I Spent An Hour With 2 Radio Legends: John DeBella & Pierre Robert

Today I got to spend an entire hour with 2 radio legends, WMGK's John DeBella & WMMR's Pierre Robert. What makes a radio legend? Longevity? Interview skills? Ability to connect with the audience?

Longevity. Check.  These 2 men have a combined 83 years on the radio in Philadelphia.

Interview skills. Check. Both have too many great interviews to recount.

Ability to connect with listeners. Check. John and Pierre can't go to any event in the Philadelphia area without hearing someone scream, "Yo DeBella! Pierre!" With JDB's impending retirement, the number of calls and emails that have come to him truly show the extent of how much he has connected with the city of Philadelphia. Many people have had the opportunity to meet or have a quick chat at an event with one (maybe even both) of these men. Those interactions are always special for a listener and a lot of times will remain with them their whole lives. Knowing both John and Pierre, those quick chats, hello's or photos mean a lot to them too.

Sometimes you're lucky enough to be in a job that allows you more than just the quick conversations. I have that job and it's morning like today that really hammers home how awesome it can be at times. Sure, we have fun each day and the whole goal of a morning radio show is to keep people entertained, to make them laugh, and have a good start to the morning. A lot of the time we're just as entertained as the listener driving to work, which to be honest probably makes for better radio. Who wants to listen to a show that the people doing it aren't actively enjoying? For me today was one of those 'having so much fun' days. To spend a full hour with John and Pierre, reliving their years together at WMMR and the crossovers from mornings to middays, while also being actively involved in the conversation is something extremely special that I won't soon forget.

This morning (Monday 6/26) marked the beginning of the final week of John's incredible radio career. As of this writing, he has 4 shows remaining before riding off into the sunset and spending time doing things that people who work normal hours get to do! I hope this morning, hearing Pierre and John do an hour of radio together, was as special for them as it was for me. What a great way to start off the week as we celebrate the last few shows of the man who helped transform Philadelphia morning radio into what it is today.

The John DeBella Farewell Happy Hour turned into a great way for a local legend to interact with listeners face-to-face one last time.

It took place at Parx Casino in Bensalem on Wednesday, June 21. The packed house enjoyed a meet and greet with John, a creative slideshow with priceless photos from his career, and some entertaining chatter from his good friends Pierre Robert and Bill Weston.

John will retire after a legendary career spanning over 48 years, 41 of them in the Philadelphia market, going all the way back to his days on The Morning Zoo on MMR and extending to the past 21 years at MGK.

It's been an eventful month leading up to his final show on June 30. Follow along with our 41 & Done tributes.

The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia also celebrated his achievements with a luncheon on Wednesday.

The accolades came just five days after the record-breaking Veterans Radiothon. The charity fundraiser brought in over $219,000 for the Veterans Multi-Service Center in Philadelphia.

The Radio Hall of Fame has also nominated DeBella for their class of 2023 just a few months after the Philadelphia Music Alliance honored him on their Walk of Fame.

He’s taught listeners to “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” and they showed up in full force with appreciation and memories at the John DeBella Farewell Happy Hour.