Scott Muni dies
Brian in Atlanta
http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/news/wire/sns-ap-obit-muni,0,6955337.story?coll=sns-ap-entertainment-headlines
'The Professor' of Rock Scott Muni Dies
By LARRY McSHANE
Associated Press Writer
September 29, 2004, 1:45 PM EDT
NEW YORK -- Disc jockey Scott Muni, the gravelly-voiced radio host whose
encyclopedic knowledge of rock 'n' roll made him "The Professor" to three
generations of New York listeners, has died at 74.
Muni, who spent nearly 50 years on air in the nation's No. 1 radio market,
died Tuesday. he had suffered a stroke earlier this year. But the cause of
his death was not immediately known, said Josefa Paganuzzi, spokeswoman for
Clear Channel New York.
Muni's last gig was an hour-long afternoon show on New York classic rock
station Q104.3, where he landed in 1998. He also hosted many nationally
syndicated programs during his career, including "Scott Muni's World of
Rock" and the Beatles-oriented "Ticket to Ride."
He was included in an exhibit on radio personalities at the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Muni's voice was instantly recognizable, a low rumble announcing the latest
tunes from the Beatles to Bruce Springsteen to Pearl Jam.
As the program director at WNEW-FM, he was one of the leading acolytes of
the freeform radio movement and became a major influence on the next wave of
DJs.
Known to his listeners as "The Professor" or "Scottso," Muni was renowned
for his interviews with artists such as Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Pete
Townsend and Springsteen.
In one of his more memorable encounters, Muni was speaking with Led Zeppelin
guitarist Jimmy Page when the musician suddenly collapsed to the floor in
mid-sentence, wiped out by days of partying. The unflappable Muni simply put
on a record, woke Page up, and conducted the rest of the interview with the
guitarist lying on the studio floor.
Muni was a die-hard fan of Bob Dylan and the Beatles; after the 1980 murder
of John Lennon, the DJ began opening his shows with a Beatles song.
"I did it all," Muni once said when asked about the one thing he wanted to
do before dying. "Some I did more than once."
Muni was born in Wichita, Kan., and raised in New Orleans. His broadcasting
career started in the Marines. He could be heard on Radio Guam reading "Dear
John" letters sent to his fellow servicemen.
Back in the United States, he replaced Alan Freed in Akron, Ohio, before
arriving in New York City in the late '50s as one of WMCA-AM's "Good Guys,"
serving up Top 40 fare. He switched to rival WABC-AM in 1960, and was there
during the height of Beatlemania.
But it was when he switched over to the new world of FM that Muni found his
perfect place on the radio dial. He arrived at WNEW in 1967, helping create
one of the nation's first and longest-lasting alternative stations.
In addition to his radio work, Muni asked, "How do you spell relief?" in a
Rolaids commercial. He also did promotional announcements for ABC's "Monday
Night Football."
There was no immediate word on a memorial service, but Clear Channel-owned
Q104.3 planned a weekend-long tribute to Muni featuring the music of the
Beatles. He is survived by his second wife and five children.
--
-Brian in Atlanta
The Who This Month!
http://www.thewhothismonth.com
Gina Cumello
They played many of Scott's interviews with The Who and many other great
Rock and Rollers, some who have also past. I am a Muni fan from way back
when he was on the old 102.7 F.M. WHERE ROCK LIVED for many years. I was
so excited when he came on board to 104.7. He was a Classic and really was
the PROFESSOR of Rock and Roll.
I have a little story to share. Back in 1992 I had gotten very ill while on
vacation at the Jersey Shore and find myself in the hospital. My husband
went to get me some real food. He went to a bar/restaurant and Scott Muni
was there. He overheard my husband tell the bartender about me being in the
hospital . Scott interrupted and wished me a fast recovery. My husband
told him I was a big fan of his. He then wrote me some really nice words of
encouragement. His way with words were always inspirational. He will be
missed. I use to really enjoy his 12:00 lunch special of the Beatles. He
was also a big fan of The Who.
RIP Scott
Gina
"Brian in Atlanta" <ca...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:W9KdnRZ4eZT...@comcast.com...
> From Newsday at:
JimZez5
Just got done listening to the Scott's August 4,1978 interview with
Rog,Pete,and Keith.Very telling stuff.Keith saying,"How I'm reading all these
reports how i'm supposed to be so closed to death".But with that said,what a
great moment in Who history.Pete and especially Keith are hilarious!
Schmoe
Wasn't he imortalized in a Van Morrison song?
Scoot
Where'd you come across this interview???
Thanks
Scoot
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