Radio Veteran Coyote McCloud Dies
Coyote McCloud 1943-2011
Music City radio icon Coyote McCloud died Wednesday afternoon, April 6 at age 68.
A veteran of the Nashville airwaves for more than 30 years, McCloud’s slogan when he broadcast pop oldies was, “He played them when they were new.”
He served on-air stints at WMAK, WYHY, WZPZ and WRQQ. He was also the first off-camera voice of CMT. One of his best-known jobs was as the leader of “The Zoo Crew” on Y107. As such, he was profiled on the CBS-TV show 48 Hours in an episode about radio’s so-called “shock jocks.”
He was also notable as the host of “Coyote and Cathy in the Morning” on WMAK-FM and WRQQ. That show ended in 2006.
Coyote McCloud died of cirrhosis of the liver at home on his houseboat on Percy Priest Lake. Ex-wife Susan Thomas, a former Tennessean newspaper reporter, was by his side with his dog Sawyer Black. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
McCloud wrote the 1984 hit song "Where's The Beef?," a play on the Wendy's slogan
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.
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I had the pleasure to meet Coyote around 1976 (at age 16) when he worked in the Atlanta Market.
A DJ I remembered from a great time in radio!
When I lived in Nashville during the mid 90’s I was thrilled to hear him again on the air.
My prayers go out to his family and friends.
Thank you Coyote for waking me up so many mornings. You will be missed.
I loved waking up to Coyote, rest in peace man. I have the liver thing and think you couldn’t have been at a more peaceful place than on the water…….look forward to hearing your magic again one day.
thank you Coyote McCloud for introducing me to Y107 and the tookie bird. your voice and comedy will be missed.
Coyote (William Lehman) had 3 other x wives, and he had 6 children, 3 that were his children but he raised 3 step children,and none of this is mentioned. He was with his former wife Elaine Weiss for more than 15 years. they lived in Hendersonville , Tn in a nice home and even though it was dysfunctional he raised Elaine’s kids and his two sons, one son lived with his mother. He had 3 son’s of his own. Troy and Scott & Clay. Troy died of AIDS and Scott died from complications of an automobile accident. Both son’s died with in 1 month of each other. I never saw Coyote McCloud that he was not drinking or drunk. I figure most people knew this. I hate to hear the news about him and he knew he did it to himself. Coyote was also adopted and was a twin. He never found that twin. Maybe that was the missing part of him that he missed just too much. He has other family out there that are being left out.
Those children that he raised with Ex Wife Elaine Weiss are Kelly, Derek, and Holy Greene and Susan Thomas has not returned any phone calls to them as they wanted to see their step father before he died. He was the only father that they knew even though their real father is living. The McCloud’s lived in Atlanta for years and back to Nashville. Elaine and Coyote were divorced in 1987. But they remained close up until the last year.
Sandy – is there anything positive you can say about the poor guy? Let him RIP – and on a side note are you perfect in every way? I highly doubt it.
Can you tell me the names of the 3 wife’s.
Thanks buddy for all the fun and though you may be gone,you sure will not be forgotten.
CAPPO
I always listened to Coyote and Cathy on the way to work and was thoroughly disgusted when the radio station changed format. Never listened to them again.
Coyote will always be associated with 9-11 for me. I had just turned on the radio while at a stop light on the corner of 21st and West End. He said, “Boy that is graphic video!” Now graphic video had always had the meaning of XXX videos (porn) (don’t know why as I do not watch such videos). I thought, “What is Coyote doing watcing XXX videos while on air and TALKING about them!?” Then he further explained what he was watching. I drove on to work but later viewed the same graphic videos.
Sad to see him go. He gave us lots of laughs and good music.
I worked nights at WLAC- Nashville in the mid 70’s and considered Coyote a great jock. In those days we all worked and played hard. We were both “night screamers.” We met a few times and I found him to always be friendly and kind. He was a real talent and I loved to compete with him. He loved Nashvile and Nashville loved him back. He was on the air over 40 years. Nuff said!
I wish him peace.
Bear
Zen Cymbala- NBCUniversal
I heard “Coyote” during the early 70s on WGOW in Chattanooga, where he was afternoon drive as “Bill Scott.” It was a struggling top 40 station, owned but basically neglected by Ted Turner, and Bill was the standout. Funny, funny guy. It’s no wonder he had such great success in larger markets.
Should also mention I that listened to Zen Cymbala (Bear Bradley) on WLAC around the same time. Another all-time great!
I knew COYOTE from our days at WGOW in CHATTANOOGA may he RIP
I knew William Lehmann aka COYOTE McCLOUD from our days at WGOW in Chattanooga in 71-71. we had re-connected via FB recently. I couldn’t rem. his wife VEDA’s name I rem. it as LETA. After seeing her response about their son CLAY we re-connected. May he RIP
lIVED IN mUSIC cITY IN 60!S LISTEN TO cOYOTE EVER CHANCE.hE WAS the man. wASN’T HE ALSO ON oLDIES 96.3 hE MAY HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS….BUT WHO HASN’T. He was to RnR what Ralph Emery is to country music. I say God Bless and rest in peace old friend.
Coyote and i first met while in chattanooga, i was nights at wfli and he was afternoons at wgow. I left and worked in huntsville and west palm beach and back to my home town of atlanta at wfom, while he was at quxie, talked about once a week and became even better friends, we’d talk while he was on the air and i myself..what great times..you’ll be missed my friend, save me an air-shift in rock n roll heaven and the hits just keep a’coming ..
Coyote, thank you for sharing your gifts with me, and everyone who knew and loved you.
You helped to brighten my days with your wit, your love of life, and your kindness. You are forever in my heart, which you stole a long time ago.
I worked with coyote for years at wmak…a finer man never lived…….
Nashville has lost another icon! Coyote will be missed by those who grew up during Nashville’s heyday. Rest knowing that you provided hours of enjoyment to so many over the years.