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WFIL's George Michael Passes Away

R

rtetro

Former WFIL and WABC personality George Michael has passed away. The message below appeared this morning on the NY Radio Board, copied from a baseball card/photo collector's board. Michael was an avid collector, among many other interests.

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"George Michael passed away last night at 230 a.m. after a 2 year battle with cancer. While most of the world knows George from The George Michael Sports Machine that ran for 27 years, many board members knew George as a dedicated collector of vintage baseball photos. George collected pre 1960 photos of ballplayers in sliding, game action. George was full of life and was collecting right up to the last minute. I spoke at length with him Sunday. He was enthusiastic about so many pre 1920 sliding photos we purchased from the Sun Times.

From a selfish standpoint, I will miss George for his kindness, business guidance, wisdom, and friendship. George was a consultant on my recent purchases of The Chicago Sun Times photo archives as well as many other large deals over the last 10 years. George...I already miss you. The only thing he loved more than his sliding photos was his wife Pat. Please keep her in your prayers. Pat called this morning and says a memorial service will be after Jan. 1st. I'll post when the date is set.

John Rogers "
 
I am very very sad, having known George for years throughout the late 60s and 70s. I still have a two page letter and a handwritten one in my scrapbook from George's last night on WFIL before he went to WABC. Further, I have, still, a cassette and a note from George's first game with Chuck Thompson and the Baltimore Orioles "...under beautiful azure blue skies over Memorial Stadium. I'm George Michael." He turned down full time work with the Orioles, but even part time, at the side of the legendary Thompson, complete with Hamm's Beer spots, George found a niche. He was tremendous.

As a jock, he was "King" of nighttime radio on Famous 56, of course. Listening to him in Wilmington, or driving back from "the Shore" on a summer night, hearing his excitement when a snowstorm was moving up the coast, or a stormy, rainy night was soaking the Delaware Valley, his show was always perfectly programmed on what clearly sounded like a one-to-one basis when you listened to "King George." Everything fit and worked, sometimes hilariously. I remember his talking up to "Shaft" just to see if he could do it -- not just the post -- but to the vocal -- and he did. Only once. But it was sure entertaining to hear.

I remember, well, how he was incessantly teased about saying certain things, like product mentions, in a funny way -- "Orange Crush" comes to immediate mind. It always came out "Orrrrrrrrrrrrnnnnnge." Dan Donovan and Tommy Tyler teased frequently about George "saying orange funny ..."

The thing that really grabs me is not just his stint at 'FIL, or WABC, or play-by-play hockey even --his multi-award winning "George Michael Sports Machine" and that campy large button that he'd push to bring in "the satellite and new tape technology" -- as well as his other winning sports shows in D.C. -- which pioneered "SportsCenter" and so much more, including as fill-in for Howard Cosell on "Speaking of Sports" -- it was his ethic.

In an industry that is in deep trouble today, with cutbacks, layoffs and horrific timing in doing so -- it was George Michael who, rather than take a "dream" contract from NBC to continue the "Sports Machine" franchise just two or three years ago after nearly 26 years at WRC -- with the caveat that he would have to unload most of his staff to do so -- George "took the first bullet; it was the only right thing to do. It's as simple as that." and walked away. He wouldn't sacrifice those he worked with for his personal gain. That's guts.

He then fought back after a serious horse accident while on his Maryland farm. Tony Kornheiser and so man others owe George a debt of gratitude and broadcasters the nation over will, I hope and trust, consider "the man within" who taught us what being a "personality" was all about, how "communication" really is the basis of what Radio is all about and how being involved in the community as he was, will pay back in spades with dedication, ability, creative talent and hard work.

George relished being music director at WFIL, but you'd never know it by listening. He just seemed so naturally enthused and excited as a "listener" to new releases from the epitome of great music in the mid-to-late sixties and behind, not as hype, but because he really enjoyed the tunes -- and those promoting and representing them. He was, after all, a record promoter himself.

Just imagine the meeting at the Pearly Gates this morning -- Dr. Don Rose, Jim O'Brian, Jay Cook, Jim Nettleton -- all together, pulling up in a candy red Famous 56 Prize Patrol "Boss Mustang." Get in, George. Hyski and Niagra need some help in another part of Heaven. What a sound must be heard there now.

R.I.P., George -- and prayers and condolences to his wife Pat and daughter Michelle.

JB
 
George was "THE" consummate entertainer. He knew everything, about anything. I can not remember a bad show on WFIL or WABC.

I met George, one Saturday afternoon, as he discussed the business of radio to a bunch of prospective DJ's and newscasters at Long John Wade's American Academy of Broadcasting in downtown Philly. He told it like it was, and what to expect. It was inspiring, and from that I went on to work in radio for the next 9 years, full time, and still dabble to this day, part time.

He made radio sound like the glory job it actually was back then. What a fun trip.

It's so weird to have my career icons passing away with such frequency these days. This leaves only a couple of "True", original, WFIL boss jocks left. Dave "the rave" Parks and Frank Kingston Smith.

Rest in peace, George. You will be missed.

Bob
 
I used to listen to him when I was listening to WFIL, then when I saw "The Sports Machine" on TV, I was so surprised that it was the same George Michael. But then I realized this "Boss Jock" used to talk about Philly high school sports on his radio show. Wow, what a talent, we lost a good person. By the way it was partly because of him and his on air personality that I got into the business. Condolences to his family.
 
Well, how ironic that this story is broken by a baseball photography site. The baseball picture shows an array of great talent as nominees since Joe DiMaggio died, to the title of "Greatest Living Ballplayer." Mays, Aaron, Musial, and the likes, its a relatively crowded picture. With King George passing in the same year as Jim Nettleton, the radio picture captioned best living Philly jock, previously vacated by Hyski and Joe is now a picture of one. In a way, I would think Jerry Blavat's perspective on the old days is getting lonlier. Very sad day.
 
George Michael was the sound of the start of hot summer weekends. He put you in the mood as you left for the shore. Speaking of the Jersey Shore, I met George Michael in Wildwood New Jersey. I had just returned from Vietnam where I spent time on AFVN (American Forces Vietnam Network) see www.afvn.org . I just bought a new vehicle and my first trip was to Wildwood NJ. WFIL had a promo. "Bull Sitting Contest. They had George Michael hauled around in some type of trailer sitting on a Bull. Does anyone remember this? I am guessing this was 1972 or 1973. RIP George!
 
The Intelligencer (covering Montgomery & Bucks Counties) ran the AP obituary for George Michael today but did not include any of his radio career - including his years at WFIL, although the headline said "Radio DJ, Sportscaster". Seems odd they'd edit out the part that was the most local angle, even if the editor wasn't around in that era.
 
The link to the article is so true about George Michael. I saw first hand how he gave all on a class visit to WFIL. If something went wrong whatever was it his hand at the time, a pencil or a cart it went flying. He was a true professional with a big heart.
 
George Michael was one of the most enthusiastic broadcasters ever. I remember as a student in high school he once came out to Upper Darby just to watch our basketball team play in a Saturday tournament and talked about the game on the air the next week. I met him then and he was very charismatic, not a bit of attitude. He was extrememly friendly and warm. He'll be missed. RIP, Geroge.
 
Hmmm, Paul Simon, maybe? ;D

Anyway, a follow-up: There will be a memorial service for George on Thursday, January 21, at Washington National Cathedral in D.C. This according to DCRTV.com.
 
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