It's 30 Years On The Air For John DeBella In Philadelphia

John DeBella

Congratulations to GREATER MEDIA Classic Rock WMGK/PHILADELPHIA WMGK morning host JOHN DEBELLA, who is celebrating 30 years on the air in THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE.

DEBELLA told PHILLY.COM, "When I came to PHILADELPHIA [from then Rock outlet WLIR/LONG ISLAND], I remember the first day of driving around here. I'm driving my car and listening to 'MMR just looking at the area and the radio is playing everything that [FM rock] radio stations in America are playing, plus ROBERT HAZARD, plus THE HOOTERS, plus ALAN MANN plus THE A's," he said, referring to local musical acts the station supported in the early 1980s. On the ISLAND, every [high-profile] band was a cover band. There was no original music coming out of the ISLAND. So when I came down here and heard all that, I fell in love, musically, with the city first."

ALL ACCESS Top 40 Editor DAVE HOEFFEL was interviewed for the article, and noted "He's talented, resilient and great at being 'local.' It's difficult to thrive in any business for 30 years, let alone radio. He not only survived the HOWARD STERN juggernaut, he thrived."

DEBELLA summed things up by saying "Every time I sign a new deal, I'm convinced it's the last one. But I'm gonna keep doing this as long as someone wants me. Or as long as I hold up."

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