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Jim Nettleton passes.

Q

qtpieislit

Long time Philadelphia radio legend Jim Nettleton sadly has passed after a rather recent, yet serious illness. I send my deepest and warmest wishes to his family at this delicate time. I have had the privilege of knowing Jim for decades, going back to my teenage years when he and I would have lunch at Bala Plaza, when I was at WIFI 92 and he was at WUSL. Jim was a rare Broadcast talent that we will all dearly miss.
 
It was someting that I was hoping that was not going to be posted. It surprises me that this happened so quick and so sudden. Last thing I heard was he was recently hired to do doing mornings at some New Jersey station. And he was still under social security age ( I think). What's even more sad, there's not many FIL' boss jocks left. 2 originals , Dave Parks, and George Michael. It's really getting to be the end of a great era. He's was really good.
 
My Santa Clause died today.

Yes.

Santa himself.

As a little boy, I would listen, and when filled with boldness, actually call Santa Clause on 1370 WPAZ in the early twilight. Sponsored by Town Toy, I was given the opportunity to actually speak with the big man himself, and ask for my 'Red Rider".

Santa was Jim Nettleton.

To mw, Jim was never a 'boss jock'. He was certainly never a Wibbage 'good guy'. Jim was, and always will be my personal Santa Clause.

My heart is broken.
 
I am truly sorry to hear this news. As I mentioned on the earlier thread about his illness, I was privileged to listen to Jim on WOGL growing up. I still have the tape of his final show on WPEN, which was truly heart-breaking to listen to at the time and still is. That particular moment showed was a class act he was. Our city has suffered a real loss. Does anyone know what illness he had?
 
From the entire staff of WIBBAGE FM, we are saddened at the passing of our friend and colleague
Jim Nettleton. Always the consummate professional, Jim Nettleton continues to be a legend in radio
history, not only because of his outstanding professionalism, and one of the best voice presence in
the industry, but also his humble and down-to-earth personality. Yes, Jim Nettleton is a giant in our industry,
and we say "is", because while he is no longer present with us, his spirit, charity and dedication to
people is what set Jim apart. As Broadcast Licensee, Jim's ability to work with a radio station that
has been totally rebuilt, is a true testimony to his greatness.

In every way, Jim Nettleton was perhaps the best and easiest personality I've had the pleasure
of working with. Always kind and gentle, always willing to roll with the idiosyncrasies of this crazy
business, yet always a kind word for everyone. Diamond Jim was a giant in so many ways, winning
fans and listeners despite the cruel realities of the last 35 year years of corporate destruction of our
once great industry. Jim and I had a special relationship.. a friendship and a bond to make the WIBBAGE
branding all that it could be. Jim Nettleton, my friend, you live with us always at WIBG AM & FM.
God Bless You.

Rick Brancadora
CEO/President
WIBBAGE FM & WIBG1020
 
One of my childhood idols left me today to join other Philly greats--Hy Lit, Ken Garland, Dick Clayton, Jay Cook, Don Rose, Long John Wade, Big Ron, Jim O'Brien, Joe Niagara, Ed Richards,among many in the big radio station in the sky...I had the pleasure of meeting and sitting in the studio when Jim worked as pd and afternoon dj on the original WCAU-FM...his voice will be greatly missed by all.
 
Jim was the definition of professional broadcaster. A great jock, a great reader of commercials. I always enjoyed his work. He will be missed.
 
His voice would rattle my woofers. His timing was impeccable. I followed him from WFIL to WABC to WCAU and so on and so on. I'm no where near religious, but may God bless him and his family in this sad time. Radio has lost another legendary talent.

There's actually three Boss Jocks left from Famous 56, if you count the six month stint of Frank Smith (Frank Kingston Smith) doing the overnights in 66.

I'll bet there's one hell of great radio station in the sky now.

Bob Heiney
 
My condolences to family, friends, and all that share fond memories of Jim Nettleton's career. Like many of you, I also have those great memories of Diamond Jim from the Boss Jock days of Philly radio. As a current member of the new Wibbage FM, 94.3, I always took great pride in letting all know that I was a part of the new Wibbage that featured the likes of Jim Nettleton. Having Jim Nettleton as a part of your station in any capacity had special meaning for me because of Jim's status and contributions to radio.

I like what our station owner, Rick Brancadora, has said.....Jim Nettleton will always be a part of Wibbage and surely for those that remember Diamond Jim, he will always be a part of our lives.

Dave the Rave
WIBG-FM
Air Personality
 
Super Jock said:
One of my childhood idols left me today to join other Philly greats--Hy Lit, Ken Garland, Dick Clayton, Jay Cook, Don Rose, Long John Wade, Big Ron, Jim O'Brien, Joe Niagara, Ed Richards,among many in the big radio station in the sky...I had the pleasure of meeting and sitting in the studio when Jim worked as pd and afternoon dj on the original WCAU-FM...his voice will be greatly missed by all.
Click to expand...

Jim and all these greats were the reason I got into this biz too many years ago and am still plugging away. I do so miss them all. I remember when radio was... Bless you Jim for all the memories.
 
I am deeply saddened to hear of Jim's passing. He was my boss at WDAE in Tampa. ALong with programming the 23 station PRIMETIME, He made me music director and Asst PD. The things he taught me I will never forget. What a boss. I will always remember him.


And talk about posts...this man could go right up to the vocal and never miss a beat...What are called DJ's today should take a listen to how radio should be done...it'f for the listener..not your ego.

Miss ya Jim...RIP
 
What today's broadcasters have nissed!! Jim Nettleton and the Boss Jocks at WFIL are examples of how radio was done..THE RIGHT WAY!!
This is truly a sad day in Philly radio. RIP Jim and condolences to his family. You will be missed.
 
amfmsw said:
As a little boy, I would listen, and when filled with boldness, actually call Santa Clause on 1370 WPAZ in the early twilight. Sponsored by Town Toy, I was given the opportunity to actually speak with the big man himself, and ask for my 'Red Rider".

Santa was Jim Nettleton.
Click to expand...

I too remember Jim Nettleton before he worked in Phili. He was on WATR in Waterbury, CT in the early 60s before going to WDRC in Hartford.

Jim's appearance on a WDRC reunion in 1995 is at
http://www.bill1820.com/radio/Jim-Nettleton-WDRC-35th-1995.mp3
 
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