIOD playing records.

On December 17, 1976 Neil came out as gay on the air.

Neil Rogers Nutrition (1977)

Neil owned a health food store called Neil Rogers Nutrition in San Souci.

WNWS (1978)

Neil Rogers debuted on WNWS on April 1, 1978.

Miami Hurricanes Baseball (1978-1983)

Neil did play-by-play for Miami Hurricanes baseball (1978-1982 on radio and 1983 on TV).

To Nashville and Back to Miami in One Month (1980)

On October 31, 1980, Neil left Miami and began broadcasting on WLAC 1510 in Nashville. After just one month he had enough and returned to WNWS.

WINZ (1984)

On March 1, 1984, Neil debuts on WINZ broadcasting from 8 PM to Midnight. On September 29, 1986, Neil moves his show to 10 AM - 2 PM.

Zeta 4 (1987)

On October 12, 1987, Neil moves to FM Radio when he debuts mornings on Zeta 4.

On November 1, 1988, Neil did his last show on Zeta 4.

WIOD (1988 - 1997)

On November 7, 1988 he debuted middays for WIOD.

In early December 1989, Glen Hill "The Bird" was fired from the Neil Rogers Show.

Neil Rogers suffered a stroke on April 2, 1990 and was back on the air 3 weeks later.

On June 22, 1992 the WSUN Tampa Bay simulcast begins. On April 29, 1994, the WSUN simulcast of the Neil Rogers Show ended. (date not confirmed)

On December 20, 1996, the Internet stream of the Neil Rogers Show begins. (date not confirmed)

The last WIOD show was on May 21, 1997.

WQAM (1997-2009)

After a 7 month radio hiatus, Neil Rogers joins WQAM. His debut show was on December 30, 1997.

Neil's TV show “Neil at Night” began broadcasting on Monday June 8th, 1998. The show Neil at Night ran on WAMI Channel 69 from 8:30-9:00 PM and again from 10:30-11:00 PM. The final show was on November 4, 1998.

Starting in March 2002, Neil began broadcasting most of the year from his Toronto apartment.

On February 9th 2003, Neil suffered a mild stroke.

Neil's last public appearance was on May 17, 2008 at Gulfstream Park and Casino in Hallandale.

On May 13, 2009, Jorge Rodriguez was fired by WQAM.

June 12th 2009 was the last Neil Rogers Show.

Retirement / Death (2010)

On December 24, 2010, Neil Rogers died at the Vitas Hospice at Florida Medical Center.

Memorial Service Produced by Sun-Sentinel / WSFL-TV: Neil Rogers Celebration of Life! 1942-2010

Artwork by Luis Amado

In 2016, Neil Rogers was inducted to the National Radio Hall of Fame.

Jorge Rodriguez passed away from a heart attack on July 3, 2020.

The HBO Documentary 537 Votes released in October 2020 featured numerous audio clips from the Neil Rogers Show.

In May 2022, the new owner of 1470 WWNN Pompano Beach FL began broadcasting archived Neil Rogers Show clips as "The Best of Neal Rogers" (misspelled) for an hour on weekdays. Six weeks later, the station was sold again and the Neil Rogers Show was taken off the air.

Today fans continue to listen to and enjoy The Neil Rogers Show on YouTube and the daily podcast.