Philadelphia has been the home of many broadcasting pioneers and legends,
some who always remained local, and some who found fame nationally.
On this page I will try to honor as many as possible based on their contributions to
Philly broadcasting, their fame and popularity, or just sheer longevity in the business.
(For example: Edie Huggins may not be as "famous" as Dick Clark or Ed McMahon, but she has spent over 35
years on the air here. Also, consider Jessica Savitch, who's career in Philly, although brief while she was on the
fast track to network anchorship, was extremely popular, and was deeply mourned after her tragic death. Some others,
such as Christopher Graham or Powers Gouraud, may be before "our time," but their memories and Philly fame deserve
to live on. There are some famous Philadelphians who I left out (such as Bill Cosby, Kevin Bacon, and Jack Klugman,
to name a few), only because they really did not achieve their fame in local broadcasting.
Note: dates listed are for years in Philly broadcasting only. For example, Talk Radio pioneer Jerry Williams spent
a brief period with WIBG in the 50's and four years at WWDB in the 70's and 80's, although his legendary
career began in Tennessee in 1946. Likewise, Carol Erickson and Al Meltzer were broadcasters in Philadelphia
for years, went elsewhere for a few years, then came back. In some cases I do not have all the exact years.
John Facenda, WHAT ,WIP, WCAU, NFL Films, 1932-84
Jim O'Brien, WFIL/WPVI, 1970-1983
Larry Kane, WPVI/WCAU/KYW, 1966-2003
"The Geator", Jerry Blavat
Jocko Henderson, WHAT, WDAS
Jim Gardner,WPVI, since 1976
Harry Kalas, Phillies and NFL Films, since 1971
Ed McMahon, WCAU-TV, 1949-57
A
Ed Abrams, KYW-AM, 1979-
Elliot Abrams, (co-founder, Accu-weather radio service),
KYW-AM, 1967-
Al & Stella Alberts, WFIL/WPVI-TV, 1966-2001
Art Andrews, WNAR, WCHE, WIKI, WIBF, WIOQ, WCAU-FM, WPEN, 1963-
Walter Annenberg, WFIL Stations, (Publisher, Inquirer and TV Guide)
"Giant" Gene Arnold, WIFI, WEEZ, WCAM, WCAU-AM, WIBG, WZZD, WTAF, WPHL, 1956-
(see Giant Gene featured on the Philly Bits & Bio's page)
Doug Arthur, WIBG, WCAU-FM, 1939-1962
B
Gunnar Back, WFIL-TV, 1956-1971
Bill Baldini, WCAU-TV, 1964-
Cherie Bank, WCAU-TV, 1979-
Paul Barsky, WCAU-FM, WXXM, WPLY, WMMR, WMWX.1982(?)-
Glenn Barton, WFIL-AM, WPEN, Metro Networks, 1968-
Norman "Red" Benson, WCAU-AM, WPEN
Louise Williams Bishop, WHAT, WDAS-FM, 1958-
Jerry Blavat, "The Geator" 1962-
Mike Bowe, WMGK, WPEN, 1975-
Pete Boyle, WPTZ, WVUE (ch.12,), WFIL-TV, 1950-1963
