Dallas Radio Has Lost a Legend, Linwood Henderson, Better Known as Cuzzin' Linnie

By Robert Wilonsky Fri., Jul. 1 2011 at 8:40 AM

Cuzzin' Linnie as seen in KLIF promotional materials in the early 1970s

It's likely you never knew Linwood Henderson by his real name; few did. For decades, since the late 1960s, he was better known by his other name: Cuzzin' Linnie, or Cousin Linnie to the uninitiated. His was an estimable career that stretched all the way from KLIF (when it was The Mighty 1190) during its go-go rock-n-pop days to KXXK ("For Groovy Grown-Ups") to KKDA-AM (Soul 73, from which he and Al Lipscomb and John Wiley Price were unceremoniously dropped in 1998) to KNON. And he was the first disc jockey in Dallas to break radio's color barrier -- the "first guy to play soul on a rock radio station," says KNON's Weird Warren Harris, who'd worked with Linnie for a decade.

He's been ill for a more than a year; a Friend of Unfair Park directed me in May to this message board, which said only that "hospice has now been called in, and arrangements are being made." Then, a couple of weeks ago, came this sad news: "His organs are starting to shut down and they are just going to keep him comfortable until something happen." Moments ago, Harris sent me the following note: "A LEGEND of Dallas Radio has passed away. Cuzzin Linnie passed last night peacefully in his sleep."

I'll update this item when funeral arrangement are made available.

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Jimthomas

I worked opposite the Cuz at WFAA in 1974 and talked to him on the phone a few times. RIP Cuz...You will be missed.

Sweet Thang

The world was a better place because Cousin Linny was in it. Now it will be a much sadder place with him gone.

sonya alexander

Lady B., dont be sad.Just think of all the fun,funny things that Cousin Linny said and did.You know he was a happy person and would always kind a word of encouragement in the form of a poem to say to you when you were down.He played a very important role in alot of peoples lives and because of that we are who we are.He said not to ever weep for him, for his work down here is done, and til we meet again on the other side, May His Pease Be With You..Cuz was my patient, he was like a brother to my aunt so like a uncle to me and a motavator that ALWAYS had a smile on his face and a song in his heart. Yhat's who I remember and will hold on to those memories.So Lady B. when feel sad for Cuz, just think of that song in your heart and I know it will put a smile on your face Be Blessed~LadyBug~

Lady B

I'm at a loss. It's official. All the awesome people in my life are now gone. The people that made me who I am today. I literally grew up with Cuzzin Linny. He gave me my nickname Lady B back when I was in middle school. He was always there for me as I grew up with all his wisdom and advice from school projects, home work, to life in general. All thru middle school and High School he knew my alarm clock was set to 6:30 am and every morning I woke up to Ring My Bell. It was my fav song then and still is today. I even have it as my ringtone.

Gm893

KNON will be having a celebration of the Life and Legacy of Cuzzin Linnie on Sunday July 10 at Poor Davids Pub in Dallas. Admission is free. The Silvertones, The Tu-Tones, and Sonny Collie will play. Doors open at 5 pm. A collection will be taken to help pay for Cuz's funeral costs. Funeral info is: Viewing Friday July 8 7pm to 8pm Golden Gate Funeral Home 4155 South R.L. Thornton in Dallas, Funeral is Saturday July 9 at 1pm Church of the Living God 3711 Biglow in Dallas. Donations for the funeral cost are accepted at Golden Gate Funeral Home. Cuzzin Linnie spent his last decade in radio here at KNON. He played what he wanted and did it like he thought radio should be done. He will be missed.

Joyce Foreman

RIP Cuzzin Linny. We will miss you.

MushMouth1

Sad news. He was one of the greats. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

cynical old bastard

Rest in peace, Cuz. Yas Suh!

Buckeye

Speaking of radio, Robert, you need to get get over to the Ticket more often to discuss Dallas news. My favorites from this morning:

1) "Have you heard of the Inland Port?" Silence: one-mississippi, two-mississippi.2) "Have you heard of Mark Halperin?" "Oh, yeah, I've heard of him." "That name sounds familiar." You should have followed up with, "Tell me who you think he is." That would have been funny.

Some insightful discussion once in a while would be nice. I've grown tired Gordo's potty stories. Maybe I'm just getting old.

Chris Danger

I agree, wilosky, why hasnt village voice/DO jumped on the opportunity to do a local-based podcast or webshow via Ustream?? Id love to see you guys and gals debating local issues..

Robert Wilonsky

Well, first, thanks, Buckeye -- but I think I'm more of an ever-so-often kinda guy. People love Gordon; me, they barely tolerate.

And, Chris, I've thought about it, but truth told UP takes up so much of my time that I am not sure I can squeeze something like that in. I wanna do a real radio show playing music -- like I said this morning on The Ticket, hopefully Gimarc and I can and will resurrect Till 2 as some thing.

Buckeye

Oh yeah, and....... By the way, worst Muse in the News ever!

scottindallas

Perhaps you owe it to the city to do "Community Quick-hits." It's painful to hear them out of their element, they have a folksy genius on issues they've considered, but there are a few gaps in their understanding of things. That said, they follow college sports and other assorted sports bits far more than I can. You could really help to educate the "average idiot" with that spot, you could do that phoning it in.

Chris Danger

You and Gimarc should get that back up and running, always like hearing you guys on the air. If Cumulus/KLIF can give Janine Turner a couple of hours on saturday night to act like a nut, they can surely fit you two in on a slot at "The Little Ticket" on late friday nights.

Also, maybe its the fact im getting older, but I dont find Gordon Keith, Corby or any of the other yuck monkeys there funny anymore, they come off really sad in a way, like how HS/College ball players try to hold onto their glories when they know their time has passed...

Chris Danger

Linwood Henderson was one of the people who helped break the color barrier in broadcasting in the turblent 60s, exposing white audiences to amazing music they would'nt have heard elsewhere. He wasn't only an innovator, but a good man as well. Heres hoping cuzzin' linnie is spinning discs for all the groovy cats and chicks in the great radio station in the sky...

Lgibson

I was Linnie's news man on the KLIF all-night show for awhile back in 1970. That was one of the great experiences of my life. Linnie was a unique character. Corporate radio has no room for guys like that now. Sad.

Stacy Richardson

Well, Lee beat me to it. I also did a little bit of news on Linnie's show as a terrified 17-year-old, on the air for the first time, in 1970. He was a great encouragement to me and I am sorry he is no longer with us.