LONG JOHN WADE DEAD

[kfsr]

Veteran Philadelphia Radio personality Long John Wade is reported to have died on Monday May 15th, according to a report on Famous 56.com. Wade landed in Philly from Hartford's WDRC in late 1966, at WFIL, where he stayed nearly 5 years, before a short run doing PM Drive at WIBG. Between '72 and '74, Long John Wade did mornings on WCAU-FM when the station converted from automation to live, then subsequently did Talk on WCAU-AM, then back to Top 40 at WIFI-FM.John Wade was founder and president of American Academy of Broadcasting in Philadelphia, and served as the "announcer" on Jerry Blavat's TV show on WPVI-TV.

 

[NeroSix]

There aren't many jocks about whom the designation "legend" is appropriate, but, John Wade was one of them. He blazed the path that many of us TRY to follow today. We have lost a pioneer...

 

[WTUX]

I enjoyed LJW particularly during his WCAU-FM days when that was the station I listened to the most.By the way, didn't Jim Nettleton also come here from WDRC. That station was a stop for many jocks who went on to legendary careers. I remember catching WDRC one Saturday, quite by accident, when they were airing a live 4 Seasons concert. What a treat that was!

 

[ixnay]

John Wade ... served as the "announcer" on Jerry Blavat's TV show on WPVI-TV.

Wasn't Ch. 6 still called WFIL-TV at the time? ixnay

 

[realT]

I loved Long John Wade. In a lot of ways he was a cantankerous, crazy sumbitch, but he was always sharp and funny to me. I have never much been one to ask for requests, but I sure remember LJW playing Procol Harum's majestic "Homburg" once for me when he was stuck in the depths of late night. It may have been the last time WFIL played that song. For the record I was a soph at Penn in the dorms when this happened. The whole dorm floor was teamed up to try and win one of 'FIL's Over/Under jackpots. WE did nab a pretty big one, too!Hope John finally found some measure of peace. He was a complex guy.

 

[WTUX]

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/419947p-354571c.htmlThis is an interesting story about Long John and the days when DJ's were DJ's in the truest sense.It is near the bottom of the page. The story matches the experience of the previous poster.

 

[RockIntern]

A real class dude, he was a true rocker, he loved the rock sounds in lieu of soul and pop. I remember hanging out with his brother Don, another class guy, we would always meet somewhere on City Line Ave to munch. My fondest memory of John, was listening to him one night, he was mentioning his fellow jock Dan Donovon, on some morning talk show with another jock Georgie Woods. Georgie was attacking him and complaining that WFIL was racist and did not play many Black artists. John told this story on his shift, then with a calm voice, said, Georgie, would you ever play this on your station, with that the full version of Sukiayki came on...It was fantastic, RIP my good friend, you were unbeatable.

 

[SCRHack]

I find it amazing you can't even eulogize a person without bringing race into.I've never had the pleasure of listening to Mr. Wade anyone have some airchecks?

 

[rich610]

There is a terrfiic unscoped aircheck of LJW on WFIL at reelradio.com. It is from August 1970. You have to be a subscriber to the website to hear it (the subscription costs $12 a year). There are a few LJW's from 1968-69 on famous56.com. I think you will enjoy them.

 

[radiomayor2]

in re: the wfil/wdrc connection...jim nettleton and LJW were at "big D".......i think george michael did as well but it may have been WPOP.........

 

[ixnay]

You have to be a subscriber to the ReelRadio to hear it (the subscription costs $12 a year).

Only since 2/06.Thanks, Rich. So much for me perusing RR ever again (think, among other things, identity theft online).ixnay