Bob Bradley, WCAU-TV, WRCV/KYW-TV, WPHL-TV, 1948-1987
Bill Bransome, WCAU-AM, WRCV/KYW-AM, 1952-1989
John Brown, KYW-AM, 1969-
Stan Lee Broza (The Children's Hour), WCAU-TV,WRCV-TV, 1928-1960's
Tony Bruno, WIFI, WFIL, WIP, WPEN (launched WIP Sports-talk, 1986; ESPN radio, 1992; Fox Sports Radio, 2000), 1970-
C
Bill Campbell, WCAU-AM/TV, KYW-AM 1940-2001
Don Cannon, WFIL-AM, WIBG, WIP, WIFI, WSNI-AM/FM, WOGL AM/FM, 1969- 2004
John Carlton, Atlantic Go Patrol, WPEN, 1953-
Rod Carson, (Shadow Traffic) WIBG, WMMR, WDAS, Metro Networks 1955-
Bob Charger, WIBG, WFIL, WIP, WOGL, 1967-
Jill Chernekoff, WTAF/WTXF, 1980-2001
Pat Ciarrochi, KYW-TV, 1982-
Dick Clark, WFIL-AM/TV, 1955-64
Herb Clarke, WCAU-TV, KYW-AM, 1958-
Dick Covington "Voice of KYW" WCAU-AM, WRCV/KYW-AM, 1960-2004
Bob Craig, WMGK, WPEN, 1979-
Gene Crane, WCAU-AM, WCAU-TV, 1946-
D
Skipper Dawes, Magic Lady Supper Club, WFIL-AM/TV
Dr. Francis Davis, WFIL-TV, 1946-1971
John DeBella, WMMR, WYSP, WCAU-AM, WMGK 1982-
Pat Delsi, WCAU-AM, KYW-AM, WFIL-AM, WSSJ-AM, WWDB, WRCV-TV, WPHL, WTXF, WPVI, 1953-
Herb Denenberg, WCAU-TV, 1975-1998
Harry Donahue, KYW-AM, 1974-
Tom Donahue, WIBG, 1951-1961
Cyndy Drue, WYSP, KYW-TV late 1970's (?)-
David Dye, WMMR, WIOQ, WXPN, 1970-
(Herbert) Lee Dexter ("Bertie the Bunyip"), WPEN-AM,
WPTZ/WRCV/KYW-TV, WPHL, 1953-1966
E
Joe Earley ("Mr. Rivets"), WPTZ/WRCV-TV, 1951-1956
Carol Erickson, KYW-TV, 1978-1984, 1991-
Howard Eskin, WFIL-AM, WTAF/WTXF, KYW-TV, WPHL, WIP-AM, 1974-
F
Pat Farnack, WMGK, WSNI, WKBS-TV, KYW-AM, WWDB, 1980-2001
Larry Ferrari, WFIL/WPVI-TV, 1954-1997
Eddie Fisher, Magic Lady Supper Club, WFIL-AM/TV
Frank Ford, WHAT, WPEN, WWDB, 1937-2000
Joey Foreman, Magic Lady Supper Club, WFIL-AM/TV
Steve Fredericks, WCAU-AM, WPHL, WIP, 1978-
Steve Friedman, "Mr. Movie," WCAU-AM/TV, WWDB, WPHT, 1981-
G
Cathy Gandolfo, WPVI-TV, WFIL-AM, WCAU-AM, WIFI, 1971-
Andre Gardner, WPST, WZZD, WIFI, WSNI, WZGO, WYSP, WMGK, 1977-
Ken Garland, WIP-AM, WPEN, 1965-92
Gary Geers, WPTZ/WRCV/KYW-TV,1953-1994
Nancy Glass, KYW-TV, WYXR-FM, 1983-99 (Inside Edition, American Journal, etc.)
Powers Gouraud ("The Old Night Owl"), WCAU-AM, 1929-1950's
Joe Grady, WIP, WHAT, WPEN-AM, 1940-1988
Christopher Graham (Original "Uncle WIP"), 1925-1929
Bob Grant, "inventor of controversial talk radio," WWDB (early 80's)
Harry Gross (financial expert) WPEN, WCAU-AM, WPHT, WWDB
H
Tony Hanson, KYW-AM, 1980(?)-
Gene Hart, Flyers Broadcaster, 1967-1999
John Harvey, WIOQ, WMGK, 1973-1995
Trudy Haynes, KYW-TV, WPHL-TV, 1965-
