Dick Biondi

He was known as The Screamer, The Wild I-tralian, The Big Mouth, and The Supersonic Spaghetti Slurper. He was wild, loud, unconventional, fast-talking and possessed with enough energy to light up a small city. And while he caused his bosses to pull out their hair at times, the kids just loved him.

Richard O. "Dick" Biondi was born September 13, 1932, and he was one of Top 40 radio's most beloved and versatile talents as well as a true radio rebel.

Dick Biondi's lifelong love of radio began at an early age, when he was allowed to read a commercial on WMBO, Auburn, New York. His father, Mike, an Endicott fireman, and mother, Rose, encouraged him in his goal; at the time it was to become a sportscaster. He went on to work behind the scenes and learned about broadcasting at WINR, Binghamton, New York, where one of his co-workers was a young Rod Serling. Another co-worker, himself a sportcaster, took an interest in the young Biondi and began working with him on pronunciation and diction.

He continued on to KVOB, Alexandria, Louisiana, but it wasn't until working for KSYL in Alexandria, that Biondi started doing music shows.

It was here where he became acquainted with Rhythm and blues. Career moves took him to York, Pennsylvania and WHOT-AM, Youngstown, Ohio. When Dick arrived there, Rock and Roll was on the airwaves and he began doing local appearances with such stars as Fabian, Paul Anka and Bobby Darin.

At a 1956 Cleveland Elvis Presley concert, Dick was able to get Elvis to sign the shirt he was wearing; when he returned to the crowd, Presley's frenzied female fans started tearing away at it. Biondi wound up at a local hospital, much to the amusement of Elvis."Thank you...thank you very much."

He was picked up in 1958 by WKBW 1520 AM in Buffalo; at WKBW if conditions were right, Biondi could be heard in Europe. After a dispute at WKBW, Biondi jokingly described his boss's car on the air, said where he would be driving, and asked his listeners to throw rocks at it. Someone did as Biondi asked and he was fired the next day. He worked at WEBR in Buffalo before gaining fame in 1960 on Chicago's 50,000 watt WLS, which covered most of the United States east of the Continental Divide.

Dick is swarmed by admiring fans.

On stage at a live event.

To promote the WLS "Bright New Sound" which premiered 2 May 1960, ABC executives did some advance publicity by bringing two of its new personalities to Chicago early. Biondi and colleague Bob Hale made the media and music rounds. After their first big day as the representatives of the new WLS, they returned to the station that evening to begin asking for and taking collect phone calls from any point in the United States. Calls came in from across the country as well as from a couple of ships at sea.

Biondi recalled that the first record he played on the new WLS was "Teddy Bear" by Elvis Presley. Many record company executives considered him to be a vital part of the hitmaking process.

Playing a record on his show gave it maximum exposure to a very large listening audience. He was the most popular night time DJ in the Midwest. In response to the record, "There Was Fungus Among Us", Dick issued his listeners "Fungus Licenses".

Dick is manning the mic at WLS on May 2, 1962. [ LISTEN ] (55:00)

In 1963, Biondi left WLS over a dispute involving the number of commercials on his radio show. Rumors and urban legends still persist that Biondi told an obscene joke on the air which resulted in his being fired.

The many faces of Dick Biondi.

Part of Biondi's hiatus from radio was spent making a record album, Dick Biondi's Favorites - the Teenagers with Ray Stevens. He moved to KRLA, then the #1 Top 40 station in the Los Angeles market.

At KRLA, Biondi was in good company working with other legendary radio personalities, including Bob Eubanks, Casey Kasem, Emperor Bob Hudson and Dave Hull. Not long after arriving there, Dick created The Dick Biondi Road Show which brought new acts to perform at high schools all over Southern California.

In 1964-65, between KRLA stints, he hosted a nationally syndicated show, Dick Biondi's Young America, carried by 125 stations on the Mutual Broadcasting System. Through this program, Dick was heard on WCFL 3 years prior to his signing with the station.

