A 21-engine salute is in order.
Tom Magliozzi, co-host of NPR’s popular “Car Talk” program, died Monday at the age of 77.
“I have the sad duty to report today that Tom Magliozzi … passed away this morning due to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease,” read a statement from “Car Talk” Executive Producer Doug Berman.
According to NPR, Magliozzi, who co-hosted the show for 35 years with his brother, Ray, began "Car Talk" in 1977. The duo entertained auto enthusiasts and novices alike until 2012, when they retired. The show originally aired on WBUR in Boston but was eventually picked up by NPR for a national audience.
Magliozzi was a graduate of MIT, originally working as an engineer before finding radio success.
"Tom's been such a dominant, positive personality amongst us for so long that all of us in the public radio family — and I include our millions of listeners — will find this news very difficult to receive."
Hear Magliozzi's "infectious laughter" in this Newsy video:
Clint Davis is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.