Douglas "Jocko" Henderson, WHAT, WDAS-FM, 1950-1989
Doug Henderson, WDAS-FM, WJJZ-FM, WPHL (Dancin' on Air), BET television, 1977-
David Henry, WPVI, WRTI, WCVR, WYSP (early 80's)-
Bernie Herman, WCAU-AM, WKBS-TV, WWDB, 1960's-2000
Vince Hill, KYW-AM, 1979-
Harvey Holiday, WDAS, WFIL, WOGL, 1972-
Irv Homer, WCAU-AM, WWDB, WPHT, WBCB (Levittown) 1975-
Marc Howard, WPVI, KYW-TV, 1977-
Edie Huggins, WCAU-TV, 1966-
Ed Hurst (The Steel Pier Show), WPEN-AM, WPTZ/WRCV/KYW-TV, WPHL, WCAU-TV, WPVI, 1943-
J
Frank & Mary Jelinek, "Dining Around," WCAU-AM, WIP, WWDB, WPEN
Jack Jones, WCAU-TV, KYW-TV, 1971-77/ 1984-91
Ron Joseph, WCAU-TV, WFIL-TV (Am. Bandstand), WFIL-AM, WEEZ-AM, WIBF Ch. 17, WPWT-FM, WTGI Ch. 61
K
Glenn Kalina, WIFI,WCAU-FM WSNI, WIOQ, WLCE, WMWX,1978-
Frank Kastner, WFLN, WPEN 1947-2002
Ed Kasuba, KYW-AM, 1979-
Randy Kots, WYSP, WMMR
Ernie Kovacs, WPTZ-TV (Pick Your Ideal, Deadline for Dinner, Three to Get Ready, It's Time for Ernie, Ernie in Kovacsland, Kovacs on the Corner)
L
Tom Lamaine, WIP, KYW-TV, WOGL-FM, 1969-
Don Lancer, KYW-AM, 1966-
Lisa Thomas-Laury, WPVI, 1978-
Vince Lee, WFIL-AM, KYW-AM, 50's-60's
Helen Leicht, WIOQ, WMMR, WXPN, 1973-
Vince Leonard, WPTV/WRCV/KYW, 1958-1980
Steve Levy, KYW-TV, WPVI, WCAU, 1974-
John Linton, WZZD, since 1980
Hy Lit, WIBG, WRCV(KYW)-AM, WDAS-FM, WSNI, WPGR,
WOGL, 1958-
Jay Lloyd, KYW-AM, 1972-
M
Robin Mackintosh, KYW-AM/KYW-TV, 1967-
Tom Maloney, WWDB,WHAT, WPEN-AM,KYW-AM, 1965-
Kent Manahan, WNJT-TV, 1976-
Sid Mark, Sounds of Sinatra, WHAT, WWDB-FM, WPHT, 1957-
Mary Mason, WHAT, since 1957
Tommy McCarthy, WFIL, WPGR, WOGL, 1968-
Joe McCauley, "Morning Mayor," WHAT, WIP-AM/FM, 1939-1968
Ed McMahon,("Big Tom the Clown"), WCAU-TV
Al Meltzer, KYW-TV, WCAU-TV, 1972-77/1978-98
W. Carter Merbrier, "Captain Noah", WFIL/WPVI, 1967-1994
Mike Missanelli, (Inquirer), WIP, WPHL, WMMR 1982-
Wynn Moore, WWDB, 1975-1998
Tom Moran, WIP, WKSZ, WPEN, 1947- 2002
T. Morgan, WDAS, WZZD, WMGK, 1967-
Andy Musser, (Phillies/Sixers announcer)1976-2001
N
Roy Neal, WIBG, WPTZ-TV, 1940-1952
Bob Nelson, KYW-AM, 1967-
"Diamond" Jim Nettleton, WFIL-AM, WCAU-AM/FM, WUSL,
WSNI, WOGL-AM/FM, WPEN 1966-
Joe Niagara, WIBG-AM, WFIL-AM, WPEN-AM, WCAU AM/FM,
WDAS-FM, WIFI, 1947-2002
O
"Big Ron" O'Brien, WFIL-AM, WOGL-FM, 1973-
Vernon Odom, WPVI-TV, 1976-
P
Marge Pala, KYW-TV, 1978-
Scott Palmer, WPVI-TV, 1981-
Harold Pannepacker, WPTV/WRCV/KYW-TV, 1946-1992
Bob Pantano, ("Saturday Night Dance Party"), 1971-
Gary Papa, WPVI-TV, 1981-
Jerry Penacoli, KYW-TV, 1982-91 (Extra, Hard Copy, etc.)
