Matt Siegel Announces Retirement
• Boston radio fixture Matt Siegel, who has anchored the Matty In The Morning show on iHeartMedia Top 40 WXKS (Kiss 108)/Boston since Jan. 1981, just announced his retirement, effective immediately.
Siegel and his co-host Lisa Donovan had been off the air since April 19… the prevailing story being offered up was that Siegel and Donovan were away dealing with separate “family matters,” as longtime co-host Billy Costa and producers Justin Aguirre and Winnie Akoury held down the fort. It’s worth noting that Donovan was still M.I.A. today.
Just after 8am ET, Costa introduced Siegel, in what sounded like a pre-recorded segment. Siegel noted, “This past year has been a little rough; I had brain surgery and a broken foot, and started to get a little grumpy on the radio, which I hate, because all I want to do is make people laugh… I got off target, I guess you would say.” He added, “I’m a lucky guy for a million reasons, but five of them are a great wife and four great kids. And my great wife and my great kids talked with me over the last several weeks and helped me come to a decision, and the decision is this — as of now I am retired. I’m leaving Kiss 108 and starting my new life as a mediocre golfer.”
Siegel added, “We decided it was time. I started at Kiss 41 years ago, and it wasn’t my first radio job.” Siegel previously spent four years across the street on the late, legendary WBCN. “Add it up,” he said. “I turned 72 years old this year. It’s time.” He continued, “It’s been such a glorious run and I’m so appreciative. I think back to when I started in radio making $2 a hour, I never thought I would amount to this. I never thought I would win two Marconi Awards.” Siegel then paused and said, “It’s very possible that I could cry right now and it doesn’t feel very manly to cry over a radio show. It’s been a wonderful run.” He then thanked his team, present and past, calling them “superb radio talent” — Billy Costa, Lisa Donovan, Justin, Winnie, Dom.”
Siegel also thanked the management of iHeartMedia, “who were very generous to me, and paid me probably way more than I deserved.” Last but not least, Siegel thanked his longtime listeners, a.k.a. his “radio pals,” as he said, “Not in a million years would I ever thought I would have the following that I have with my silly jokes and silly interviews. I love you guys.” Clearing becoming more emotional, Siegel said, “I can’t thank you enough. I don’t feel like I deserve it. I did the best I could, but I can’t tell you how much I appreciate what you guys have done.” In closing, Siegel said, “I love you guys more than words can express, I’ll miss you terribly. This is really bittersweet. I agree with my family that’s it’s time to walk away.” The full transcript of Matty’s farewell address is posted at kiss108.iheart.com.
• So far there’s been no formal announcement regarding Matty’s successor, but we wouldn’t be shocked to see Costa and crew inherit the Kiss 108 morning mantle.
