Rock Radio Heaven (C)
STEVE CANNON
Died: April 6, 2009
Also known as: King of the Kilohertz, Prince of the Airwaves
Stations: KSTP-AM, WCCO-AM Minneapolis
Notes: Was at KSTP for 13 years before taking his show "The Cannon Mess" to WCCO in 1971 for 26 years. His battery of characters, which he called "The Little Cannons" are themselves inducted into the Minnesota Museum of Broadcasting along with Cannon himself. He's the only inductee with two plaques - one for himself and one for his made-up characters. Signed off his show with the phrase "I got the money" except on his last show in 1997 when he said "I got the memories." Worked at stations in Mason City, Iowa, and in Stillwater, Bemidji and Duluth before arriving at KSTP-AM in the late 1950s. Also appeared as a sportscaster at KSTP-TV and did a kids show on WMIN-TV/WTCN-TV - now KARE-TV. Native of Michigan died of cancer at 81.
RICK CARROLL
Born: September 15, 1946, Contra Costa, Calif.
Died: July 10, 1989, Santa Monica, Calif.
Also known as: His real name was Rickey Floyd Carroll
Stations: KKDJ, KEZY, KROQ, Los Angeles, KLIV San Jose
Notes: Called the "Father of Alternative Rock Radio", this legendary programmer is credited with the much of the success of "New Music" KROQ with the "Rock of the Eighties" format. He also worked as a consultant for several radio stations. Rick died of complications from AIDS-related pneumonia.
JACK CARNEY
Born: August 23, 1932, Los Angeles
Died: November 27, 1984, St. Louis
Stations: WIL, KMOX St. Louis, WABC New York, KSFO San Francisco
Notes: Featured on Cruisin' 1958, as afternoon drive announcer on WIL. Also jocked in New Mexico, Milwaukee, Atlanta and Boston. Studied law at UCLA before going into radio. Famed for his on-air alter-ego "Pookie Snackenburg" Carney died while taking a swimming lesson at a St. Louis YMCA. His funeral was carried live on KMOX, where he had a long and successful run in morning drive beginning in 1971. Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2001.
JIM CARTER
Died: August, 2005
Also known as: Birth name was Johnny Yount. Known on air as Big Jim Carter, Spanky Elliot.
Stations: KNAK Salt Lake City, KACY Oxnard, Calif., KSTN, Stockton, Calif., KYNO Fresno, Calif., KEZY, KHJ Los Angeles, KGB San Diego, KCPX Salt Lake City, KPOI Honolulu
MARC CHAMBERS
Born: April 16, 1956, Regina
Died: May 2, 2008, Toronto
Also known as: Birth name was Marc Webber, which he used on-air early in his career as well as J. Marc. Also used the air name Marc James.
Stations: CHUB Namaino, B.C. (as J. Marc and Mark Webber), CJAV Port Alberni, B.C., CJVB (as Marc Webber), CFUN Vancouver (as Marc James), CJOJ Belleville, Ont., CHUM Toronto
Notes: Worked for the Oldies Network, and was a familiar voice for The Weather Network, Viewers Choice Pay-Per-View and Delta Airlines. Wrote for Broadcast Dialogue and was a popular speaker at schools and colleges. President of the multi-media company The MediaTech Group Inc. Hosted CHUM's weekly dances at Hollywood on the Queensway.
KEN CHANG
Born: September 16, 1937, Canada
Died: May 17, 1983, Los Angeles County, Calif.
Also known as: His birth name is Kenneth Alan Chang
Stations: CHUB Nanaimo, B.C., CFUN, CKLG, CJOR Vancouver, CKAY Duncan, B.C., CBS Los Angeles. Co-founder CKAY.
DAVE CHARITY
Died: November 22, 2008
Stations: WALL Middletown, N.Y., WPLJ New York
GENE CHENAULT
Born: June 19, 1919
Died: February 23, 2010
Also known as: His birth name was Lester Eugene Chenault
Stations: KYNO Fresno, Calif., KIQQ Los Angeles (owner)
Notes: Owned KYNO, Fresno, Calif., when he crossed paths with Bill Drake. He teamed with Drake in 1965 to launch KHJ, one of the most successful stations in the history of Top 40 radio. In 1974, Chenault and Drake founded Drake-Chenault Enterprises to syndicate radio formats. Chenault handled the business side and Drake the music programming of the company's formats, which were distributed first in reel-to-reel tapes and later by satellite. The duo also syndicated radio specials documenting the history of pop music, including "The Top 100 of the Sixties" and "The Golden Years." The company was sold to Wagontrain Enterprises in 1986. Died of lymphoma.
ROGER CHRISTIAN
Born: August 3, 1934, New York State
Died: July 11, 1991, Tarzana, Calif.
Also known as: His full name was Roger Val Christian.
