In 1962 Ron Joseph went to the 11:15 mass every Sunday with John Facenda. He looked forward to spending an hour each Sunday after church for Mr. Facenda would give RJ a critique of RJ's weekly talk show which RJ did live every week on the new channel 17 team. Owned in those days by the Young peoples church of the air. It was a teenage open mike show hosted by the young RJ. Years later RJ was a big fan of another great radio voice. He was Taylor Grant of WFLN radio. He would have a 15 min. commentary every night sponsored by the Philadelphia Gas Works. One night Taylor Grant decided to Spotlight Philadelphia's Former chief of Police and now mayor of Philadelphia, and he had some unkind words in his commentary about mayor Rizzo. Mayor Rizzo was outraged. He demanded the Philadelphia Gas Works of which mayor Rizzo was the boss. Because it was owned by the city of Philadelphia. He demanded they cancel the sponsorship of the show and pull it off immediately. When This occured Taylor Grant was out of a job instantly. Mayor Rizzo demanded that the Philadelphia Gas Works would pull the sponsorship of his nightly commentary show of which it occured. Taylor Grant was off the air in 24 hours. RJ was a young disc jockey at a radio station in Chester, Pa. He rallied enough young people to go to city hall court yard with megaphones and shouted out Mayor Rizzo this is America and you will never ever silence Taylor Grant. Of course Mayor Rizzo being a dictator and a bulley ignored RJ and the young people outside the court yard. Rizzo always felt bad about it. He finally met RJ during a mummers parade and if you check Broadcast pioneers you see RJ and mayor rizzo embraceing themselves in a picture that still remains on the broadcast pioneers site. RJ, being the program director offered Taylor Grant a 15 minute show on WEEZ. Taylor Grant said Ron I guess it's time for me to retire. I don't want to travel to Chester, Pa. every day. WFLN was only a few minutes from his house in Chestnut Hill. So, RJ promised Taylor Grant, that he would do editorials, maybe not as eliquent as he did, but promised Taylor Grant as long as RJ lived, he would call anything he does Taylor Grants title , Called Something to Say. A fearless commentary on daily activites in the Philadelphia area. Taylor Grant said to RJ God bless you for perpetuating my dream. That's why Saturday afternoon at 3:00 RJ will be proud to try to walk in the steps of Philadelphia's greatest news commentator. I know it's taken a long time, but Taylor Grant's memory will go on forever as long as RJ has something to say.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
RJ, Ron Joseph respected two of the great broadcasters of Philadelphia
- Thread starter towernews
- Start date
F
fred flintstone
Guest
RJ, Ron Joseph - The Forrest Gump of Philly Radio
In 1952, RJ went to Lit Brothers where Chief Halftown was making a personal appearance.In 1957, RJ tries to talk to Dick Clark. WFIL security escort him out the Market Street entrance.In 1959, RJ saw Wally Kinnan, The Weather Man, shopping at Gimbel's.In 1960, RJ goes into a bar for the first time. Bartender Irv Homer asks for ID.In 1962, RJ attended the same church as John Facenda.In 1965, RJ was in a men's room at the next urinal to Wee Willie Webber.In 1969, RJ met Bill Campbell across the street from Connie Mack Stadium. A house was being painted and RJ and Bill watched the paint dry. Bill Campbell later compared that experience to a very dull ball game. Now you know the rest of the story.In 1970, RJ and Tom Snyder were at a party and RJ grabbed the last crab puff before Tom could reach it.In 1971, RJ attended a movie and bumped into Joe Niagara on the way out.In 1975, RJ was in a check-out line behind Mike Douglas at the Acme.In 1978, RJ was stuck at the Lincoln Tunnel crossing for an hour and a half, along with Larry Kane in his WABC-TV limo and 200,000 other people.In 1980, RJ went swimming in a friend's pool which had be cleaned a day earlier by Michael Smerconish.2006, RJ sets a new record for being the subject of the most radio board posts (surpassing previous record holders WAMS, WCOJ, WILM, Irv Homer and Julius May).
In 1952, RJ went to Lit Brothers where Chief Halftown was making a personal appearance.In 1957, RJ tries to talk to Dick Clark. WFIL security escort him out the Market Street entrance.In 1959, RJ saw Wally Kinnan, The Weather Man, shopping at Gimbel's.In 1960, RJ goes into a bar for the first time. Bartender Irv Homer asks for ID.In 1962, RJ attended the same church as John Facenda.In 1965, RJ was in a men's room at the next urinal to Wee Willie Webber.In 1969, RJ met Bill Campbell across the street from Connie Mack Stadium. A house was being painted and RJ and Bill watched the paint dry. Bill Campbell later compared that experience to a very dull ball game. Now you know the rest of the story.In 1970, RJ and Tom Snyder were at a party and RJ grabbed the last crab puff before Tom could reach it.In 1971, RJ attended a movie and bumped into Joe Niagara on the way out.In 1975, RJ was in a check-out line behind Mike Douglas at the Acme.In 1978, RJ was stuck at the Lincoln Tunnel crossing for an hour and a half, along with Larry Kane in his WABC-TV limo and 200,000 other people.In 1980, RJ went swimming in a friend's pool which had be cleaned a day earlier by Michael Smerconish.2006, RJ sets a new record for being the subject of the most radio board posts (surpassing previous record holders WAMS, WCOJ, WILM, Irv Homer and Julius May).
- Status