Died On This Date (April 28, 1975) Tom Donahue / FM Radio Pioneer

Tom “Big Daddy” Donahue
May 21, 1928 – April 28, 1975

Tom Donahue was a ground breaking disc jockey who took a San Francisco foreign language station and transformed it into America’s first “free form” station which would become the model for FM album oriented stations across the country. Donahue started his radio career in South Carolina in 1949, but moved to the Bay Area after the payola scandal where he started a record label for the Beau Brummels who he discovered and managed. e also produced concerts and opened a psychedelic club. In 1972, he became the GM of KSAN and encouraged the on-air talent to dig deep into the albums, play songs from different genres and eras, and inject political commentary. The station became an instant hit with the counter-culture, so Donuhue and his wife, Raechel Donahue successfully brought his idea to Los Angeles stations, KPPC and future legend, KMET. Similar stations spread across the country through the rest of the ‘70s. Donahue suffered a fatal heart attack on April 28, 1975.

Died On This Date (April 27, 2008) Big Ron O’Brien / Legendary FM Disc Jockey

Ron O’Brien
October 24, 1951 – April 27, 2008

Big Ron O’Brien was a popular disc jockey who in recent years could be heard in the afternoons on Philadelphia rock station,  WOGL 98.1.  O’Brien’s love for radio began in high school where he worked at the school’s station, and soon thereafter, he was spinning records at Kansas City’s KUDL.  Over the rest of his career, O’Brien worked at such stations as KISS in Los Angeles, WRKO in Boston, WCAR in Detroit, and WNBC in New York where he worked alongside Howard Stern.  Ron O’Brien died of complications from pneumonia on April 27, 2008.  He was 56.



Died On This Date (March 21, 2009) Ted Jarrett / Music Industry Veteran

Ted Jarrett
DOB Unknown – March 21, 2009

Ted Jarrett was an early R&B producer and songwriter who played a key role in the development of the Nashville rhythm and blues sound.  He was one of just a handful of songwriters who penned #1 hits on both the R&B and country charts.  His most famous songs were “Love Love Love” and “You Can Make it if You Try,” which was recorded by the Rolling Stones for their debut album.   His songs were also recorded by the likes of Earl Gaines, Ruth Brown, and Hank Ballard.  Over a career that spanned 50 years, Jarrett also worked in radio and ran his own label.  He was 83 when he passed away on March 21, 2009.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.



Died On This Date (March 15, 2010) Ron Lundy / Popular New York City FM Disc Jockey

Fred “Ron” Lundy
June 25, 1934 – March 15, 2010

Ron Lundy was a popular disc jockey in New York City for the better part of thirty years.  He hosted the coveted mid-day slot at such powerhouse stations as WABC and WCBS from the mid ’60s through his retirement during the mid ’90s.    Lundy was 75 when he suffered a fatal heart attack on March 15, 2010.



Died On This Date (March 15, 2004) Chuck Niles / Popular Jazz Radio DJ

Chuck Niles (Born Charles Neidel)
June 24, 1927 – March 15, 2004

Chuck Niles was a popular and extremely knowledgeable jazz radio disc jockey who entertained and educated Los Angeles, California music fans for the better part of 50 years.   Known by such nicknames as “Mr. Jazz,” Niles could be heard throughout much of Southern California on influential jazz and blues station KKJZ for the last fourteen years of his life.  After moving to Los Angeles as a young man, Niles dabbled in acting, even landing a bit part in Breakfast At Tiffany’s.  Throughout his long and fruitful years on the air in L.A., he worked at such stations as KHJ, KBCO (later KKGO), and eventually KLON which became KKJZ, one of the most famous jazz and blues stations in the United States.   Over the years, Niles was memorialized in songs like Horace Silvers’ “The Hippest Cat In Hollywood,” Bob Florence’s “Bebop Charlie,” and Louie Bellson’s “Niles Blues.”   He was also awarded a star on Hollywood’s prestigious Walk of Fame – the only jazz disc jockey to ever be bestowed that honor.  Chuck Niles was 76 when passed away on March 15, 2004.  He never regained consciousness from a stroke he suffered a few weeks earlier.

Thanks to Micaela Pierce for the assist.