Radio HOF Announces 2021 Inductees, Legends
• The Museum of Broadcast Communications announced the selection of eight new inductees as well as a new class of Legacy inductees, into the Radio Hall Of Fame for 2021:
• Brother Wease, WAIO (Radio 95.1)/Rochester, NY — Longstanding Network/Syndication (20 years or more)
• Elliot Segal, WWDC (DC101)/Washington, DC — Active Local/Regional (10 years or more)
• Dan Patrick, The Dan Patrick Show — Longstanding Networks/Syndication (20 years or more)
• Kim Komando, The Kim Komando Show — Active Network/Syndication (10 Years or more)
• Javier Romero, WAMR (Amor 107.5)/Miami — Music Format On-Air Personality
• Preston & Steve, 93.3 WMMR/Philadelphia — Spoken Word On-Air Personality
• Erica Farber, President & CEO, Radio Advertising Bureau
• Bill Siemering, Founding Director of Programming, & Founding Member of the Board of Directors, NPR
These inductees will be honored at the in-person 2021 Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, October 28, at Chicago’s Wintrust Grand Banking Hall. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, September 1st at: www.radiohalloffame.com. A portion of ticket purchases is a tax-deductible charitable donation to the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
In addition, to honor the 100th year of radio, the Radio Hall of Fame has established a “Legends” induction, recognizing the talents and efforts of air personalities, programmers and operators who although they have died, spent their lives contributing their talents to the industry. While the industry celebrates 100 years of existence, the industry’s Hall of Fame is only 33 years into existence. The centennial milestone provides an opportunity to recognize the talents and efforts of 33 individuals in 2021, as well.
The following 33 radio legends take their place in the Radio Hall of Fame immediately, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of radio:
Aku, a.k.a. Hal Lewis, air personality in 1960-’80s on KGU and KGMB/Honolulu; Raul Alarcon Sr., radio executive and founder of Spanish Broadcast System (SBS); Jackson Armstrong, air personality in Cleveland in 1960-’80s on WIXY, WKYC, WKBW and other stations; Dr. Joy Browne, syndicated talk radio air personality based at WOR-AM/New York; Frankie Crocker, air personality in Buffalo and New York City, 1950s-’80s on WUFO, WWRL, WMCA and WBLS; Don Cornelius, air personality, WVON-AM/Chicago;Tom Donahue, air personality in San Francisco in 1960s-’80s on KYA, KMPX, KSAN; Bill Drake, programmer and founder, Drake-Chenault Enterprises; Arlene Francis, air personality in New York City, 1930s-’60s, first female host of NBC’s Monitor; Barry Gray, talk radio personality, 1940s-80s on WOR and WMCA/New York; Toni Grant, talk radio personality in Los Angeles, 1970s-’80s on KABC and others via syndication; Petey Greene, air personality, 1960s-’80s on WOL-AM/Washington; Maurice “Hot Rod” Hulbert, air personality in Baltimore and Memphis, 1950s-’70s; Jocko Henderson, air personality in Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore, 1950s-’70s; E. Rodney Jones, air personality the 1960’s on WVON-AM/Chicago; Chuck Leonard, air personality in New York City in 1960s-’70s on WWRL, WABC, WXLO, WRKS, WBLS and others; Melvin Lindsey, the originator of the “Quiet Storm,” late-night format and Washington D.C air personality the 1970s-’80s. Pictured, (l-r): Frankie Crocker, Bill Drake and Melvin Lindsey.
Ron Lundy, air personality, 1960s-’80s on WABC and WCBS-FM/New York; Mary Margaret McBride, nationally syndicated talk personality based in New York City, 1930-1970’s; Ruth Ann Meyer, programmer of New York City radio stations in 1950s-’60s; Murray “The K” Kaufman, air personality in New York City, 1950s-’80s on WINS and WOR-FM; Manuel “Paco” Navarro, air personality, 1970s-’80s on WKTU-FM; Pat O’Day, air personality, station owner and concert promoter in Seattle, 1960s-’80s; Eddie O’Jay, air personality and pioneer of R&B radio in Milwaukee and Cleveland, 1960s-’80s; Stu Olds, radio executive and CEO, Katz Media 1970-2010; Alison Steele, air personality in New York City, 1960s-’80s on WNEW-AM & FM; “The Real” Don Steele, air personality, 1950s-’80s in Los Angeles on various stations, including 93KHJ; Martha Jean “The Queen” Steinberg, air personality in Memphis and Detroit, 1950-’80s; Todd Storz, radio executive and owner of Storz Broadcasting Company; Jay Thomas, air personality in New York and Los Angeles, 1970s-’90s; Rufus Thomas, Memphis air personality, 1950s-’80s; McHenry “Mac” Tichenor, radio executive, broadcast station owner of Tichenor Media (Heftel); Nat D. Williams, air personality, 1940s-’70s on WDIA-AM/Memphis. Pictured, (l-r): Allison Steele, Jay Thomas, “The Real” Don Steele.
Dennis Green, Radio Hall of Fame’s Nominating Committee chair, remarked,”We are excited to not only announce a fantastic group of inductees for the Class of 2021, but on the 100th anniversary of radio, we honor legends of our industry for their contributions. The best part is having an in-person induction to honor this year’s inductees as well as members of the 2020 Radio Hall of Fame class. It’s an honor to recognize the new class of inductees, as well as legends of our industry this year.”
David Plier, Chairman of the Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC), noted, “I’m proud to see the list of ‘Legends’ in this inaugural year and the Class of 2021 Radio Hall of Fame inductees, chosen by this year’s Nominating Committee. The combined list is the most diverse group of nominees in the hall of fame’s history, which is reflective of the audiences that are and have been listening to radio stations across America all these years.”
The Mix Group is the presenting sponsor of the Radio Hall of Fame 2021 induction ceremony. Fans and industry pros can find more information, including photos of the inductees, at radiohalloffame.com.
