This morning, Donnie Simpson bid farewell to D.C. radio, after a 32-year career in the industry. Simpson has been the morning voice on WPGC (95.5 FM) for as long as I can remember — or more specifically, he’s been the smart, reasonable, clever cornerstone of their morning show since 1993. A disagreement with station management lead the legendary broadcaster to bow out of his current contract early. He hasn’t announced his next steps yet, but he did treat fans and friends to lunch at Ben’s Chili Bowl today after his final show (which went on two hours longer than normal, to accommodate for all of the phone calls from well-wishers like Stevie Wonder and Wyclef Jean).

Simpson, whose bright green eyes you’ve surely seen on a passing bus card, has had a career that’s spanned much longer than his time in D.C. Michael Jackson’s death this summer served as a reminder of the weight Simpson really carries in the music industry, with a list of close personal friends that reads like an issue of Billboard. Smokie Robinson, Usher and many more big names called in that day to mourn the loss with Simpson. Simpson then proceeded to tell story after story of his personal relationships with Jackson and his family.

The man has quite a biography. He began his career on Detroit radio before moving to D.C. in 1977. Once here, he oversaw the transition of 93.9 WKYS from disco to hip-hop. He was a back-up anchor for the recently departed George Michael’s Sports Machine. He hosted a show on BET. And he became the first non-syndicated radio personality in an urban format to make over $1 million per year.

Simpson’s friendly, informed voice will be sorely missed in the local radio landscape.