Storm Phillips,(Meteorologist) 1964-
Malcolm Poindexter, (Phila. Tribune, Bulletin, Ebony)
KYW-AM/TV, 1947-
Don Polec, WPVI, 1982-
Maury Povich, KYW-TV, 1980-1983
Joe Pyne
Q
Dom Quinn, WCAU-AM, WWDB, mid-60's-1996
R
John Rawlins, WPVI, 1981-
Merril Reese (Eagles announcer), 1978-
Orien Reid, KYW-TV, WCAU-TV, 1972-98
Leigh Richards, ("Sarah Louise") WRCP-AM/FM, WPST, WFIL-AM, WSNI-FM, WXTU, 1974-
Pierre Robert, WMMR-FM, 1981-
Dave Roberts, WPVI, 1978-
Professor John Roberts, WFIL-TV, 1952-71
"Dr." Don Rose, WFIL-AM, WKBS-TV, 1967-73
Bob Roth, WPEN-AM, 1963-2000
Terry Ruggles, WCAU-TV, 1974-
S
Byrum Saam, Phillies ('39-'49, '55-75) and Athletics
('38-'54) Broadcaster, 1937-75
Jessica Savitch, KYW-TV, 1972-1975
Mike St. John, WPEN/WMGK-FM, WSNI, WIOQ, WOGL-FM,
WPGR, 1975-
Ed Sciaky, WDAS, WMMR, WIOQ, WYSP, WMGK, 1968- 2004
Alan Scott, (Let Scott Do It, Scott's Spotlight, Fun House) WCAU-AM,
WCAU-TV, WPTZ-TV, WFIL-TV, 1931-1960's
Sue Serio, WKSZ-FM, WMGK, WHYY-TV, WTXF-TV, 1982-
Gene Shay, WHAT AM/FM, WDAS-FM, WMMR, WIOQ, WHYY-FM, WXPN, 1953-
Dick Sheeran, KYW-TV, 1968-
Gary Shepherd, WDAS-FM
Phil Sheridan (One of the "Uncle WIP's")WIP, WFIL-AM/TV
Marciarose Shestack (Philly's first woman news anchor)
WRCV/KYW-TV, 1963-1975
Harold Simonds, WFI/WFIL-AM, 1922-1963
Tom Snyder, KYW-TV, 1965-1970
Elaine Soncini, WPEN
Joel A. Spivak, WCAU-AM/TV, WWDB, 1970-1987
Christie Springfield, WCAU-FM/WOGL-FM, WPEN 1982-
Dick Standish, KYW-AM/TV, 1968-
Sheela Allen-Stephens, WCAU-TV, 1977-
Mike Strug, WFIL/WPVI-TV, KYW-TV, WCAU-TV, 1966-
T
Joe "Butterball" Tamburro, WDAS, 1964-
Michael Tearson, WMMR, WXPN, WMGK (Daily News), 1969-
George Thomas, WCAU AM/TV, 1937-1985
Gordon Thomas, WIBG, WIP-AM, 1950's-1990's
Don Tollefson, WPVI, WPHL, WTXF,1975-
Dean Tyler, WIBG, WFIL-AM, WPEN/WMGK-FM, WIP, 1960-2001
W
"Long John" Wade, WFIL-AM, WIBG, WIFI, WCAU-AM-FM, 1966-1979 (?)
John Paul Weber, WTEL, WIP, 1936-1995
Bill "Wee Willie" Webber, WIP, WRCV/KYW-AM, WPEN-AM, WFIL-TV,
WRCV-TV,WPHL, WKBS, 1953-
Jerry Wells, WDAS-FM
Beverly Williams, KYW-TV, 1975- 81/1989-
Jerry Williams, 1st FM talk host, WIBG (1950's), WWDB, 1977-81
Louise Williams, WHAT, WDAS, 1958- (introduced Aretha Franklin to Atlantic Records execs in 1967)
(Ulysses) Kae Williams, WHAT, WDAS, WSSJ, WIBG, 1943-87
Georgie Woods, WHAT, WDAS, WPGR, WNWR, 1950's-1990's
Bill Wright, Sr., WIBG, WPEN, 1956-57; 1986-
Y
Terry "Motormouth" Young, WCAU-FM, WIOQ, 1981-
Z
John Zacherle ("Roland," Shock Theatre), WCAU-TV, 1957-1958
Joseph Zawislak ("Dr. Shock"), WPHL, 1969-1979
Quiz: Do you know these famous Philly faces? (see below)
For some real, in-depth Philly TV and radio history, click the Broadcast Pioneers logo and go right to the source!
Who are these famous Philly faces?
It's Bob Bradley, Ed Hurst, Tom Snyder, Malcolm Poindexter, and Gene Crane.
Click the logo to find out which music industry giants came from Philly!
All photos and images are property of their respective owners.
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