Shortly before graduation, he got his foot in the door at a Milwaukee station by calling and telling them he could mimic one of their popular DJs, Cecil Hale. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loyal listeners during this extremely difficult time. ICONIC DJ Bobby O'Jay has died while at work at a Memphis radio station. WDIA was the first radio station in the country programmed entirely for the black community. He reflected on his career just before being inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame last year. Praying for the strength and peace of his family as we honor his legacy.. They didnt get in my business and things like that. The radio and music industries have lost a resilient pioneer and true legend.. Colleagues and family friends took to social media as news spread that former WDIA radio personality Fred "Hollywood" Moore died Saturday (Jan. 9) morning. About 10 years ago, WDIA followed the declining trend of urban formats across the nation. (Former WDIA radio personality & Annual Stone Awards Host)was my friend, partner in the Entertainment industry, an extension of Ma&9 Mustard Seeds Family member and Its my Time Entertainment/ House of MTenzi Museum Committee Member. Im more willing to say things to get your attention in a positive manner. . 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. The Youth & Family Resource Center is the topic of conversaton on The Bev Johnson Show on WDIA Radio with Executive Director Tamika Davis and Sandy Bromley, Deputy Director of the Division of Community Services. In 1972 Chuck Scruggs became its first black general manager and vice president, serving for 12 years. Many grieved in 2017 with the devastating loss of Sharon after 30 years of marriage to O'Jay. Wheelin On Beale: How WDIA-Memphis Became the Nations First All-Black WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African Americans for African Americans. She was raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan and attended public schools. Before joining WDIA the countrys first Black radio station as an air personality in 1983, OJay launched his radio career in 1972 in Milwaukee. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, WDIA's Bobby O'Jay during The Recording Academy HONORS 2005 at Memphis Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Radio proved to be a rocky road. . I know my mother and father knew I was on drugs. 2 in Memphis in terms of audience. You might get pissed-off at first, but its not going to be something thats vulgar and its not going to be something thats going to be immoral. Heres a guy who came from the cotton fields in Mississippi. WDIA went on the air June 7, 1947,[2] from studios on Union Avenue. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. My wife Melyne and I offer condolences to his family, to his radio family at iHeart and his loyal fans. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Broadcasting & media production company Photos See all Videos See all 0:38 [10], Many music legends got their start by working at WDIA, including B.B. Blues legend B.B. And I got a phone call, he remembered. As program director, he hired two other on-air personalities, who are still working: Bev Johnson and Mike Evans. King would later attribute his success as a musician to the recognition he received from his early career airtime on WDIA. Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. [3] WDIA is known for its community efforts throughout the years. Pharos Books, 1992). Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. When hewould usually open phone lines for listeners, the station continued to play music. His voice and opinions will truly be missed.. I have a huge family. It leaves a legacy behind, you know, for my family, you know, and of course for me and it also adds to the legacy of the radio station because now it will be four of us, he said. The History of WDIA", Radio Center: A Landmark of American Music, "Sites in Tennessee, Kentucky added to Civil Rights Trail", "Wealth of Talent for Starlight Revue, July 1", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WDIA&oldid=1132504634, This page was last edited on 9 January 2023, at 05:10. I know his legacy will continue through WDIA., Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. O'Jay, who had been with WDIA since 1983, was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. [I] stayed the 30 days, havent touched drugs and alcohol since, he said. Claim your profile Bobby O'Jay became a popular host and was a mainstay until his death on May 3, 2022. 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. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. Were doing as well as can be expected, O'Jay's niece Wanda Thomas told WREG. Win Tickets to New Edition at FedEx Forum! Born in Batesville, Mississippi on August 8, 1953, OJay began his dream career as radio host in 1972 in Milwaukee. Condolences to his family, colleagues and all who loved him. 