r'n'b. soul. WDIA's parent company iHeartRadio announced. As program director, he hired radio broadcast veterans Bev Johnson and Mike Evans, who still sit behind the mic. Even though there have been some ups and downs, its been more fun than anything.. Ive always had just the radio job. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. Martha Jean The Queen Steinberg (September 9, 1930 January 29, 2000) was an influential African-American radio broadcaster and later was also the pastor of her own church. At the time, most stations had one talk show per week. "Bobby OJay is Black Radio history and has forged many spaces that others hadnt while creating opportunities for many of the success that weve seen in both radio and black music. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. He was inspired by his cousin, Victory in Christ Christian Church senior pastor, Melvin Jones, who was a radio and record executive in OJays early days. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred Hollywood Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. I know my mother and father knew I was on drugs. Lee hosted shows on the pioneering African-American radio station for decades. 1070 WDIA is the heart & soul of Memphis! Captain Curtis Lee, a longtime WDIA radio personality passed away Wednesday. WDIA, where OJay worked for decades, issued this statement: It is with great sadness we share the passing of the Legendary Bobby OJay. He began his teaching profession at Northside High, (his alma mater), where he taught English and Applied Economics. The first radio station in the United States programmed by and for African Americans, WDIA was one of only six stations broadcasting in Memphis, Tennessee when it hit the airwaves in 1947. [3] WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. It reads in part: MY GOD PLEASE HAVE MERCY! WDIA 1070 Memphis - Bobby O'Jay - December 19 2019Bobby O'Jay was one of the most iconic voices in Memphis Broadcasting. Final arrangements were pending at press time Wednesday (Jan. 13). King and Rufus Thomas. [11], Williams ended his show in 1972 following a stroke. Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. Radio Station and Created the Sound that Changed America (New York: SIDEBAR. 20072023 Blackpast.org. Born in Batesville, Mississippi on August 8, 1953, OJay began his dream career as radio host in 1972 in Milwaukee. MEMPHIS, Tenn Legendary Memphis radio icon Bobby O'Jay has passed away. 69 talking about this. Scruggs played a major role in organizing the foundation and raising money to preserve the Lorraine Motel and found the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Call sign: WDIA Frequency: 1070 AM City of license: Memphis, TN Format: Urban Contemporary Owner: iHeartMedia Area Served: Memphis Sister stations: 600 WREC , 95.7 Hallelujah FM , The Mighty 990 , K97.1 , V101 , 101.9 KISS FM , ROCK 103 Memphis Active since 1947, it soon became the first radio station in the United States that was programmed entirely for African Americans. WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. After 44 years in radio, OJay is known around the nation for his Bobbyology. May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy., Black Developers Housing Summit headed to Memphis to educate & empower, Ken Moody makes move from city government to the U of, For the childrens sake, let us not allow our history to, City Council edges forward with measures for police reform and oversight, A selection of books with African-American History Month in mind, Ekpe Abioto brings solid message with Dont Touch A Gun, WLOK Black Film Festival salutes Black History Month with Poitier-directed A, PREVIEW: Thank you Katori Hall for TINA The Tina Turner, Talking Black AF (And Fearless) takes root at town hall, Angela Davis reaction to a big reveal was the most priceless. AKWAABAWelcome Home! [1] It featured black radio personalities; its success in building an audience attracted radio advertisers suddenly aware of a "new" market among black listeners. Stan Bell Host, WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN) Memphis U.S. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work. Bobby O'Jay, radio personality on Memphis' WDIAthe country's first Black radio stationhas died at the age of 68. In 1949 the station was no. Born in Batesville, Mississippi. That range included about 10% of the black population of the United States which in turn garnered substantial advertising revenues. After Milwaukee, OJay crisscrossed the nation with DJ stints in multiple cities, from Houston to Dallas to Chicago, but as his popularity rose, so did temptations. He was a kind and good man with a super smooth voice and infectious laugh. Bell will still continue his afternoon show on V101, while also taking over morning drive at WDIA. During his 50 year radio career, O'J. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. 2013, Africana: the encyclopedia of the African and African American experience, "WDIA, Sixth Memphis Station, Is Launched", "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times. On air personality Bev Johnson of WDIA, AM 1070 in Memphis, Tennessee. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. In the 1970s and 1980s, the owners of WDIA also owned KDIA, a similarly formatted station in the San Francisco Bay Area. A cause of death has not been released by authorities. Radio talk show host Beverly Elaine Johnson was born on May 10, 1953 in Memphis, Tennessee to William Van and Julia Danner Johnson. For other inquiries, Contact Us. [7] Its powerful signal reached the Mississippi Deltas dense African-American population and was heard from the Missouri Bootheel to the Gulf Coast. Talking to TV outlet Fox 13/Memphis prior to his induction, OJay said of his 49-year career, Ive never had this job and that job. [4], Nat D. Williams, a syndicated columnist and high-school teacher, started Tan Town Jubilee on October 25, 1948. View our online Press Pack. 3-3:30pm. 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WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. What are you doing? That kind of thing, said Stan Bell. www.mywdia.com; John Hopkins, Radio Center: A Landmark of American The trailblazer's voice and personality have helped make up the fabric of the Bluff City for decades as part of the historic legacy of the Mid-South's first African American radio station, WDIA. When WDIA first went on air June 7, 1947, it was owned by John Pepper and Dick Ferguson, both . Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. 1,679 talking about this. 2 Be Kind and Courteous We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Memphis radio WDIA DJ Bobby O'Jay died at age 68 Tuesday morning. One of the stations most well-known personalities, Bev Johnson, told, that Moore was kind of laid back and real smooth., We have lost a gentle giant in the radio industry. Simple and modern interface. It featured shows by Beale Street legends such as Nat D. Williams, Rufus Thomas, B.B. He was 68. The station relocated in 1985, but the WDIA neon marquee remains above the original entrance at 112 Union Avenue near the Main Street intersection in downtown Memphis. Together the three transformed WDIA into the South's first African-American-oriented radio station, soon to be known throughout the region as the "Mother Station of the Negroes.". 