Here’s to the Legendary Radio Career of My Friend, John DeBella

A Radio Legend Signs Off...

All good things must come to an end.

The same can be said for all great things, and as a matter of fact, it can be said for all legendary things as well.

And that is exactly what happened today.

After 41 years in Philadelphia radio, the iconic John DeBella signed off for the last time on the airwaves to the greater Philadelphia area.

John spent many years right here at WMGK and I am sure most of you remember his time with WMMR, where he pioneered the morning zoo format in morning radio — which a lot of successful shows still on the air today were born from.

When you think of Philly radio, JDB is definitely on the Mount Rushmore of radio personalities — if not the very first person you think of.

John has been honored for his great career many times over the years like being inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame earlier this year, but nothing can really be put into words or really anything tangible for what he has meant to so many listeners in this amazing city.

But you don’t have to take my word for it, just look at some of the fans that showed up in the parking lot of our studio today to wish JDB a happy retirement, including John’s long-time friend, Dave Magrogan who owns all the Harvest Restaurants!

If you didn’t hear his final send-off today, you have to go seek it out and give it a listen. It was a tear-jerker, for sure.

I was honored to be mentioned in his final words on radio and it is something I’ll never forget.

John, thanks for the many years of entertainment, but more importantly, the many years of friendship.

In the movie, The Sandlot, there was a quote that went, “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die,” and the legend of JDB will forever be immortalized in Philly radio and all the people's lives he’s reached with his voice throughout the years.

Now go enjoy your time in retirement!