Who made you want to work in radio?

[Pastywhitethighs]

For me it was Harv Moore. He did AM drive in DC at WPGC in the late 60's and early 70's. I totally wanted to be that guy when I was a kid.

[FreddyB]

I wanted to be a jock when I was 6 or 7-years old.  Bob Alexander was one of the first to inspire me on WKBO, but it was John St. John ("the One Saint that Ain't") who made me decide it's what I wanted to do.  I remember calling the request line one day, and boldly asking the Saint, "How much do disc jockeys make a year?"  Remember, I was just a silly kid.  St. John (who was obviously having some fun with me) replied, "Oh, heavy bread, man! About 12-grand a year!"

 

[Rockin Rob]

It wasn't until 1982 that I discovered Top 40 radio living outside of Philly didn't pay much attention to the radio until hearing KYW covering the death of Italian Premiere Aldo Moro - with Pope Paul VI presiding over the funeral - in 1976). Then, I heard Terry "MotorMouth" Young on WCAU-FM. It was that day that I changed my focus from wanting to be either a news anchor or meteorologist to a DJ.

Since then, my desires became cemented with the likes of Ross Brittain (WZGO), Dennis John Cahill (WWSH), Dangerous Dan Donovan (WFIL), "Wee Willie" Bill Weber (WIP), Tom Moran (WIP), Dick Fennessey (WFIL), Diamond Jim Nettleton (WUSL), Gary Leigh and Brian Murphy (both WEGX), Rob Charry (WIOQ) and Mike Bowe (WMGK).

(EDIT) Jesus, how could I almost forget being able to get WMAR-FM from Baltimore a few nights back in 1983 and Pete "The Night Wolf" Michaels, then remembering how he was P/T at CAU-FM at the same time???!?!? He had that "DJ gone wild" (a la Mr. Young) delivery on MAR, but then was a straight forward DJ on CAU. Amazed me even to this day!

[early]

Where do I start?
How about Art Roberts WLS
Michael O'Shea  KLIF (Dallas)
Ken Dowe  (KLIF & KNUS Dallas)
Mike Seldon (KLIF & KVIL Dallas)
Jack Schell  (KVIL Dallas)
Bill Gardner (KVIL Dallas & a few other great stations)

[jackandcoke]

Sandy Jackson at Omaha's 660/KOWH, America's first Top 40 station--and later at KOIL
Gary Owens, KOIL
Larry Lujack, Chicago's WLS & WCFL

[GATESYARD]

Also, not forgetting,

George Michael and Dr. Don Rose--WFIL
Big Ron when he was at Super CFL

[jimbradley]

Maybe the question should be--What makes you want to get out of radio now?
I just heard from two close friends in York who've been shown the door and we also  know of some Metro people in Harrisburg and Philly that got fired recently.  All victims of cost-cutting.
What made me want to work in radio?  Taking a tour of a little station in a swamp in Glen Burnie Maryland for a scouting badge many years ago, then being a high school correspondent on WCAO when it was Top 40 and they had kids from many area schools call in. Wanting to communicate-wanting to make a difference in people's lives. Listening to Robert C. Allen the Third and Johnny Dark. Working with the late Ted Steele who once had his own TV show on the old Dumont network and led a big band and worked with Perry Como--but Ted treated me like I was important too.

[DXDXDX]

Who inspired me?  That's easy...an ex-girlfried!

At the time she was dating an Army Officer.  I wanted to impress her and her father who was a minor big shot in town.  So, I got into radio at the "prestigious" station in the market.  So, lets call her Debbie.  Debbie was dating Lt. Bob.  I wanted Debbie to date me, Mr. Big Shot Radio Guy.  Debbie seemingly became interested in the Radio Guy and got rid of Lt. Bob for me!  Little did I know Rosey was lurking in the shadows!  Debbie got rid of Lt. Bob using me as the excuse.
Lt Bob went off to become a millionaire.  Debbie and Rosey moved off to another state to begin their life "together"!  Debbie and Rosey split up and Debbie moved in Tina.  Another happy couple.  The Big Shot Radio Guy continued in radio!

The story you have read is true...the names were changed to protect the innocent!

[FreddyB]

Who inspired me?  That's easy...an ex-girlfried!

At the time she was dating an Army Officer.  I wanted to impress her and her father who was a minor big shot in town.  So, I got into radio at the "prestigious" station in the market.  So, lets call her Debbie.  Debbie was dating Lt. Bob.  I wanted Debbie to date me, Mr. Big Shot Radio Guy.  Debbie seemingly became interested in the Radio Guy and got rid of Lt. Bob for me!  Little did I know Rosey was lurking in the shadows!  Debbie got rid of Lt. Bob using me as the excuse.
Lt Bob went off to become a millionaire.  Debbie and Rosey moved off to another state to begin their life "together"!  Debbie and Rosey split up and Debbie moved in Tina.  Another happy couple.  The Big Shot Radio Guy continued in radio!

The story you have read is true...the names were changed to protect the innocent!

Holy crap, that's f***ed up.  And I thought my life history was crazy.