Allegedly Dick Biondi was the first DJ to spin a Beatles' record on the air in the United States... [ MORE ].

During his time with the Mutual show, Biondi obtained exclusivity rights for records for all of his subscriber stations; this was a big boost to their ability to be competitive in smaller radio markets. He returned to KRLA in early 1965, soon after the Mutual show was cancelled.

Biondi returned to Chicago on WCFL 1000 AM in 1967. In addition to his regular airshift, Dick also did many specialty shows for WCFL.

Dick is working at KRLA in Los Angeles on June 14, 1965. [ LISTEN ] (19:17) and Dick again, this time at WCFL in Chicago on January 3, 1969. [ LISTEN ] (17:02)

This aircheck includes news from Bill Reese and there are stories from reporters in the field. Bill also reads a quick sports update and the weather before throwing it back to Dick.

Pop Goes the Music and In the Beginning were looks back at early Rock and Roll. This Is Elvis explored the life of Elvis Presley, while Dick Biondi Labels the Blues delved into that aspect of music and the influence it had on Rock and Roll. Dick Biondi and Friend was an interview program featuring then current popular music stars. There was also the weekly "Vietnam Show" that allowed listeners to send greetings to family and friends serving overseas; copies went to Armed Forces Radio Network.

Big 10 Countdown August 24, 1970.

WCFL: August 1, 1971.

In 1972, after a short time at WMAQ (AM), he left Chicago once again, working at WBZ Boston, WSAI Cincinnati, and a decade-long stint on WNMB in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Here's a classic aircheck of Dick's first show at WSAI in Cincinnati on August 16, 1972. [ LISTEN ] (43:49)

Beginning in 1976, during his time at WNMB, Dick produced a syndicated program called, Dick Biondi's Super Gold Rock and Roll which was syndicated to about 60 radio stations. WNMB began rebroadcasting shows in February 2010.

In the early 1980s, former WLS DJ Bob Sirott was a reporter for WBBM-TV. He did an ongoing feature show called, Where Are They Now?, which located and interviewed former famous Chicagoans who had slipped from local prominence. Dick was the subject of a Where Are They Now? show in 1982; it was enough to rekindle local radio professional interest in him and Biondi returned to Chicago the next year-briefly working at WBBM 96.3 FM.

In 1984 he was the signature voice for the launch of the new Oldies station WJMK 104.3 FM, where he was heard until the station switched formats in June 2005. Biondi, along with the Oldies format, was kept on a digital subcarrier HD2, but he was released in July 2006, along with all other on-air personalities.

The kids loved him.

c.2012, Dick Biondi, John 'Records' Landercker & Fred Winston.

In November 2006, Biondi started on WLS 94.7 FM, where he hosted from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Central Time (formerly from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.). In November 2015, his show was moved to weekend mornings. Columbia College, Chicago presented Inside the Radio Studio with Dick Biondi & Herb Kent-100 Years On the Air on 10 April 2010. Both men were still on the air until Kent passed away on October 22, 2016.

In May of 2017, Biondi released a statement declaring his intention to return to air after reportedly recovering from a leg ailment for which he was hospitalized.

In 1961, while at WLS, Dick received the Gavin Top 40 Disc Jockey of the Year Award; in 1966, when he was at KRLA, he was Billboard's most popular late evening DJ. In 1995, Biondi was honored in an exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with other legendary disc jockeys. He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1998, with the message, "He's an okay guy.". In 2011, Biondi was inducted into the Southern Tier Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed 1 May 2010 "Dick Biondi Day" in Illinois. The Chicago City Council also honored Biondi's longevity in Chicago radio by naming a street in his honor, "Dick Biondi Way". His ambition is to become the oldest active Rock and Roll disc jockey in the United States; says Biondi, "I'd like to die with my earphones on."

WHERE DID DICK WORK? Here is the list: WMAN, WHOT, WKBW, WLS, KRLA, WCFL, WNMB-FM, WBBM-FM, WJMK, WZZN, and WLS-FM.

Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Airchexx, indychauffuer.

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Charlie Greer

He was one of the original “Swingin’ Seven At 77” in December 1960 when WABC became a music radio station, and he stayed longer than any of the air personalities on that initial roster, continuing with the overnight show until September, 1965 – and again from May, 1966 to August, 1969.

He is best known for doing the overnight show, which due to the bounce in WABC’s signal during those hours was heard in 39 states and some foreign countries.

Charlie & Queen Kong

Before WABC, Greer was at WAKR Akron, Ohio. After WABC, he was at WIP Philadelphia, WRKL New York and WHAM Rochester, N.Y.

While he also worked mid-days at WABC for several years, Greer is best identified with the all-night show at the legendary New York station. Greer was the first midday voice when WABC debuted as a Top 40 station on December 7, 1960. He moved to midnights in 1963 and back to mid-days in 1965 before returning to the all-night show in 1966. He stayed there until he left the station in August, 1969.

If you like 1950s radio, you'll enjoy this aircheck of Charlie spinning wax at WAKR Akron, on June 5, 1959. Lots of classic '50s commercials (Tetley Tea, RC Cola, Sunoco, Pall Mall, Firestone, Rayco, Camel, Goodyear, Vaseline Hair Tonic) together with the personality and fun that is sadly lacking in today's radio. [ LISTEN ] (32:42)

Greer's easy-going friendly style was perfect for WABC, a station that emphasized personality within a tight format. His live reads of the famous Dennison's commercials are part of New York radio lore. And while several others did the all-night show at WABC, he's probably the best remembered.

Greer jocked at WAKR in Akron, Ohio, before moving to WABC in 1960. After leaving WABC, he moved to WIP Philadelphia in 1969 and in the 1970s returned to New York at WCBS-FM (he also participated in that station's radio reunions in the '80s and '90s.) Greer also worked at WRKL New York and WHAM Rochester, NY.

WABC New York December 30, 1964 (25:42) [ LISTEN ]

Any discussion of the great all-night jocks in Top 40 radio history should certainly include Charlie Greer, one of the greatest of them all.

Charlie is behind the WABC mic once again on October 5, 1965. [ LISTEN ] (31:27)

Many commercials are offered in this scoped aircheck, including a classic Winston cigareetes jingle. There are also two news segments in this recording. The first is headlines and then right back to Charlie. The second is a full ABC Network newscast at the top of the hour, anchored by none other than Peter Jennings.

[ LISTEN ] to another WABC aircheck with Charlie still rockin' at the turntable, this time on August 2, 1969. (23:50)

Charle passed away in 1996, at the age of 73.

Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Internet Archive

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Gary Mitchell

CKLW began using the Drake format in April 1967, but it wasn't the Big Eight at first. CKLW initially branded itself as "Fun Radio 8" or "Radio 8." The "Big Eight" designation began to be used in July 1967, shortly after this aircheck was recorded.

One of the early voices in CKLW's Drake era was Gary Mitchell, who appeared in middays in 1967 and 1968.

Mitchell, whose real name is Barry Silverman, was also at WUBE Cincinnati, WIBG Philadelphia and in Texas at KLVI Beaumont and KUT and KNOW Austin. After 12 years as program director at WABB Mobile, Alabama, he went into private business in 1979 as owner of Soundworks Studios in Mobile.

Here's Gary on February 17, 1968 behind the mic at CKLW. [ Part 1 ] and [ Part 2 ] Again on CKLW July 13, 1967. [ LISTEN ]

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Herb Kent

Born October 5, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois Herbert Rogers Kent, also was known as "The Cool Gent," "King of the Dusties" and the "Mayor of Bronzeville." Kent stated that he arrived the same year as singer Fats Domino, actors Adam West and Shirley Temple, as well as Mickey Mouse, Rice Krispies, Louisiana Hot Sauce and penicillin.

