Ron Jordan

[8Balla]

There is some debate on whether or not Jordan may have passed away. I am only trying to find out if the WMPS jock did die. Does anybody know?

 

[sidchase]

Does any one know Roy Mack He is Rons Uncle

 

[robgrayson]

Yep. There is a obituary in the Commercial Appeal today (Friday). Most of our posters are too young to remember Jordan in his prime, but he was one of the greats. I've said it before, but I remember when Ron was slated to "wrestle" Jerry Lawler as a promotion when he was doing afternoons at WMPS. Way down in the delta, we had no idea who Jerry Lawler was, but we for sure knew who Ron Jordan was. R-ah Starr-ah will be missed.

 

[history]

Hear Ron Jordan sing Green Disco Shoes! This was recorded when Ron did mornings at WNDE Indianapolis, as a fund raiser for MDA. The mp3 is available for a limited time @ http://www.savefile.com/files/1071755

 

[sjs1959]

I moved to Memphis in 1972 and quickly became a fan. At the risk of heresy, I thought he had as much talent as Dees, and just as quick to take risks on the air. He was one of my all-time favorites here, no disrespect to any of our folks on the board, he was just a special talent, and he will be missed.

 

[MikeBratton]

I moved to Memphis in 1972 and quickly became a fan. At the risk of heresy, I thought he had as much talent as Dees, and just as quick to take risks on the air. He was one of my all-time favorites here, no disrespect to any of our folks on the board, he was just a special talent, and he will be missed.

No heresy there. Dees in the morning, Jordan in the afternoon; if you didn't listen to both every day, you knew you'd missed a lot. Never got to meet the man, but he was a true hero to many of us who entered radio with Ron's inspiration in our minds.

Condolences to his family and friends.

 

[RoyBoy]

Ron Jordan was my favorite disc jockey growing up in the 70's in Memphis. I loved his sarcastic sense of humor and quick wit. He had a awesome voice and could do hilarious character impersonations. I had the chance to work with him briefly in the mid-80's at WHBQ when he hosted the morning show with Gene Barksdale. He still sounded great and it was a thrill to meet my childhood hero. My best memories of Memphis radio are from the period where WMPS featured Rick Dees in the morning, Ron Jordan in the afternoon, and Jon "Rock and Roll Anthony in the evening. The "Bionic Oz" will be missed. Does anyone remember what he used to say to sign off the show everyday?

 

[hwg901]

I knew Ron well back in the 70's. I worked with him when he was at FM-100. I had just got into sales...Dees had just left town.

Next to McKeever, Ron was the most talented and gifted on-air guy I ever worked with. It was too bad that he had all the distractions in his life.

I went to a party for him at Shooters in about 1990. He was coming back to the area and worked for a brief period at some station in the area. That's the last time I saw him.

 

[radiosaur]

It was too bad that he had all the distractions in his life.

I often wonder why so many people who have exceptional creative talent also have so many demons.


Condolences to the family.

 

[RoyBoy]

The one joke I remember Ron Jordan telling - kind of summed up his sense of humor.
He played Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and, as you know, the lyrics end with:

“Nothing really matters, anyone can see, nothing really matters, nothing really matters to me.”

Ron jumped in right on top of the last word and replied:

“OK, how about if I never play your song again?”

I remember cracking up – just the sarcastic way he delivered that line was hilarious.

 

[Danoinark]

This is devasting news to me. I had the pleasure of working with Ron in the afternoons for several years. He and I became excellent friends and of course I knew about the demons also. He and I kept in touch for several years until some period in the 90's when I lost touch and have spent since then trying to locate him. One of the most talented radio people I have ever known and worked. This is really a sad day for me.

Ron signed off the air each day with "If you see D. B. Cooper, tell him RuhJ said hello.

Is there a link to the CA obit?

Dan Sears

 

[PR680]

Yet another great talent from the glory days of radio has left us. I remember listening to RJ all the time in the early to mid 70's.

Dan is right, a very sad day indeed.....

 

[sjs1959]

This is devasting news to me. I had the pleasure of working with Ron in the afternoons for several years. He and I became excellent friends and of course I knew about the demons also. He and I kept in touch for several years until some period in the 90's when I lost touch and have spent since then trying to locate him. One of the most talented radio people I have ever known and worked. This is really a sad day for me.

Ron signed off the air each day with "If you see D. B. Cooper, tell him RuhJ said hello.

Is there a link to the CA obit?

Dan Sears

Here you go...

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2007/sep/21/jordan-was-talented-deejay/

 

[AlbumOldies]

Yep - Dees in the AM and Jordan in the afternoons on WMPS. Wasn't Memphis radio great back in the 70's?

Although I was primarily an FM100 and WHBQ listener in the early 70's, I would often turn over to "The Great 68" WMPS and catch Jordan's show. Dees and Jordan could get thousands to come to downtown events like "The Great River Race" and "The Great Motor Car Race" (anyone remember that one?). I don't suppose that type of thing will ever happen again. Thanks for all the fun, R-uh-J.

 

[payne5259]

Thanks for all the love. Ron was very special. I am trying to gather air checks,records (Ronnie and the DeVilles)etc. for the kids. Gage is Ron and my son. I have recieved so many calls. It has helped more than anyone can know. Myra

 

[Danoinark]

Myra
I sent you a personal message through this forum. I left you an email address.
Thanks
Dan Sears

 

[sidchase]

Ron was one of the reasons I got in radio. Unlike Rick Dees He alwyas put me on the air when I was a kid.
I was always doing bits etc. After that I was hooked and I still am. I am sure he was one big reason I got into this crazy business. Ron was a true talent There arent too many out there like him. He will truly be missed esp by us true fans of radio.

 

[joewhlm]

Ron did the morning show at WNDE, WINDY 1260 in Indy. He was a scream. I was the 10PM to 2AM jock at WINDY at the time. Programmer Dave Parks brought him to Indy and to San Diego. There is no question the guy was a great talent.

Emmis brought him back to Indy from San Diego then trashed him, as only Emmis can do with morning talent. Was Ron difficult? Absolutely. He was talent!!!!! Talent needs management!

Ron Jordan...may he finally Rest In Peace!

Joe Reilly AKA Bobby Hatfield

 

[ddub]

I worked with Ron from 1972 - 76 at WMPS. When he did 3p-7p, I followed him 7p-midnight. I was saddened by the news of his death. He was a super talent and so much fun to work with because of his unpredictable genius. We had a couple of years back in Memphis that I will always remember as the best days I spent in radio. Roy Mack was the PD, Dees in the morning, Bill Murray mid-days, Ron afternoons and I did nights. Dan Sears did news in the afternoon and I know he remembers Ron introducing me as "the ghost of Donny Brooks" many times. It's a long story, but suffice to say we've all had an indentity crisis or two in radio. My sympathies to Ron's family and friends. Our prayers are with them.

Dan Wilson

 

[robgrayson]

Roy Mack was the PD, Dees in the morning, Bill Murray mid-days, Ron afternoons and I did nights. Dan Sears did news in the afternoon and I know he remembers Ron introducing me as "the ghost of Donny Brooks" many times. It's a long story, but suffice to say we've all had an indentity crisis or two in radio. My sympathies to Ron's family and friends. Our prayers are with them.

Dan Wilson

Man, what a lineup! Listening to those guys on 68, and whomever WHBQ could put up against them on 56, made me WANT to be in radio, and want to work in Memphis!