The Rocker’s Biggest Stories of 2021: February

In February '21, talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh passed away, as Benson and Bobby take over mornings on RKR. Notable Kalamazoo visitors included Governor Whitmer and President Biden.

As we begin a hopeful new year in 2022, we take a look back at the biggest stories of 2021 here in Kalamazoo, around Michigan, and across the rock and roll world. These were the big stories in February of 2021 that everyone was talking about.

Talk Radio Icon Rush Limbaugh Dies 

• "Excellence in Broadcasting" host Rush Limbaugh lost his battle with lung cancer and died at 70 years old. Dittos, Rush

Benson + Bobby Takeover Mornings on The Rocker

• After 34 years playing "Today's Best Music" on 103.3 KFR, local legend Dave Benson moved up the radio dial to 107.7 RKR to play the music he grew up with. Bobby Guy shifted from afternoons to join Benson to give you the rock you need to roll out of bed and start your day. Rock veteran Tommy Carroll took over the Rocker workday, with Eric Meier playing tunes for your ride home before Uncle Joe and Ultimate Classic Rock Nights.

Governor Whitmer and President Biden visited Pfizer in Kalamazoo

• Pfizer made worldwide headlines for its groundbreaking work on developing the Coronavirus vaccine, and dignitaries Governor Whitmer and President Joe Biden made separate visits to the facility in Portage in February of 2021.

Kalamazoo Gets Another Roundabout

• We've got one of the most dangerous intersections in the state, but that didn't stop plans to add another roundabout for motorists to navigate. This one is now complete and terrifying drivers at Gull Road and G Ave.

Super Bowl Commercial Forgets the UP Exists

• You know Super Bowl commercials are expensive. Apparently, they didn't pay the artist enough to include Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the Jeep ad with Bruce Springsteen. C'mon, man!

Of course, being February in Michigan, there were lots of weather-related stories that people were talking about in 2021, as Battle Creek named its massive snow-removal machine "Chewy" and people were fascinated by intense triple ice volcanos discovered on Lake Superior. We also learned that, after a year off like everything else in 2020, we would have the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival to look forward to in 2021.

Next up, we'll look back at March as more live events began returning and Kalamazoo landmark gets new life, and Wahlburgers and Chic-fil-A make the scene.

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