Kent grew up an only child in the Ida B. Wells housing project in Bronzeville and showed an early fascination with radio, building makeshift devices out of toilet paper inserts, crystals, wires and earphones, he said in a 2015 interview with the Soul Train website.

Kent got his start in radio while still a student at Hyde Park High School. In 1944, at 16, he hosted a classical music program for WBEZ, according to a profile in the National Radio Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 1995.

WVON April 1970.

Early on, he often recalled, a white professor told him he had a great voice but never would succeed in the business “because you’re a Negro.”

“That was my signal to make a difference and from that day forward, I pushed harder and eventually landed an on-air paid job.”

He spun records at WGRY in Gary, Ind. making $35 a week, while also acting in radio dramas for NBC affiliate WMAQ. Through the 1950s, Kent worked at WGES, Chicago’s largest Black radio station, then at WBEE where he coined the phrase “dusty records” or “dusties.”

He then worked at WJOB in Hammond, Indiana. and WHFC in Chicago. As a DJ, Kent is credited with putting acts such as Smokey Robinson, Minnie Riperton, The Temptations and Curtis Mayfield on the musical map, and he also helped "Soul Train" host Don Cornelius launch his broadcasting career.

Kent spent several years at WVON-AM 1690 as one of the station’s original DJs, which he called the “apex” of his career. The station, whose name originally stood for “Voice of the Negro,” enjoyed enormous popularity and became a fixture in Chicago’s Black community. Kent, alongside Franklin McCarthy, E. Rodney Jones, Wesley South and Pervis Spann, comprised the first core group of WVON personalities, known as “The Good Guys.”

Herb circa 1971.

Herb Kent will forever be remembered for his incredible talent, infectious passion for music, and unique ability to entertain and uplift. Herb was among the greatest radio personalities in the history of the medium, and he was always eager to mentor the next generation.

His legendary career spanned decades, throughout which he consistently used his voice to transcend boundaries and strengthen communities. Herb Kent gave, and meant so much to the people of Chicago...and legions of his loyal listeners.

"Dusty Record Time" February 26, 1965

The last 27 years of his life Kent worked at WVAZ-FM, 102.7 in Chicago. He passed away on October 22, 2016. It also became the day of his final broadcast.

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Art Roberts

Art Roberts was known as Chicago's "hip uncle" for his work on AM radio in the 1960s and '70s. And to teenagers of that time he was a godsend for bringing them the rock 'n' roll they craved. Art was born and raised in New York City. He attended Southeastern Louisiana University, in Hammond.

While attending college he met and married Bobbi Voorhies, a New Orleans Southern Belle.

Art with the Beatles, The Byrds, and Sonny & Cher

After graduation, Art and Bobbi headed across the border to Texas, where Art launched his radio career in the thriving town of Atlanta and KALT. Art and Bobbi left Atlanta for KTBB in Tyler, then KLIF in Dallas.

His radio career bloomed rapidly. They moved to WCUE, Akron, Ohio, WKBW, Buffalo, and then WLS in Chicago, where they stayed for 10 years. He was one of seven young, star disc jockeys hired by WLS to bring rock to Chicago, and in the process, he helped make it one of the most dominant stations in the country.

Art is at WLS playing records on January 1, 1966. LISTEN to segment [ 1 ] (32:06), [ 2 ] (18:22), and
[ 3 ] (51:32).

The date is August 25, 1967 and Art is on the air at WLS. [ LISTEN ] (43:08)

This aircheck features Riverview Park (kids' favorite in Chicago), News (there's trouble in Chicago-land), Vietnam bombing strategy, and more. Drag Racing at Indianapolis Raceway Park, Casey Stengel for the '67 Rebel, more news, and more music.

Roberts started in the early afternoon slot, then took over the popular 9 p.m. to midnight gig from Dick Biondi. Along with spinning the most popular music of the day, Mr. Roberts was known for telling bedtime stories about "the head that ain't got no body" and creating fictitious characters like "Hooty Saperticker," who wanted to go through life doing nothing.

