Died On This Date (May 16, 2013) Paul Drew / Top 40 Radio Pioneer
themusicsover Paul Drew
DOB Unknown – May 16, 2013
Paul Drew was a radio disc jockey and programmer who is often cited for helping create what we now know as the Top 40 radio format. Drew was just out of college when he launched his radio career in 1961. Starting as a DJ at WAKE in Atlanta, Drew soon graduated to programming. Drew worked at such stations as Windsor, Onatario’s CKLW, Philadelphia’s WIBG, San Francisco’s KFRC, and ultimately, KHJ in Los Angeles, arguably the most popular Top 40 station in the country at the time. During the ’70s, Drew was VP of Programming for RKO who owned several key stations around the U.S. He also consulted the likes of Guy Zapoleon, Rick Dees and Jay Thomas. Paul Drew was 78 when he passed away on May 16, 2013.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus of Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.