Remembering JJ Jeffrey
• We’ve lost another legend — JJ Jeffrey, former Top 40 jock-turned successful station owner, has passed away in Maine after a brief illness at the age of 84.
Jeffrey’s longtime friend, Chuck Knapp posted, “Gone but never forgotten. Early this morning our dear larger than life radio personality and great friend to so many passed peacefully. The words ‘rest in peace’ serve this moment very well. God bless you my friend. Prayers appreciated for his sister and family.”
Tim Moore, President/CEO of the Maine Association of Broadcasters, who famously worked for Jeffrey at WJBQ/Portland back in the day, tells RAMP, “I visited JJ about three weeks ago. He was frail, but we talked for almost two hours about everything radio — lots of laughs, and the same JJ that I’ve known for decades. He was truly one of a kind.” Moore also posted a nice tribute to his friend on the MAB website.
Born in Portland, ME, Jeffrey was a flamethrowing Top 40 jock back in the day at WLS/Chicago, WRKO/Boston, and WFIL/Philadelphia, before transitioning into station ownership for over 40 years with partner Bob Fuller, creating Fuller-Jeffrey Broadcasting, which at one time owned stations in Maine, Iowa and California. After Citadel bought the group for $63 million in 1999, Jeffrey went solo, operating Atlantic Coast Radio.
Both Jeffrey and Fuller were inducted into the Maine Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1997.
Just last month we reported that Jeffrey was seriously ill, and Knapp had asked for folks to send him cards of encouragement. Art Vuolo reports that many RAMP readers responded, as JJ received more than 50 (mostly funny) cards! Art said they meant the world to JJ.
