Condolences: Betty Korvan
• Late Friday we received an email from Cleveland radio legend John Gorman, the former longtime PD of the equally legendary WMMS, who shared the sad news of the passing of former longtime WMMS late-night personality Betty Korvan, who died at the age of 67.
“Betty was one of the original members of the WMMS Buzzard family, joining the station in 1974,” Gorman explained. “On her first show on WMMS, when filling in for Kid Leo, she did a last-minute, unprepared interview with Paul Kantner and Marty Balin from Jefferson Starship when they stopped by the station.” That’s Betty, seated between Starship’s Craig Chaquico and Paul Kantner). Gorman (standing, left), added, “It was a true baptism by fire — and she pulled it off like the pro we knew she was destined to be.”
Gorman added, “Betty did the 10pm-2am shift in between Denny Sanders and B.L.F. Bash for years. She also holds the WMMS record for the highest ratings ever achieved for 18-34 adults for Saturday nights in Cleveland — when she received a 60.5 share of audience in Fall of ’74. Babz was a true rock and roller with the Stones and Zeppelin amongst many of her favorites. She also enjoyed classical music.”
Betty had been living in Lead, SD, and her husband, JoJo tragically passed away unexpectedly this past December from complications following an operation. Betty’s niece Kara said, “Betty was a trouper. She went through so much in her life! She died basically of a broken heart. She practically raised me. She and JoJo will be missed.”
In closing, Gorman said, “Babz, we are going to miss you. As one of her other favorite bands — Heart — once sang, “You’re rocking heaven down!’ We will cherish our memories of her.”
