Hy Lit and DJ's as Artists

[jackfriday]

Yesterday, Radio lost one of our great talents, Hy Lit. Information can be found on the Philadelphia board, but I think in some respects this dovetails into the DJ's as Artists thread a bit. If it doesn't, my apologies and just consider it a tribute piece.
Hy Lit was in my humble opinion an artist DJ. Those of you who may have grown up in the Philly/NYC market will be familiar with his work. He was one of only a few, even back then, who had tremendous influence on my decision to be part of the broadcast business. Hy was a creator...he talked on the radio...he entertained...he was hip. He had ratings shares that were unheard of even in the days when so many fewer signals permeated the ether. In San Francisco, I believe we lost the last of that breed with the passing of Dr. Don. Perhaps it is the ending of an era and better things are still to come? I can hope so.
For me, the fascination of listening to young (at that time) talents such as Hy, Dan Ingram, Joey Reynolds (WKBW) were a treat for a boy in school to be listening to while doing his homework. They were friends (I never actually knew until later) and inspirations, not only professionally but socially as well. They let us know what pop culture was, even though there wasn't such a thing in those days. We found out what it was to be aware of as a teen, especially when searching for social graces and only in possession of a fledgling identity at best. These DJ guys balanced their presentation with good taste as well as humor. They painted a picture for us of a desireable life in not only music but subtly passed us some secret code of how to interact within our own cultural circles. They were pivot men for our lives. They were artists and for the most part they are gone.
I agree with most who say the artistry is dead or dying and that format restrictions and lack of gutsy innovative management styles is a contributing factor to a somewhat boring presentation that we now are left. I'm only glad I have been around long enough to have seen the other side.
Radio 'is' about making money for the company...we all know that, but we need people on the air who give us a sense of belonging, after all isn't that what communications and radio specifically is all about?
Hy Lit gave me a sense of belonging as a teen. I unknowingly carried that with me for a lifetime. I remember when signing on with WOGL in Philadelphia a short time ago...I stood in amazement when I saw my name on one of the mailboxes at the station. My box was next to that one belonging to Hy. What a thrill...even after all those years had passed since I smoothed on the Clearasil and listened to Hy Lit on WIBG.
After 30 very successful years in San Francisco radio...I came back for a moment to remember my Philly roots...as well as sharing some space with an 'Artist' a mentor and a person who became a friend in real life.
Any of us could ask for no more.

Thanks for the Bandwidth,
Jack Friday

 

[oaktree]

As one from the market through Hy's great years ... I must agree with you totally.

Hy was the benchmark for "DJ's as artists" ... both on the air and off.

The mold Hy Lit created is now dipped in gold. There won't be another. And you could understand every word he said to his legions of Delaware Valley fans over 50 years in "Philad - ellll - phia."

Hyski O'Roonie McVoodie O'Zoot ... forever.

You can bet there was a great show with Hy and the Rockin' Bird, Joe Niagra, last night on the ultimate "Solid Gold Radio" as Hy settled in behind that golden mike.

I had the pleasure to speak with Hy within the last two months and can tell you, the guy had the voice and an ear for the music he loved (and he loved a LOT of music,) to the very end.

It'll be some kind of sock hop in Rock and Roll Heaven with Hyski leading the charge.

Thanks for the great post, Jack.

RIP, Hy.

 

[Tom_KYA1260]

Good to see you on the board, Jack.

 

[skyrocker]

Yes, Jack, I think this fits nicely into the Jocks As
Artists dialog. Radio jocks CAN be artists. Not all aspire
to it. Hy Lit was such an all encompassing communicator,
the word "artist" seems like --not enough.

In earlier days, there were wonderful guys on the air all
across the country. I remember wanting to hear them all,
but very thankful for the opportunity to have spent on
both coasts and comparing. The east coast guys were
generally more reserved, the west coasters were more
relaxed in nature -- both equally entertainging.

I remember Hy Lit, Murray The K, Joey Reynolds and so many
more on one side of the States, then, when my father was
transfered to Travis AFB, I heard San Francisco radio with
Casey Kasem, Buck Herring, Don Bowman (sp), and eastern
transfers Tom Mitchell, Russ The Moose and Tommy Saunders
to name only a smattering.

Then, a remarkable thing happened. Format became credible
and for many DJs the garden hose was squeezed tight; adlibs
and comments were confined, to say the least.
The broadcasters who had no motivation to work within
those constrictions felt cut off. The 'artists' came
through and managed to make those formats sparkle.
To hear Don Steele was life changing. Same for Hy Lit.

I mark the passing of Hy along with Dr. Don (best funeral
I've ever attended) and that wonderful era of music
broadcasting where entertainment was the mutual goal and
it was a team effort. Seems like you and I seek out those
sticks that still care about things like that. (That's the
artist in you making you do that.)

Whatever the station, wherever we are, one thing remains a
constant-- it's still Pure Magic when you crack the mic, ain't it?