Eventually, Art added WKQX, Chicago, WOKY and WBCS, Milwaukee, Wisconsin KNBR and KNEW, San Francisco, California, and KLUV, Dallas and KBUC / KXTN, San Antonio, Texas to his list of success stories.

Many of the radio stations with which Art has been associated are recognized as legendary call letters in the broadcast industry. His experience has encompassed all areas of broadcasting: talent, operations, sales, station manager, and general manager. Art died on March 6, 2002 at the age 70.

WHERE DID ART WORK? Here is the list: KALT, KTBB, KLIF,,WCUE, WKBW, WLS, KNBR, WCFL, WOKY, WKQX, WBCS, KLUV, KBUC, KXTN, KWKH, KDOK, and KGVM.

Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Internet Archive

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Robert W. Morgan

In 1965 Robert W. Morgan arrived in Los Angeles as the original morning "Boss Jock" at 93 KHJ. His "Good Morgan" was a signature that awakened Los Angeles everyday.

If you needed help on an exam or homework , Robert W Morgan added boost with "Zap you've been Morganized." He left LA for what he thought was greener pastures but returned and entertained listeners in Los Angeles for over three decades.

As a youth growing up in Galion, Ohio, Morgan's interest was piqued while listening to his favorite DJs on Cleveland's top forty giant KYW which would eventually lead to his first on-air job at Wooster College in 1955 on WWST & WWST-FM, for an initial salary of $1 per hour.

KHJ survey #346 c.1972.

In 1959 Morgan moved from college radio to KACY Port Hueneme (Ventura), California where he hosted the overnight show called Kegler's Spare Time with Bob Morgan live from the Wagon Wheel Bowl before moving on to a succession of brief stints beginning in 1961 at KTEE Carmel.

He was the second half of a two-man classical music program with Bob Elliott, a Marine Corps Heavyweight Champion who later went on to radio fame as "K.O. Bailey," then a short time later as the morning drive DJ and mid-day board-op for the Arthur Godfrey Show at KMBY, Monterey, then a jump to KOMY Watsonville, then back to KMBY Monterey followed in 1962 with a stint at "K-MAKE", KMAK, Fresno where he first worked with program director Ron Jacobs.

Robert W. with (left) Johnny Williams and Don Steele, and Batman!

This was followed in 1963 by an eight-month stay at KROY Sacramento before finally landing his first major-market job in 1964 at KEWB, Oakland-San Francisco. It was here that he met and worked with his lifelong friend "The Real" Don Steele.

On April 27, 1965 the careers of Morgan, Steele and programmer Ron Jacobs would gain superstar status almost overnight when they joined the staff of KHJ-AM, Los Angeles.

Programming genius Bill Drake along with a staff of talented DJs called "Boss Jocks" had transformed a sleepy giant into the city's most dominant radio station. It was here that Morgan enjoyed his greatest on-air success as one of the original "Boss Jocks" on 93/KHJ which dominated the Top 40 radio market in Southern California from 1965 to 1973. Morgan's signature slogans, "Good Morgan Boss Angeles!" and "Arise and Morganize" would become familiar to his devoted morning drive time audience until the end of his career.

CRUISIN' 1965
[ LISTEN ] (45:20)

August 8, 1970
[ LISTEN ] (26:36)

Two pages of the promotional booklet from Robert’s road trip with the Monkees

"Ladies and gentlemen, the beat goes on" with Robert W. on KHJ in Los Angeles, October 18, 1968. [ LISTEN ] (1:01:51)

It was also Morgan that voiced many of the "Boss Radio/93 KHJ station promos and imagery. It was also during this time that Morgan co-produced and narrated the 48-hour History of Rock and Roll in 1969, a definitive on-air encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. It was the first-ever "rock-umentary" aired worldwide as a definitive history of the Rock & Roll genre produced Drake and Gene Chenault, stretching from the early 1950s to 1989.

Good Morgan! Here is Robert working feverishly (actually, he's running late), at KHJ in Los Angeles on October 2, 1970 (in two parts, and it's unscoped) [ Part 1 ] (1:08:22), [ Part 2 ] (41:48).

