Goodbye Al and thanks for the memories: 'Voice of the Suns', Al McCoy dies at 91

McCoy would serve as the play-by-play 'Voice of the Phoenix Suns' for 51 consecutive seasons.

PUBLISHED SEP 22, 2024

The end of an iconic life and a legendary career.

Phoenix, Arizona: Al McCoy, the legendary announcer for the Phoenix Suns, died on Saturday aged 91. McCoy recently retired from a 50-year career that made 'The Voice of the Suns' one of the most recognizable, if not iconic, voices in NBA history.

Advertisement for Phoenix Giants radio with play-by-play by Al McCoy, 1958.

Born and raised in the small town of Williams, Iowa, McCoy grew up listening to the family's battery-powered radio as they did not have electricity. It was the voices emanating from this radio that sparked McCoy's dream of a future behind the microphone, imagining himself calling major sporting events in venues like Madison Square Garden and Chicago Stadium. "Not really realizing that someday that might come true," McCoy once said.

Desperate for a chance to work with the Phoenix Suns, McCoy created an edited tape of his work, which he presented to then-Suns general manager Jerry Colangelo. McCoy admitted that he may have altered the tape to make himself sound a little better than he actually was. "I have to admit, I edited the tape to make myself sound like maybe the best broadcaster you never heard," he said. It paid off.

McCoy would serve as the play-by-play 'Voice of the Phoenix Suns' for 51 consecutive seasons. He even developed a catchphrase for three-pointers that became instantly recognizable to Suns fans: “Shazam!” McCoy said the acronym for "Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury" came from his childhood comic book hero Captain Marvel.

McCoy’s final reflection on his career was a fitting end to a half-century of dedication to the game: "It’s been a great ride through the history of basketball, and the energy of the game kept me going."

Phoenix Suns Owner Mat Ishbia said, “From his first call in 1972 to his last in 2023, Al McCoy was there for every defining moment in our history. He was the heartbeat of our organization, a cherished friend, a mentor to many and a legend whose voice brought countless unforgettable moments to life for generations of Suns fans. We are heartbroken by the passing of our beloved Al, the voice of the Phoenix Suns for over five decades. Our thoughts go out to Al’s family, friends and to our entire Suns community.”

"I was blessed and honored to work with Al and I’m gonna miss him," Barkley added.

Suns superstar Devin Booker said that when Al was inducted into the Ring of Honor, "it was then I really understood what a special talent he was".

Charles Barkley called it a sad day for the Suns and the Suns family. "Al McCoy represented everything that is great about Phoenix, the Phoenix Suns and people who love basketball. I was blessed and honored to work with Al and I’m gonna miss him," Barkley added.

McCoy was preceded in death by his wife Georgia, a Valley artist who passed away in 2012. He is survived by his three sons and their wives, Mike and Tonya, Jay and Jennis, and Jerry and Teri, and seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.