Stations: WSAY Rochester, N.Y., KRLA, KFWB, KBLA, KHJ, KGBS, KIQQ, KRTH Los Angeles, KFXM, San Bernardino, Calif., XPRS, Express, Mexico
Notes: One of the original "Boss Jocks" at KHJ, he held down the 9 a.m.-noon spot. He was also a song writer (Dead Man's Curve, The Little Old Lady From Pasadena), actor (17 movies including the Carpetbaggers) and producer (Sugarloaf). Took his own life at the age of 56.
JUNIOR CHUNG
Died: July, 2005
Stations: CING-FM Burlington, Ont., CKMW Mississauga, Ont., CIDC Orangeville, Ont., CKDX Newmarket, Ont.,
Notes: Long-time manager at CING-FM, did a reggae show there for years. Died of cancer at 58.
HOWARD CLARK
Died: April 5, 2009
Stations: WKY Oklahoma City, WTIX New Orleans, KFRC, KYA San Francisco, WWDJ Hackensack, N.J., KOKA, KEEL/KITT/KVKI, KSYR, KLKL Shreveport, La., KBSF Springhill, La.
Notes: Worked in broadcasting for more than 50 years. Native of Bastrop, La., died of lung cancer only a week after being diagnosed with it.
TOM CLAY
Born: August 20, 1929, New York
Died: November 22, 1995, Los Angeles
Also known as: Birth name was Tom Clague
Stations: KDAY, KGBS, KPPC, KIQQ, KWIZ, KZLA, KPRZ, KMPC, KBLA Los Angeles, WCBS-FM New York, KDEO San Diego, CKLW Windsor, Ont., WWWW, WJBK, WJR, WQTE, WQTE Detroit, WSAI Cincinnati, WILD Birmingham, Ala.
Notes: Aside from his radio work, is perhaps best known for his touching recording of "What The World Needs Now Is Love/Abraham Martin and John" in 1971. It reached #8 on Billboard. Tom enthused "I loved radio so much ... I would pray the all-night man wouldn't show up so I could work another six hours." Died of cancer.
DICK CLAYTON
Born: August 20, 1927
Died: July 28, 1998
Stations: WIL St. Louis, WINS New York, WIP, WCAU, WIBG, WPEN Philadelphia.
Notes: Known for his "Afternoon Reading" of the Philadelphia phone book, and "Jungle Pick" series with Bill St. James on WIP.
AL "JAZZBO" COLLINS
Born: January 4, 1919, Rochester, N.Y.
Died: September 30, 1997, Mann County, Calif.
Also known as: Jazzbo (also spelled Jazzbeaux), birth name was Albert Richard Collins
Stations: WIND Chicago, WNEW, WINS New York, KNAK Salt Lake City, KMET, KFI, KLAC, KGBS Los Angeles, KSFO, KGO, KMPX, KKIS San Francisco, WTAE Pittsburgh, WIXZ McKeesport, Pa., KAPX Marin County, Calif., KSCM College of San Mateo, Calif.
Notes: Originated the "Purple Grotto" program on WNEW. Supposedly he was broadcasting from a place called the "Purple Grotto" three stories below the studio. One of the top jazz announcers in the U.S., he lent his voice to underground radio KMET in the early days of that station. Hosted NBC's "Tonight: America After Dark" for five weeks in between the tenures of Steve Allen and Jack Paar. Died of cancer.
BOB COLLINS
Born: February 28, 1942, Lakeland, Fla.
Died: February 8, 2000, Waukegan, Ill.
Also known as: Birth name was Harold Wallace Lee
Stations: WALT Tampa Bay, WRIT Milwaukee, WGN Chicago
Notes: Best known as a morning show host at WGN, but was a jock at WALT. Died when his private plane collided with a female student pilot who was also killed. Ironically, the plane crashed into the roof of a hospital that Collins helped raise money for in Zion, Ill., (Lake County) north of Chicago. Collins was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2008.
DAVE CONLEY
Died: August, 2005
Also known as: The Clean Living Kid
Stations: KACY Oxnard, Calif., KSEE San Antonio, Tex., KCBQ San Diego, KTNQ, KHJ Los Angeles, KAVR San Antonio
Notes: One of the original jocks on "the New Ten-Q" that debuted December 26, 1976. Also worked in Portland radio.
JAY COOK
Died: April 2, 1999
Nickname: Your "little bitty buddy"
Stations: WHBQ Memphis, WFIL Philadelphia, KIIS-FM Los Angeles, WYDE Birmingham, Ala.
Notes: Was at WFIL for 14 years and was also the PD there. Driving force in the start-up and development of KIIS-FM. Was president of Gannett Broadcasting when he retired in 1994. Died of cancer.
GEORGE COOPER
Born: October 30, 1933, Bangs, Texas
Died: November 17, 2003, San Antonio, Texas
Also known as: Nickname was "Super" Cooper
Stations: KBOX Dallas, KULF Houston, WINZ Miami, KONO San Antonio, Tex.