In 1970 Morgan made a surprise move from Los Angeles to WIND Radio Chicago where he remained in the morning slot until finally being enticed back to his KHJ morning show in 1972.

Until his departure from KHJ in October 1970, Morgan had commanded unparalleled radio ratings in Los Angeles. Morgan's return to his former time slot in L.A., saw a significant spike upward for KHJ until he departed just a year later.

In 1973, Morgan and Steele walked out of KHJ and joined Bill Drake six months later at KIQQ-FM, Los Angeles. With sub-par ratings Morgan left the morning slot a year and a half later for weekends and fill-in slots at the prestigious KMPC Los Angeles.

He did that for four years before legendary morning man Dick Whittinghill retired in 1980, allowing Morgan to go back to mornings. He stayed at KMPC until 1984. After a short stint at KMGG, Morgan returned to KMPC.

The Groovy Show.

Morgan also appeared on television as host of several variety shows, including Morgan’s Alley, ABC’s In Concert, NBC’s The Helen Reddy Show, and KHJ-TV’s Groovy Show, which he co-hosted with teen model Kam Nelson. Morgan was also the announcer for Solid Gold throughout most of the 1980s.

Morgan was heard in 1973 on Saturday night segments of the long-running NBC Radio program Monitor, an attempt to freshen that program's image. While with KMGG, he was at one time heard as a substitute host of American Top 40. During the mid to late 70s, Morgan also did his own one-hour radio weekly special highlighting one artist or group per show. "Robert W. Morgan's Special of the Week" was often played on radio stations that also carried Casey Kasem's American Top 40 as the same company, Watermark, distributed both.

KMPC, December 23, 1983, 7-8am hour, and the jock is Robert W. Morgan. His story of how the first Angel came to be on top of the Christmas tree and Big John McElhinney's telling of "The Little Red Sled" are highlights of the "Good Morgan Team Christmas Concert". [ LISTEN ] (43:01)

The year 1992 would signal the twilight years of Morgan's distinguished radio broadcast career when he signed on as morning show host of "oldies" K-EARTH 101, where he again enjoyed solid ratings in the Los Angeles market before announcing in May 1997 that he was suffering from lung cancer. According to L.A. radio personality Bob Shannon, Morgan told his listeners, "It could have something to do with the two-packs-a-day cigarette habit I had for the last 35 years." In an emotional on-air statement, Morgan stated that he was taking some time off to fight the disease full-time. His friend and colleague Don Steele died of lung cancer as well nine months earlier, in August 1997. Morgan continued to do broadcasts from his home studio until 1998.

Morgan with The Real Don Steele.

On January 9, 1998, K-EARTH 101 held a retirement tribute for Morgan at the Museum of Television and Radio in Beverly Hills. The tribute included a re-dedication of his Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and a three-hour broadcast from the museum’s theater, hosted by Gary Owens and Morgan's KRTH co-host, Joni Caryl. It concluded with a thirty-minute retrospective on Morgan’s career, narrated by Dick Clark.

Morgan died on May 22, 1998. He was 60 years old. Morgan was married twice and was survived by a daughter.

In addition to receiving Billboard magazine's Air Personality of the Year award in 1967, Morgan was awarded the Gavin Professional Programmer's Man of the Year Award, a citation from the National Association of Broadcasters for "Significant Achievement in American Broadcasting." He was also unanimously elected into the Ohio Broadcasters' Hall of Fame.

Samples of his work are on permanent display at the Museum of Broadcasting in New York City, the Museum of Television & Radio in Beverly Hills and the International Broadcasting Congress archives in Brussels. He also has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, just outside the Kodak Theater complex on the corner of Hollywood and Highland.

WHERE DID ROBERT WORK Here is the list: WWST, KACY, KMBY, KMAK, KROY, KEWB, KHJ, WIND, KIQQ, KMPC, KMGG and KRTH.

Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: 710 KMPC, Rock Radio Scrapbook, Internet Archive, Airchexx.

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Hy Lit

The fast-talking old-style rock ‘n roll DJ went by the names “Hyski,” and “Hyski O’Rooney McVoutie O’Zoot,” but was born Hyman Aaron "Hy" Lit on May 20, 1934 in south Philadelphia. He was heard in the Philadelphia area from the 1950s until 2005.

Lit, whose family moved from Fifth and Ritner Streets to 46th Street and Osage Avenue when he was young, got started in the business in 1955, fresh out of the University of Miami.

He was known as "the Jet Jockey on Flight 99" which was the frequency for WIBG. He flourished in radio alongside such popular Philadelphia DJs of the early rock era as Frank X. Feller, Dean Tyler, Jimmy Bishop, and Joe Niagara.

Mr. Lit's biography credits Georgie Woods, another influential radio personality, with saving him one night during an early appearance, when the mostly African American audience did not believe that the white man at the microphone truly was Hy Lit. It's said that in the 1960s, Mr. Lit's nighttime show on WIBG drew three-quarters of the listening audience, many under covers defying parents' direct orders to shut off that music and go to bed.

Lit dominated AM radio from the late 1950s through the 1960s as one of WIBG's "Good Guys," as his Hall of Fame show drew a 71.0 market share (unheard of before or since.) He released several successful LP "Hall of Fame" collections of music he played on the show, the last of these when he joined WPGR in 1981. Around 1978, Lit moved to California after a brief but successful stint with the Harlem Globetrotters before once more returning to the Philadelphia area. In 1977 WIBG went off the air forever. Jerry Blavat was the last DJ on the air.

With the Beatles and the Rolling Stones

Since 1982, and many years to follow, Lit hosted a live oldies radio show at different area clubs (most notably the Woodbine Inn in Pennsauken, New Jersey), where he'd close his commercials by saying, "I wanna see your face in the place!" Lit moved to WOGL-FM in 1989, hosting the highly rated "Top 20 Countdown" on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in addition to his weekday afternoon shift. In the mid 80's, rival radio DJ, Jerry Blavat, went to mob boss, Nicky Scarfo to put a hit out on Lit!

In the mid-1990s, it was revealed that Lit was suffering from the beginnings of Parkinson's disease. Just after the death of Hy's wife Maggie (Russo) Lit in 2000, WOGL and Infinity/CBS Broadcasting management significantly reduced Lit's radio hours, along with a significant decrease in salary. In 2002, a lawsuit was filed with the aid of law firm Spector, Gaddon and Rosen against the media conglomerate, CBS Broadcasting, which for a second and concurrent time decided to reduce Lit's radio time and salary and this time cancel his health insurance.

In December 2005, Lit, station WOGL, and CBS Broadcasting settled the three-year health and age-discrimination lawsuit, under the condition that Hy Lit would (reluctantly) retire from the station. Lit did his last Hy Lit Hall of Fame Show radio show on December 11, 2005. However, WOGL management would not permit Lit to reveal he would be leaving the airwaves and abandoning thousands of listeners left to wonder what happened to the legendary broadcaster.

The Monkees are guests on the Hy Lit Show on WKBS-TV in Philadelphia

Lit’s awards included: City of Philadelphia Award, January 17, 1982, inducted into the Philadelphia Avenue of the Arts Walk of Fame, April 2, 1993. Very first recipient of the March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement of Radio Award in 1994. Achievement in Radio's “Best Weekend Show” November 13, 1997. Radio & Records Magazine named Lit the Oldies Personality of the Year for 1999, and was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame in 2003.

Hy Lit died on November 17, 2007. He was survived by his son, Sam, a daughter, Benna, three grandchildren, and a sister. Lit was divorced from the former Miriam Uniman in the 1970s. His second wife, Maggie, died in 2000.

WHERE DID HY WORK? Here is the list: WHAT, WRCV, WIBG, WDAS-FM, WPGR, WSNI and WOGL.

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