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A Boss Jock Goes to Rock 'n Roll Heaven |
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Sad Christmas Eve for all of Philly-born baby boomers who grew up listening to WFIL.
Yeah, I listened to WIBG (WIBBAGE) too, and we lost a great voice in Hy Lit some time ago, but now, comes word that George Michael, has passed away at 70.
Most of you living in the Washington, D.C. area knew George strictly as a sportcaster and longtime sports anchor on NBC's Channel 4.
I know him as a teen, growing up listening to the "Boss Jocks" on 'FIL: George plus Dr. Donald Rose, Dick Heatherton (Joey's brother), Dave Park, The Rockin' Bird, Joe Niagara, Long John Wade, and of course, Jim O'Brien.
God, those were the days to be a kid in the 1960s.
Little known fact.
George Washington High School started a journalism class in 1969 and I was in it. During my sophomore year, I dabbled for the first time in broadcasting and did a high school football game with ... George Michael. I was his color man and statistician.
Of all the Boss Jocks, George was my favorite. He was a genuine hit with the teens of the late 60s and early 70s in Philly and a down to earth, nice guy.
In his later years as a sportscaster I have to tell you that George seemed a little embarrassed by his Boss Jock days. He would later join Cousin Brucie at WABC in New York.
When I was a reporter in Washington in the early 1980s, I used to kid George about the whole Boss Jock thing. I got the distinct impression he didn't want any of the Redskins - that was his favorite team _ to know about his past as a record-spinning DJ on Famous 56. He had moved on.
Me? I thought it showed how far George as come in changing mediums and doing it quite successfully.
I remember at my 35th high school reunion we talked about him and Jungle Jim O'Brien showing up at Washington High and signing autographs.
Tonight, we'll play a little Beatles for you, George.
I'll pretend I'm listening to you on my RCA transistor radio.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • 
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