Remembering Tom Shannon
• Tom Shannon, legendary Buffalo, Detroit and Denver radio and TV personality, died May 26, 2021 in Salinas, CA after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 82 years old.
According to “Radio’s Best Friend,” Art Vuolo, “Shannon’s love of radio dates back to his high school days in Buffalo. His smooth on-air delivery, coupled with his boyish good looks made him as popular — especially with teen girls — as the rock stars of the day.” Vuolo said Shannon “segued several times between the Niagara Frontier and the Motor City, gracing the airwaves of WKBW, WGR and Oldies 104 in Buffalo. In Detroit it was the monstrous CKLW, plus WXYZ and WTWR, among others. He was equally well-known and popular in both cities. He also did a ‘Bandstand’-style TV show in Buffalo at both Channel 7 and 2, and in the early ’70s did a talk show at Denver’s KWGN-TV 2, while jocking at KLZ Radio.”
Vuolo continued, “Shannon reigned supreme at night at WKBW/Buffalo, drove a Corvette and even had Ann-Margret jump into his car for a date at a trendy downtown lounge. It was at that club when Shannon met a local rock band known as The Rockin’ Rebels, who wound up recording his radio show theme song, “Wild Weekend,” which was the only DJ theme to become a national hit!” While at CKLW, Shannon also created a late-night feature called “Bearskin Rug Music,” featuring soft love songs. It was a concept that has since been widely copied under different names.
Over the course of his long career, Shannon won just about every possible radio award and honor and was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He also was a U.S. Army veteran.
Shannon’s partner Marva and his children, John Michael and Catherine were at his side when he passed away. As is the tradition, Art Vuolo, along with a large support group, produced an incredible video tribute.