Notes: Spent 42 years in radio, 20 of them at KONO. Also involved in the Boy Scouts of America as a scout leader and Round Table Commissioner. He had a lifelong passion for music, playing the french horn and winning various state and national praises.
JACK L. COOPER
Born: September 18, 1888
Died: January 12, 1970
Stations: WCAP Washington, WEAW, WSBC, WJJD, WBEE, WAAF, WHFC, WEDC, WEHS-FM, WWCA, WMSC Chicago
Notes: Known as the first black deejay. Started in radio in 1922 at WCAP.
JIM CONNORS
Born: May 7, 1940, Pawtucket, R.I.
Died: February 24, 1987, Virginia
Stations: Armed Forces Radio, Istanbul, WYSL Buffalo, N.Y., WMEX Boston, WROC Rochester, N.Y., WJET Erie, Pa., WRKI Providence, R.I., WBSM New Bedford, Mass., WCIB Cape Cod
Notes: Inspired Harry Chapin's hit 'WOLD'. Received 13 gold records for discovering artists and-or their music. Died on a car crash.
REGE CORDIC
Born: May 15, 1926, Pittsburgh
Died: April 16, 1999, Los Angeles
Also known as: Birth name was Regis John Cordic
Stations worked at: WWSW, KDKA, WTAE Pittsburgh, KNX, KRLA, KMPC Los Angeles
Notes: Cordic's Pittsburgh morning show - Cordic and Company - had a staggering 85 share at the height of its long run. Had a running bit about the "Frothingslosh" beer which became Pittsburgh legend. Cordic was also a TV actor, and had a featured role in Darren McGavin's "Outsider" episodes on NBC. Was top voice talent for KABC, HBO and was featured in many commercials and cartoons. Hosted movies on WTAE-TV. Died of cancer.
JUDD (OTIS) COURSEY
Died: May 21, 2001, Oldsmar, Fla.
Also known as: Judd Otis
Stations: WSAR Fall River, Mass., WTXL Springfield, Mass., WAAF Worchester, Mass., WBUZ Fredonia, N.Y., WKSN Jamestown, N.Y., WFMW Madisonville, Ky., WDXN Clarksville, Tenn., KPUR, KQIZ, KKBQ Amarillo, Tex., WDRC Hartford, Conn., WRCQ Farmington, Conn., KULF Houston, WHBO, WUSA Tampa, Fla., KXGL, KJQY San Diego
Notes: Half of famous 'Bob (DeCarlo) and Judd' morning team at WUSA in '80s and early '90s. Was program director at WDRC for a time. The native of Dumas, Tex., died of stomach cancer at age 55.
BOB CRANE
Born: July 13, 1928, Waterbury, Conn.
Died: June 29, 1978, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Stations: WLEA Hornell, N.Y., WBIS Bristol, Conn., WICC Bridgeport, Conn., KNX Los Angeles, WTIC Hartford, WLEA Hornell, N.Y.
Notes: Best known for his starring role on "Hogan's Heroes". He was murdered in Scottsdale, Ariz.
FRANKIE CROCKER
Born: December 18, 1940, Buffalo, N.Y.
Died: October 21, 2000, North Miami Beach, Fla.
Stations: WUFO Amherst, N.Y., WWRL, WMCA, WRKS, WBLS New York, KUTE Los Angeles, WGCI, WNUA Chicago, WKKS St. Louis, KGFJ Los Angeles
Notes: Died of cancer. Was news director at WUFO in addition to being a deejay. It was said about him: "when Frankie Crocker isn't on the radio, your radio really isn't on."
MORT CROWLEY
Died: 1995
Also known as: Johnny Holiday (WADO)
Stations: WADO New York, WLS Chicago, WIL, WEW, KWK, KXOK, KMOX-AM, KMOX-FM St. Louis, WKNR Dearborn, Mich., WDGY Minneapolis-St. Paul, KIMN Denver
Notes: Was the first d.j. on WLS when it changed to a rock 'n' roll format on May 2, 1960. Also worked in New York and St. Louis markets.
BOB CRUZ
Born: March 19, 1952
Died: February 19, 1995
Stations: WINZ Miami, WLCY Tampa Bay, WABC New York
Also known as: Bob Morgan, Bob O'Brien
Notes: Raised in Levittown, N.Y. Cruz was chosen to replace Dan Ingram in afternoon drive at WABC in late 1970s mainly because he sounded so much like Ingram. The similarity is amazing. After WABC went talk in 1982, Cruz did studio work for ABC radio. Died of AIDS.
JACK CULLEN
Born: 1922, Vancouver
Died: April 27, 2002, New Westminster, B.C.
Also known as: Birth name was John Francis Cullen
Stations: CJAV Port Alberni, B.C., CJVI Victoria, CKMO, CKNW, CKST Vancouver
Notes: Once known as the 'Boy Disc Jockey', his 'Owl Prowl' show was a mainstay at CKNW for 50 years beginning in 1949. Has a collection of 300,000 records. Suffered from heart problems.