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. [9] Originally, the fund provided transportation to school for disabled black children. Born in Batesville, Mississippi in 1953, OJay was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2021. Do you find this information helpful? Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. 3-3:30pm. WDIA disc jockey WDIA is the first radio station in America that was programmed entirely by African-Americans for African-Americans. WDIA Memphis mainstay Bobby OJay passed away of unknown causes on Tuesday (May 3). O'Jay was considered to be the King of Memphis radio. Im very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby OJay. As WDIAs program director, OJay made moves that turned the industry on its head. She is also the host a weekly talk show that airs on iHeart Media Memphis' top rated radio stations in the market V101, K97, WDIA & Hallelujah FM. WDIA (1070 AM) is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee. Longtime WDIA Memphis personality Bobby O'Jay passes away. One of the iconic voices of Memphis broadcasting, Bobby O'Jay, has died. May God Bless his family, his spirit, and his legacy.. Great to meet you. Rufus Thomas maintained his program until his passing in 2001. Influencing every black radio station to follow, WDIA assigned itself the moniker the Mother Station of Negroes. It earned the nickname the Goodwill Station as well because it broadcast public service bulletins announcing employment opportunities, missing children, social service agency information, and the like at the behest of its listening audience. [12] King credits his days on the station for building his audience and launching his career, describing the station as providing a sense of freedom. (Photo by Rick Diamond/WireImage), Visit Billboard Pro for music business news, Stax Records Icon Al Bell and More Reflect on 50thAnniversary of Wattstax, Chuck D Talks PBS & BBC Music Premiere of Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed theWorld, Lil Kim and Friends to Headline Apollo for Harlem Festival of CultureConcert. He was such an important part of WDIA and the City of Memphis, words cannot express how truly missed he will be.. He currently teaches Broadcasting @ Wooddale High. 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 Then he fired me, OJay laughed. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. What remained constant was his kooky smile and the genuine respect we had for each other. 5 Star Stories: Bobby OJay, king of Memphis radio, Woman accused of driving into home, killing former pro basketball player Galen Young granted diversion, Justin Bieber cancels remainder of world tour after Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis, 1 dead after multi-vehicle crash on I-240, traffic heavily congested, First Alert Meteorologist Brittney Bryant's Thursday Morning Weather 3/2, Bane leads Grizzlies to victory against Rockets, Baptist Memorial speaks out on gun violence, 1 dead after crash near Shelby Drive, MPD reports. Selco Builders Warehouse, which has a branch on Farnham Road in Slough, was revealed as the Builders' Merchant of the Year at the Builders' Merchants Awards. WDIA reached 10% of the African-American population in United States. Fred was real smooth on the air, and he had that infectious laugh. M-F 6am-3pm & Sun. 1070 WDIA is a radio station based in Memphis, Tennessee providing Urban Oldies/Classic Soul music. You can listen to Bobby OJay Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on 1070 AM. Regional As seen in: WDIA-AM (Memphis, TN), POWER Magazine Educator, Radio Personality, Husband, Father Is this you? 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. VIBE sends our deepest condolences to the OJay family and those affected by this tragic loss. "Cannonball" Cantor, one of the few white announcers on WDIA, tells how this decision resulted not only in business success, but mirrored America's nascent awareness of African American culture and social issues. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. At the end of everything, they had given me this fat contract. He was known as the 'King of Memphis radio', Bobby OJay dead at 68: WDIA host and King of Memphis radio dies before his morning show as fans pay tribute, Pedestrian who killed cyclist in clash over riding on pavement is JAILED after victim, 77, fell into path of car, Model 'paid thousands to smuggle 5m criminal cash into Dubai by hiding money in her holiday luggage', Dad 'fatally shot daughter, 7, in head & gunned down headteacher mum' who died of 'shock' from wounds in double killing, Rolf Harris sued over 'fresh sex attack after molesting vulnerable 10-year-old girl at school holiday camp', UK weather: Exact date snow and hail will hit Britain as chilly winds from the north blow in -1C temperatures, Frogmore eviction shows King Charles has drawn a line with Harry - now he must do two more things with the spoilt brat, Im a prison officer & worked with some of Britains feared men but I made a BIG mistake on my first month on the wing, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). 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