As a Gen Xer, growing up in the late 80s and early 90s was a time of cultural shifts, political upheaval, and, for many of us, the discovery of voices that spoke to, and sometimes against, the mainstream narrative. One of those voices was Rush Limbaugh—a man who, love him or hate him, left an indelible mark on American media.
I still remember the first time I heard about Rush Limbaugh. It was 1990, and I had just graduated high school. AM radio was still going strong back then, especially in the cars we drove around. Work vehicles, in particular, often only had AM radios, which was where I stumbled upon Rush for the first time. The media was buzzing about this new national figure, branding him as a controversial and divisive voice—some even called him a racist. As an 18-year-old curious to understand what all the fuss was about, I decided to tune in and see for myself what this man was saying.
What I found was far from what I expected. Instead of the vitriol I had been led to believe I would hear, I encountered a broadcaster who was not only engaging but also entertaining in a way that drew me in. Rush had a way of making politics, a topic that many of us in our late teens and early twenties might have found boring, into something worth listening to. He was sharp, witty, and unafraid to challenge the status quo. Whether you agreed with him or not, you couldn’t deny that he was a master at capturing attention.
Some days, especially when there was a big political or news story, I couldn’t wait to tune in and hear what Rush had to say. You knew he was going to talk about it, and it felt like being on the edge of your seat, anticipating his take on the events of the day. Although I didn’t listen daily, whenever my trips in the car coincided with his show—which was a few times a week—I made sure to tune in. Rush kept me company during those drives, and sometimes, I even listened at home.
I kept listening, and for years, Rush was a regular part of my routine. His show became a sort of cultural touchstone—a place where ideas, no matter how controversial, were dissected and discussed in a way that was both accessible and thought-provoking. Despite the media’s portrayal of him, I never heard the racist rhetoric they warned about. Instead, I found a man who was deeply committed to his views and skilled at presenting them in a way that resonated with millions, including me.
For many Gen Xers, Rush Limbaugh was more than just a radio host. He was a reflection of a time when media was beginning to splinter into the partisan landscape we see today. He was part of the reason why AM radio remained relevant for as long as it did, even as FM, and later digital media, began to take over. Rush’s influence extended beyond the airwaves; he became a cultural force, shaping political discourse and bringing conservative viewpoints into the mainstream in a way that hadn’t been done before.
If someone like Rush were starting out today, there’s no doubt he would have made his mark as a blogger or a podcaster. The media landscape has shifted so much that the traditional platforms of the past have been replaced by digital ones. But the essence of what made Rush compelling—his sharp commentary, his ability to entertain, and his knack for sparking conversation—would likely have found a home on any platform.
As I look back on those early days of listening to Rush, I realize that his appeal wasn’t just in the content of his show, but in his delivery. He was a storyteller, a commentator, and an entertainer all rolled into one. He made you think, even if you didn’t always agree with him, and that’s what kept me, and many others, tuning in day after day.
In many ways, Rush Limbaugh was a product of our generation. He understood the need to be heard in a world where information was becoming increasingly fragmented. He thrived in controversy and used it as a tool to keep his audience engaged. As Gen Xers, we can look back and see how he not only influenced the media landscape but also how he became a voice that many of us grew up listening to, learning from, and, sometimes, arguing with in our heads.
Rush Limbaugh might be gone now, but his legacy lives on. For better or worse, he helped shape a generation’s approach to media, politics, and the art of commentary. And for those of us who were there from the beginning, his voice remains a significant part of our Gen X story.
