Former New England Radio Station Owner J.J. Jeffrey Dies

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, October 11, 2024

J.J. Jeffrey

The radio world is reflecting on the remarkable career and lasting impact of J.J. Jeffrey, a longtime air personality and station owner who passed away on Thursday, October 10, at the age of 84. Known for his vibrant personality both on and off the air, Jeffrey built a legacy across New England and beyond, first as a successful radio personality and later as a station owner.

Jeffrey began his on-air career in the 1960s, with stints at major Top 40 stations like WMEX in Boston, WFIL in Philadelphia and WLS in Chicago. His humorous and engaging style earned him a loyal audience, especially during his time as "Melvin X. Melvin" at WMEX, where he competed in the competitive Top 40 radio market. However, it was his unexpected decision in 1975 to leave WLS in Chicago, where he was still under contract, to return to his native Maine and pursue station ownership that would define the next chapter of his career.

Jeffrey partnered with fellow radio veteran Bob Fuller to form Fuller-Jeffrey Broadcasting, launching their first station, WBLM (102.9 FM), in Portland, Maine. WBLM would grow into a dominant Classic Rock station in the region. Their broadcasting group expanded to include several other stations across Maine and New Hampshire, cementing Jeffrey's influence in the market.

Reflecting on their partnership, Fuller recalled, "We had a lot of fun and tough times, and we nearly lost it all," he said. "But with good people - and a good lender -- we got through it." The pair eventually sold their operations to Citadel Broadcasting in 1999 for $63 million, but the partnership didn't end there. They reunited to form Atlantic Coast Radio, which continued to own and operate stations in the Portland market, including sports, news-talk, and simulcast stations.

Jeffrey's radio career spanned more than five decades, and even in recent years, he occasionally contributed news cut-ins on his stations. However, his health had been failing in recent months, and he entered hospice care shortly before his passing. His death marks the end of an era for many who knew him as both a mentor and a friend in the broadcasting community.

Jeff Parsons, a current air personality at WJBQ Portland, worked with Jeffrey when Fuller-Jeffrey Broadcasting owned the station. "He had a great sense of humor and loved everything about radio," Parsons shared. "He left a big impression on me and many others who got to work with him, and he will be sorely missed."

Born in Portland in 1940, Jeffrey began his career in radio at a young age and quickly rose to prominence. Both he and Fuller were inducted into the Maine Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1997, a testament to their enduring contributions to the industry.