Pat Fant is a legendary Texas broadcaster best known as the architect of Rock 101 KLOL, one of Houston’s most influential rock radio stations.
Now, Fant is sharing with mikemcguff.com a bit about an accident he has been keeping quiet about lately, but he wanted to address it publicly to let the media community know what is happening as he awaits surgery.
Here is what Fant wrote:
"2026 has been a rough year for the Fants.
On May 3 I fell at home and hit my head hard enough on the floor to break my neck. The fall shattered my first 2 cervical vertebrae which form the spinal structure that holds up the head. The 911 ambulance guys knew exactly what had happened and put me in a cervical stabilization collar to immobilize the neck. I haven't had the collar off since that night 6 weeks ago. Turns out that a broken neck is just one step away from becoming paralyzed due to resulting spinal cord damage. That's the fear that never goes away until you can get in for the spinal fusion procedure.
Fortunately, I am set for that on June 30 which is where the titanium rods come in to re-stabilize the whole cervical structure and help lock everything in place as the fractured vertebrae fuse back together. I have to make it 2 more weeks to get rebuilt by the fantastic Methodist spinal neurosurgeons. After the operation and recovery, it is spinal re-hab in a specialized facility where you'll meet your new best friend Dr Morphine.
You may not think about any of this until you need it, but living in Houston does come with having the Texas Medical Center right up the street!
Then there is my Lydia. What an angel she has been through it all. Smart, gorgeous, sweet and loving, Lydia has really kept me safe and upright throughout this entire ordeal. She has made it possible for me to survive the whole thing and I love and appreciate every minute of her help. Thank you so much honey! And my 2 wonderful girls came down from Dallas to help out too.
This whole broken neck episode came right on top of a hip replacement last September (a shared experience with my friend Lanny Griffith,) So after this mess, I promise I am going to stay out of the hospital once and for all. I just want to go back to cold beer, hot BBQ, driving my classic Caddy around and writing another page of jokes for Uncle Otis - as is God's plan. At least I have had Fox News to keep me entertained while lying around waiting for bones to grow back together.
Pat's Broken Neck: Think of it like being in a motorcycle accident but without all the laughs!"
At just 21 years old, Fant became KLOL’s first program director when the station launched on August 7, 1970, introducing Houston listeners to a new era of rock radio by playing The Who’s “I’m Free” as KLOL’s first song and serving as its first on-air voice.
Fant later returned as KLOL’s general manager in the early 1980s, helping transform the station into a cultural force through bold promotions, memorable branding, and the station’s signature “Runaway Radio” identity. He recruited the legendary Stevens and Pruett morning show in 1985 and expanded KLOL into television and live events, including the iconic Holiday Ball.
After leaving KLOL, Fant launched Houston’s The Buzz and went on to lead stations including KIOL, KFNC, KRBE, KHJK and KTXQ. A graduate of the University of Houston, he later founded RFC Media, LLC and SuiteRadio LLC and is also the creator of the KISS Kasket.
A member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, Fant’s innovation and influence continue to shape Houston's broadcasting landscape.
- “Runaway Radio” wins three 47th Annual Telly Awards
- “Runaway Radio” scores major wins at the 32nd Annual Communicator Awards
