40 Cheers To Boston’s Joe Cortese
• For reasons still unclear, most of the schools and banks in the Greater Boston area will remain open today, even though Nov. 7, 2023, marks Joe Cortese‘s 40th anniversary on the air in Boston!
Cortese, currently Creative Services Director for Audacy Boston, began his radio career at the legendary 92 PRO-FM/Providence before starting his Boston run as the late night talent on the former 98.5 WROR on November 7, 1983. As the station evolved to WBMX (Mix 98.5) in 1991, Cortese was named midday host, and later, host of the widely acclaimed Back to the ’80s Saturday Night. Over time, the show evolved into other slots on the former WODS (Oldies 103.3) — now WBGB (Big 103) — and currently on AC sister WMJX (Magic 106.7), where it continues to thrive every Saturday from 8pm-midnight.
The ongoing success of Back to the ’80s Saturday Night spurred Cortese into national syndication in 1998 with the launch of Retro Pop Reunion, which is produced in conjunction with Throwback Brands and nationally syndicated by Skyview Networks on 40+ stations each week.
“Joe Cortese is a name known around the radio world and for good reason — he’s the best, and he can do it all,” said Steve Salhany, VP of Programming for Audacy Boston. “Congrats on your 40 years of success, Joe!”
“To know Joe is to love Joe,” said Tony Lorino, CEO of Throwback Brands. “He’s quietly taught a generation of programmers and producers how to raise the bar for their brands by the work he puts in on the ground in Boston, and each week into Retro Pop Reunion. Our industry is, simply put, better because of Joe Cortese.”
Coworkers, past and present, along with family and other friends, joined together to share their memories and well-wishes for Joe with a special tribute video, posted at retropopreunion.com.
