Adrian Cronauer
Radio DJ who inspired the Hollywood film Good Morning, Vietnam
BORN SEPTEMBER 8, 1938 - DIED JULY 18, 2018, AGED 79
EVERY morning in the mid-1960s American troops across Vietnam would tune into Armed Forces Radio at six o’clock to be greeted by Adrian Cronauer’s familiar upbeat catchphrase, “Good morning, Vietnam!”
The Dawn Busters show host wanted to boost the morale of soldiers, playing rock ’n’ roll music and entertaining them with his eccentric presenting style.
His story was the inspiration for the movie Good Morning, Vietnam starring Robin Williams.
Born in Pennsylvania, Cronauer listened to the radio as a child, inspired by local DJ Regis Cordic.
In 1957, he enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh where he co-founded the Student Broadcasting Association and began a campus radio station.
After joining the Air Force, Cronauer was sent to a radio station in Crete, where he coined the phrase, “Good morning, Iraklion!” In 1965 he transferred to Saigon, where he filled the host spot for Dawn Busters.
Ignoring his superior’s commands, Cronauer opted for the more edgy sounds of The Beatles and The Supremes over the preferred classical music, to help homesick troops.
Leaving after a year in 1966, Cronauer returned to America and continued in radio. In 1980 he married Jeane Steppe and, after moving to New York, gained a master’s degree in communications.
Eager to write a M*A*S*Hstyle comedy based on his experiences, Cronauer worked on scripts with fellow veteran Ben Moses.
They failed to interest anyone until 1987 when Cronauer’s story attracted the attention of Robin Williams’ agent and the Mork & Mindy star went on to play the DJ in the film.
Cronauer’s wife predeceased him in 2016, and he is survived by his stepson Michael.