WABC Celebrates ‘Cousin Brucie’ & 102 Years
• Tomorrow, Sept. 7, 77WABC/New York and its owners, John and Margo Catsimatidis will honor music radio pioneer and legendary air personality Bruce Morrow, better known and loved as “Cousin Brucie” in recognition of his 60+ years of entertaining listeners. At the same time, at the same gala event, 77WABC will also celebrate 102 years of broadcasting!
Cousin Brucie originally joined 77WABC in 1961, a few years ahead of the British Invasion that brought America The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and more. Brucie and Ed Sullivan famously introduced The Beatles at their legendary Shea Stadium concert on August 15, 1965. In the ’80s and ’90s, Cousin Brucie was heard on WCBS-FM/New York and hosted the nationally syndicated Cruisin’ America. In 2005, Cousin Brucie launched his weekly Sirius/XM shows. He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1988 and the NAB Hall of Fame in 2001.
One of first changes Catsimatidis made when he purchased WABC in March 2020 was to bring back Cousin Brucie. On September 5, 2020, Cousin Brucie returned to host the Saturday Night Rock & Roll Party on his original radio home, 77WABC. “I grew up listening to 77WABC and Cousin Brucie,” Catsimatidis said. “My dream was to return 77WABC to its glory with compelling and entertaining programming and big-name personalities. Plus, I wanted to bring back music on weekends when we all need a break from news, politics, and business. I called Cousin Brucie and got him back where he belongs — on 77WABC.” Morrow exclaimed, “When John called me, I couldn’t believe what was happening. Here was a talk radio station owner asking me to come home and play music Saturday evenings on 77WABC! I can’t thank John and Margo enough for their vision. It’s been fun and rewarding, and the listeners love it.”
“This is radio done right,” said Chad Lopez, President of Red Apple Media and 77WABC. “John’s programming instincts have been spot-on! We’re giving listeners what they want — big-name talent and a winning mix of news, music, lifestyle, and entertainment programs. Our success, in just three years, has been phenomenal, and Cousin Brucie is a very big part of that.”
