Rock Radio Heaven (X-Y-Z)
JOE YOCAM
Rock Radio Heaven (X-Y-Z)
JOE YOCAM
Born: May 1, 1918, South Bend, Indiana
Died: Mar. 3, 1974, Balboa Island, California
Stations: KVOE, KFWB, KLAC, KCET-TV Los Angeles, WASP Borger, Texas
Notes: Was one of the original "Swingin' Seven Gentlemen" on KFWB in 1958. After his KFWB days, he became a staff announcer at KCET-TV.
ROBY YONGE
Born: 1943, Fort Jackson, South Carolina
Died: July 18, 1997
Also known as: The Big Kahuna
Stations: WABC, WCBS-FM New York, WQAM, WMRZ, WFUN-WVCQ, WIOD-WCKR Miami, WTMC Ocala, Florida, WMYQ, WKAT, WLQY-WHYI Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Notes: Was fired on-air on WABC when he broke format to speculate about the "death" of Beatle Paul McCartney. Did many voiceovers for TV commercials. Died of an apparent heart attack.
RITCHIE YORKE
Born: January 12, 1944, Brisbane, Australia
Died: February 6, 2017, Brisbane, Australia
Also known as: Birth name was Ian Annable
Stations: FM 108 (CING-FM) Burlington, Ontario, ABC Radio, Q-107 (CILQ), CHUM-FM, CFNY Toronto
Notes: His long list of awards includes a juno for being Canadian Journalist of the Year in 1972. Wrote seven books, including two on Led Zeppelin. His articles appeared in numerous publications, including the Toronto Telegram, The Globe and Mail, Rolling Stone, NME and Brisbane's Sunday Mail. Helped plan the John Lennon-Yoko Ono bed-in in 1969. Major advocate of Canadian content regulations, which were established in the early '70s. His 1971 book "Axes and Hot Licks" was the first book to devoted entirely to any music scene outside of the U.S. or England.
BILL YOUNG
Born: November 29, 1939, Honey Grove, Texas
Died: May 31, 2014
Stations: KRBA, KTRE Lufkin, Texas, WACO-AM Waco, Texas, KOIL Omaha, KDOK Tyler, Texas, KILT, KTRK-TV Houston
Notes: Program director at KILT from 1966 to 1981. After leaving KILT founded Bill Young Productions, a leader in live entertainment promotion. Directed more than 100 music videos for artists like George Straight, Clay Walker and Clint Black. For years did newscast voiceovers for KTRK-TV. Authored "Dead Air: The Rise and Fall of Music Radio." Directed first-ever concert ever filmed in HD when he shot the George Strait Festival at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Original inductee of Texas Radio Hall of Fame. Died at age 74 after a lifelong battle with Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency.
STEVE YOUNG
Died: December 8, 2008
Stations: WAXQ, WNEW-FM New York, KISW Seattle, CITI-FM Winnipeg, CJET, CFRA Ottawa, CKLC Kingston, Ontario, CHIQ-FM Winnipeg, CJFM Montreal, CJAY Calgary, KLUC Las Vegas, KRQQ-FM Tucson
Also known as: Was Neil Edwards at CJET
Notes: Programmed WAXQ and KISW. Was PD at CITI-FM where he changed his name from that other famous Winnipegger named Neil. Operations Director at WNEW and WAXQ. Regional PD of Nationwide's western region including KLUC and KRQQ. Had own consulting firm, Youngradio management. Was Senior Programming Consultant and Director of Rock and Pop Programming at Dial Global for eight years. Died at age 55 while on a cruise.
JOHN ZACHERLE
Born: September 26, 1918, Germantown, Pennsylvania
Died: October 27, 2016, New York
Also known as: The Cool Ghoul
Stations: WCAU-TV Philadelphia, WABC-TV, WOR-TV, WPIX-TV, WNEW-FM, WPLJ, WXRK-FM (K-ROCK), WCBS-FM (guest appearances) New York, WNJU-TV Newark, New Jersey
Notes: Hosted WCAU-TV's "Shock Theatre" from 1957 to 1958 and WABC-TV's "Zacherle at Large" from 1958 to 1960. Had a Top 10 record with "Dinner For Drac" in 1958. Also hosted "Disc-O-Teen", an American bandstand-style show on WNJU-TV in 1965. Remembered for his guest appearances at Halloween on WCBS-FM. Got his nickname "The Cool Ghoul" from Dick Clark.
ZEKE ZDEBIAK
Died: March 5, 2002
Stations: CHUM, CHUM-FM, CITY-TV Toronto
Notes: Started at CHUM as an operator in 1972. Thirty years later, he was still there as CHUM's Production Manager. Won countless awards for his production work. Died of a heart attack at age 52.