Remembering Jo Interrante

• We were saddened to learn that industry legend Jo Interrante died Saturday, April 15 after a prolonged and difficult illness. She was 78.

Interrante began her radio career in Dallas as a newscaster on KNUS and KVIL. Based on that success, she was hired by RKO to work at the legendary KFRC/San Francisco, where she was eventually promoted to News Director.

In the late ’70s, when RKO launched the RKO Radio Networks, Interrante was named as the network’s inaugural VP of Programming. During the ’80s Interrante teamed up with Rob Sisco to form IS INC, which produced weekly artist profile series MusicStar and The Hot Ones, hosted by John Leader and Dave Roberts. IS INC also created and produced John Leader’s Countdown America and Countdown USA hosted by Leader and Dave Sholin. Interrante was also the host of Live from The Record Plant for RKO. Until 2009, she was an executive with ABC Radio based in Dallas.

Sisco, currently President in North America for Soundout, told RAMP, “Jo was an award-winning superstar on the air and as a producer and interviewer. She was the best radio writer I’ve ever known. She was a talent for the ages.”

Sholin, now APD/afternoon drive at KSJJ/Bend, OR, said of Interrante, “Jo took the art of communicating news and information to a new level at KFRC and the RKO Radio Network. We shared the love of music and I was honored that she and Rob Sisco selected me to host their syndicated show Countdown USA. Most of all she was a treasured friend who had a smile and energetic life force that touched everyone she met. Will miss her greatly and sending heartfelt sympathies to her daughter Keith, son Christopher and all her family and friends.”