Remembering Kal & Lucille Rudman
• Kal Rudman, the colorful founder of the long-running and influential “tip sheet” Friday Morning Quarterback(FMQB) passed away Tuesday, Nov. 30 at the age of 91 after a long illness. Making this news even more heartbreaking, we just learned yesterday that Lucille, Kal’s beloved wife of 63 years, passed away Thursday morning.
Rudman launched FMQB in 1968 in the basement of his home in Cherry Hill, NJ, the town that remained his corporate headquarters for more than half a century. The publication’s famous “Front Red Page” was required reading by programmers and label executives looking to break that next big radio hit — or “Go-Rilla” as Kal dubbed them.
Kal & Lucille also launched the Kal & Lucille Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supported several charitable, educational, and civic causes throughout the Philadelphia and South Jersey region.
Rudman closed FMQB down in early 2020 after a remarkable 52-year run and sold off the assets to former longtime FMQB CEO Fred Deane, who then launched Deane Media Solutions. Fred Deane has published a wonderfully heartfelt tribute to his friend and mentor — updated yesterday to include the passing of Lucille — and we urge you to take a few moments to read it and fondly remember Kal and Lucille Rudman. [Special thanks to Fred Deane — photo of Kal & Lucille Rudman courtesy of Deane Media Solutions]
