Rock Radio Heaven (O)
JIM O'BRIEN
Born: 1939, Galveston, Tex.
Died: September 25, 1983, New Hanover Township, Montgomery County, Pa.
Stations: KBBQ, KHJ Los Angeles, KCBQ San Diego, WOR-FM New York, WFIL, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KLIF Dallas, CKLW Windsor, Ont.
Notes: Replaced Ron Jacobs as p.d. at KHJ in 1969. Was a TV weatherman and news anchor at Philadelphia's WPVI-TV in early '80s when he died in a parachuting accident near Pottsdown, Pa. He had been skydiving for just over five years and it was his 814th jump. Jim's daughter is Peri Gilpin, the "Roz" character on the TV show "Frasier."
JOE O'BRIEN
Died: July 24, 2005, Lenox, Mass.
Stations: WMCA, WNBC, New York, WHUD Peekskill, N.Y.
Notes: Spent 34 years at WMCA starting in 1935. Did the morning show at WMCA during its glory years as a rock station in the 1960s. Went to WNBC's morning show until 1972, when he was replaced by Don Imus. Next stop was WHUD where he did a regular show until 1986 and specials until 2000. Also made guest appearances on WCBS-FM. Was 90 years old when he died in a car accident. Native of Yonkers, N.Y.
RON O'BRIEN
Born: October 24, 1951
Died: April 27, 2008, West Chester, Pa.
Also known as: Big Ron
Stations: KBAB Indianola, Iowa, KYNA Des Moines, Iowa, KUDL Kansas City, KTLK, KZDG Denver, WQXI Atlanta, WCFL Chicago, WOR-FM, WXLO, WNBC New York, KFI, KIIS, KBBQ Los Angeles, KWK St. Louis, WCFL Chicago, WOKY Milwaukee, WFIL, WXYR-WLCE, WOGL Philadelphia
Notes: Raised in Des Moines, Iowa. Was afternoon host at WOGL at the time of his death. Hosted syndicated radio program "On the Radio" from 1985 to 1992. Nominated twice for Radio & Records Top 40 DJ of the year. Was 56 when he died of pneumonia.
THOM O'HAIR
Died: January 10, 2001, Eugene, Ore.
Stations: KCSE California State University at Chico, KSAN-FM, KMEL, KOFY, KKCY San Francisco, KMET, KFI Los Angeles., KQFM Portland, Ore., WQIV New York
Notes: Program director at KSAN-FM during the station's early days as a rock station. Also concert and record promoter. Named major market program director of the year in 1975. Founded Hog Ranch Radio, which aired the twice-annual Strawberry Music Festival. Was general manager of Fat Music Radio Network, on online radio station based in Santa Cruz, Calif. The Chicago-born and raised O'Hair died of complications from a stroke at age 58.
BOB OSBORNE
Stations: WIL AM and FM, KMOX AM and FM St. Louis
Also known as: The Night Mayor of St. Louis, Ozzie (to his friends)
Notes: Was PD at WIL-FM. PD at KMOX AM and FM, GM at KMOX-FM, music director at KMOX-AM. Held down evening slot at WIL-AM during its heyday as a rocker. Died in mid-1980s.
DON OWENS
Died: February, 1966
Also known as: Big Daddy, birth name was Donald Victor Owens
Stations: WLCY Tampa Bay
Notes: Morning man at WLCY. Died in motorcycle accident.