Local
La Crosse Mourns the Loss of Mike Hayes, Beloved WIZM Host and Local Legend
Long-time WIZM talk show host Mike Hayes has passed away, a few months after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.
Hayes was a familiar figure in La Crosse broadcasting for nearly 40 years. The Michigan native had worked on radio in several cities before arriving at WIZM in June of 1986. Hayes had hosted “La Crosse Talk” mornings on WIZM-AM from that time until just a few weeks ago.
Mike also carried his show over to the weekends, hosting the “Mike’s Market” buy-and-trade program on WIZM on Saturday mornings. On Thursday mornings, he celebrated his love for cooking on the weekly “Coulee Region Cooks” show.
In a message to fans back in September, Mike publicly revealed his health situation, and said he was making plans to get back into the studio. He concluded the message with a familiar line from his program…”Don’t forget to hug your kids.”
Listeners are encouraged to call in to “Mike’s Market” tomorrow morning (Saturday, Nov 29th) between 7-10am to share their memories of Mike. 608-785-7914
AL 16
November 29, 2024 at 4:17 pm
I’m miss Mike. We didn’t always see eye to eye but respected each other. La Crosse talk will never be the same. ” If you’re not having fun,you’re doing it wrong “. RIP Mike
The dude
November 29, 2024 at 7:45 pm
I am so deeply saddened by this news. Mike was a very level headed and balanced host. I will certainly miss and remember his morning commentary.
Laurie
November 30, 2024 at 1:33 pm
I am so sad to hear of his passing. I will miss his voice, opinions and enthusiasm on so many interesting topics. My husband remembers the billboards around town when Mike wanted to work for WIZM.
Libertarian Guy (LG)
November 30, 2024 at 2:07 pm
I write for my friend Mike, for his family, for all his colleagues at the station, and for the community…
I found Mike randomly on the air one morning many years ago. I noticed quickly that I found him entertaining and I thought, I should listen to him again. Soon I was doing just that. I developed a daily
Mike habit. My clock radio alarm was soon set to 6:00 AM so I could hear his signature, warm “Goooooood Morning” greeting and then his show would begin. I could listen in bed a while, while getting ready for work, brought the WIZM app live stream with me to hear over the shower spray and my wife’s hair dryer, over breakfast on the kitchen radio, in the car on the way to work until 8:00 when I arrived at my office. If I was appointment free at work, I could squeeze in another hour on my transistor radio at my desk until 9:00 when his show ended. I was hooked. I very much enjoyed calling to participate on the air with him.
Mike was personable, friendly, respectful, found entertaining guests, promoted community conversations with the public by his invitations and call-in segments, his people poll, his knowledge of local and national politics and his general knowledge of what was happening in the community. He would welcome suggestions from the community for people poll topics. He could talk with anyone. He would share text messages from listeners. He would text back as time permitted. He would sometimes ask guests questions submitted by his listeners or take a call from a listener while speaking with a guest. He did it all.
Mike truly loved the La Crosse community and the community loved him back. His regular guests called him friend. He was easily recognizable as a well known public figure. My wife first met him in the grocery store when she saw and approached him. As the host of Coulee Region Cooks he was probably planning to cook up something special at home. Mike and I had fun while he was on the air. Some listeners that opposed him politically would try to get to him. Many would not give a name so he would call them Al, short for anonymous listener. If they were getting to him, I would shoot him a text to remind him not to engage. He told me his former producer and author Mark Meier used to tell him the same thing. Way to go Mark.
In addition to knowing him on the air for years, I had opportunity to meet up with Mike a few times. They are all good memories I cherish. As a pilot, I invited him to fly with me. He accepted, met me at my home, drove together to the La Crosse airport, flew out of town to Lone Rock, had a meal and good conversation, and then flew back to La Crosse. Great guy that he was, I enjoyed getting to know him on a more personal level. We soon met up again when he invited me (and my family) to AirFest to sit in the WIZM VIP tent. Any yes, we got to have the proverbial beer and a brat together.
Sadly, I knew something was terribly wrong when he did not return to the airwaves after Labor Day weekend. I texted his personal phone and learned he was very ill. I have missed him greatly since his voice was silenced from the airwave last September. I am sadder still to learn of his passing as it sounded like there was hope he might return. My most heart felt condolences to his family, his friends, all his colleagues at WIZM, and all his listeners who cared about Mike the person. I am proud to have called him my friend.
Sam
November 30, 2024 at 4:52 pm
Rest in peace, Mike
Char
November 30, 2024 at 9:52 pm
May he rest in peace. He was a joy to listen to. I hope you are able to find another Mike.
Tom Grams
December 1, 2024 at 5:30 pm
I miss Mike every morning… best radio host in.La Crosse! RIP my FRIEND!
Southside Tom
Sue Lynch
December 3, 2024 at 3:47 pm
A wonderful guy for sure. He will be missed and I will treasure every memory we had together over the many years he was on the radio. Blessings to his family and know I will miss you my friend ❤️