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. "I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise.. It sort of reminded you of (the legendary) Nat Williams.. 1070 WDIA Podcasts Playlists from 1070 WDIA Latest News See All Advertise With Us For You Fred was real smooth on the air, and he had that infectious laugh. [9] Originally, the fund provided transportation to school for disabled black children. RADIO ICON Bobby O'Jay dead at 68: WDIA host and 'King of Memphis radio' dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute. . After a series of local owners it was bought by media giant Clear Channel Communication in 1997. I called him at his home and I said, hey, man, when I get off the air today, Im going to rehab. He said, for what? I said I got a drug problem. The 12-year-old would turn the radio dial and listen to what DJs both talked about and sounded like for years. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. He was on the air, he engaged with his callers, talked to his listeners. 5/5 based on 1 review. M-F 6am-3pm & Sun. Owned and operated by iHeartMedia. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. Tennessee State Rep Antonio Parkinsonsaid: "This is not only a loss for us as a city in Memphis, but a loss to all of us in the black community nationally, those of us in black music and radio and those of us who saw him as a mentor. "The radio station helps me, it's therapeutic," Lee said. All Rights Reserved. He was such an important part of WDIA and the City of Memphis, words cannot express how truly missed he will be.. Nobody said a word to me. I have met some of the biggest stars in America. Black radio personalities such as Jack "The Rapper" Gibson of WERD and Tall Paul White of WEDR in Birmingham, drew praise from Martin Luther King and other prominent Black leaders for their contributions to American Civil Rights efforts. Download Our Free iHeartRadio App! King would later attribute his success as a musician to the recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. But at the time he took the job, the drugs were still in his system. Johnson said his presence was deeply missed by those who stayed. So, he was no novice when he came here to us.. Later the fund expanded to include college scholarships, establish boy clubs, provide 125 Little League Teams to Memphis and neighboring communities, and help provide low cost supplemental housing (Wilson). Listen online or on your phone with our free app! ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. On Wednesday, WDIA took phone calls from Memphians who grew up listening to and talking to O'Jay on his morning radio show. Nat was a history teacher and the first black radio DJ at WDIA in Memphis. Click here to sign up for our newsletter! When I returned to Memphis as the citys music commissioner, the acknowledgment and respect he showed me were priceless. Stan Bell, one of the citys most beloved on-air personalities and popular, local DJ also posted on Facebook: We have lost a gentle giant in the radio industry. He had a daily 15-minute show, promoting first a patent medicine called Pep-Ti-Kon, and later Lucky Strike cigarettes, the first major advertiser for the station. She was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended public schools. Wdia Profile and History . The Legendary Fred Hollywood Moore. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. WDIA's afternoon radio talent playing the best music in the world and keeping you up to date with the latest local and community information. King and Rufus Thomas. He cared about the artists records he played. [14], "Celebrating 65 Years of Goodwill & Good Times." Your donation is fully tax-deductible. Press Center, This site is best experienced in portrait orientation. Music legends such as B.B. iHeartRadio Ultimate Contest, Sweatfest Punta Cana with Keith Sweat. Let's treat everyone with respect. Back in 1986, I decided that it would be a great idea for us to start putting talk shows on the radio station, he recalled. You can listen to Bobby OJay Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM. Share. His cause of death is currently unknown. [10], Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. Johnnie Walker, founder/CEO of the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment, Inc. (NABFEME), knew OJay during her career ascension from radio station PD to senior vp, promotion at Def Jam Recordings. A segue to an on-air gig in Montgomery, Alabama, was followed by a return to Milwaukee prior to landing at WDIA, where he also served as program director, During the course of his estimable tenure at the station, OJay interviewed a whos who in Black music and culture, including Whitney Houston, Muhammad Ali and Temptations members David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks. Blues legend B.B. "We have raised over $900,000 over the years," A.C. Williams says. Fred later became program director at that station in 1977. WDIA (1070 AM) is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. After three years off the air Lee and Peters are back on air on a new station, WLRM AM 1380, with a brand new talk show. He was green so he hired an experienced executive who needed a job. Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., the station's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, and the transmitter site is in North Memphis. Kwanzaa and the celebration of Imani faith! May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy.. He also served as program director during his tenure and interviewed countless Black music and culture legends, including Whitney Houston and Muhammad Ali, as well as David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations. [6] WDIA soon became the number-2 station in Memphis. He broke a lot of records. [11] Elvis Presley was greatly influenced by the station. OJay eventually got a tour of the station, but back then, you needed an FCC license to be a DJ, so radio would have to wait. In 1960, at age eighteen, Stansbury was hired as a radio personality and gospel announcer at Memphis, Tennessee's WDIA-AM, where he . On Air Talent Oct 2007 - Present15 years 3 months. February 10. It wasn't black owned, but it appealed to a black . Bobby Ojay is Black Radio history and has forged many spaces that others hadnt while creating opportunities for many of the success that weve seen in both radio and black music. [13] In addition, he contributed to the redevelopment of Beale Street and Soulsville, USA. [I] stayed the 30 days, havent touched drugs and alcohol since, he said. I started opening the phone lines on my show in the morning for people to respond to things, all kinds of things, about kids and relationships and politics, and all the things going on in the world that affect our lives. Search. 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