DJ Long John Wade dead at 66
tr...@iwvisp.com
Philadelphia Broadcaster Wade Dies
Long John Wade, who worked on air at WFIL/Philadelphia, and
accompanied the Beatles on their firsr tour of the United States in
l964, died of heart failure Wednesday at his retirement home on Cape
Cod. He was 66.
During the Beatles' 1964 visit to the United States, Wade did live
reports with his brother, Don Wade, on WDRC/Hartford, CT. He became a
Beatles expert, developing a personal friendship with each of the Fab
Four. John Lennon even invited Wade to join him and Yoko Ono for their
infamous bed-in at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal in May 1969.
Wade began his radio career while at Boston University. He later worked
at WSPR/ Springfield & WDRC/Hartford, CT. His broadcast career spanned
two decades, initially as on-air talent, and then as President./CEO of
the American Academy of Broadcasting in Philadelphia where he worked
until his retirement due to illness in 1979.
So sad to hear of the passing of Long John Wade. Beyond listening to
and being a LJW fan for years, I attended his American Academy of
Broadcasting in 1969 & 1970. I remember I was surprised that John was
hands-on, friendly and helpful. At AAB former WFIL engineer Fred Moore
was our instructor and, IIRC, former WIBG Newsman George Bailye (sp?)
was kind of an Operations Manager. I remember one day I walked in and
Long John was on the phone and George and several others were sort of
gathered around. I asked what's up and they said Long John was on
the phone with George Harrison! George Harrison! And I was this 18
year old kid only a few feet away. Quite a thrill back then.
What I found very interesting about the WFIL Air Personalities was that
they were each very distinct but all blended together so well. No one
I remember tuned away from WFIL to go to a different station because
they didn't care for Jay or George or Dave, etc. And one of the
things I liked most about John's style was that slight edginess he
had. I always had the feeling that at any minute he might take a run
at somebody and tell us what he really thought! I'm pretty sure it
never happened but the possibility was always there.
I tracked him down via email in Cape Cod a few years ago and he
remembered me as a student (I'm pretty sure I was the only one with
one hand) and he said we'd get together if he made it back out to Ca,
but now that's not to be.
I spent 21 years in radio from DJ to GM, in part due to Long John Wade.
I miss him already.
Ray Arthur