Obituary
Former WRIF Personality Carl Coffey Passes at 73
The MAB has learned that former WRIF-FM (Detroit) air personality Carl (Carlton) Coffey passed away September 24 at the age of 73. Coffey spent over 13 years at the station, hosting “The Riff Rock Cafe.” He then did 8 years at sister station WCSX-FM.
Read MoreSpecs Howard Dies at 96
Back to News Specs Howard Dies at 96 September 9, 2022 Specs Howard Specs Howard, the founder of Specs Howard School of Media Arts in Southfield passed away September 3 at age 96. “I am heartbroken to let you know that in the early hours this morning, Saturday, September 3, 2022, my father Specs Howard…
Read MoreEd Christian Passes at 78
Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Ed Christian, founder and chairman of Michigan-based Saga Communications passed away August 19 following a short illness. Christian bought WCER AM/FM (Charlotte) in 1970, but would sell the stations three years later to become VP/GM of 100.3 WNIC Detroit. He would then rise to President of Josephson Communications until purchasing the company for $38.5 million to form Saga.
Read MoreDave “Carr” Carmine Dies at 80
Longtime Michigan radio broadcaster David Carmine, known to many as “Dave Carr” (or “Cactus Dave Carr”) passed away August 8 at his home in Harrison at age 80. Carmine was a legend in the state, serving as an on-air personality, program director, engineer and station owner.
Carmine’s broadcast career goes back to the early 60s, where he worked at Detroit-area stations….
Read MoreFormer WZZM News Director Passes
Former WZZM-TV (Grand Rapids) News Director, John “Jack” Lawrence Hogan, 89, died at his home in Clermont, Florida on Aug. 4, 2022. Hogan led WZZM’s national award-winning news team for a quarter-century.
A well-respected leader among journalists, Hogan was elected by his peers…
Read MoreWRSR/Flint Midday Personality Derek Sorenson Passes
The MAB is sad to share the news that Derek Sorenson, midday host at Krol Communication’s WRSR-FM (Flint) has died. In a post on the station’s website, Program Director Jeremy Fenech wrotes, “We are heartbroken to report that our beloved Derek Sorenson passed away unexpectedly on July 16, 2022. He loved hosting events and making…
Read MoreEastern Michigan University Dedicates Garden to Honor Lisa Barry
On June 17, Eastern Michigan University held ceremonies to dedicate a memorial garden in honor of the late Lisa Barry, WEMU-FM radio host and reporter, who passed away on November 30, 2021. The garden is on the west side of King Hall, between Hover and King. Lisa Barry was a lifelong metro Detroiter with a…
Read MoreMario Iacobelli: 1938-2022
The MAB is mourning the loss of former board chairman and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Mario Iacobelli. The owner of Heritage Broadcasting (WWTV-WWUP-TV/Cadillac) passed away May 25 at the age of 83. “Mario was a titan in the broadcasting industry and his reach extends far beyond the work he did in Michigan,” said MAB President…
Read MoreIndustry Veteran Dick Rakovan Dies
One-time WJR-AM (Detroit) General Sales Manager Dick Rakovan has passed away. For 20 years, Rakovan, known to many as “Rackets,” served 20 years with the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) where he was Senior VP of Membership. Rakovan began his broadcast career at the former WKBW-AM (Buffalo, NY) working as a salesman. His first role in…
Read MoreLongtime Host of African American Inspiration Radio Show in Flint Passes
Bettye Jean Hendricks, 16-year host of the African American Inspiration radio show on WFLT-AM (Flint), heard on Saturday mornings died peacefully at her home on April 19 at age 74. In a story in MLive, the publication wrote that Hendricks’ impact on the Flint community is hard to describe because it was shown in so…
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