Radio Industry Legend Gary Stevens Dead at Age 84

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, February 18, 2025 | 3:35pm CT

Gary Stevens

Gary Stevens, a legendary figure in the radio industry, passed away on February 17 in Delray Beach, FL, at the age of 84. Born in Buffalo, NY, on April 5, 1940, Stevens embarked on his distinguished broadcasting career in 1959 while attending the University of Miami. He worked at several stations during his early years, including WWOW in Conneaut, OH and Miami's WCKR and WAME, famously known as "Whammy in Miami."

Stevens made a significant impact in 1965 when he joined WMCA in New York as one of the "Good Guys," a group of high-profile air personalities. His evening show quickly became popular among young listeners. He also brought American music to international audiences through his program on the pirate radio station Swinging Radio England in 1966.

After retiring as a disc jockey in 1968, Stevens moved to Europe where he launched a company selling U.S. TV programs internationally. He returned to the U.S. in 1971 to manage KRIZ in Phoenix and later KDWB in Minneapolis, where he played a pivotal role in pioneering one of the first-ever AM/FM simulcasts.

Ascending to President of Doubleday Broadcasting in 1977, Stevens oversaw a portfolio of major stations, including WLLZ in Detroit, KWK in St. Louis, KPKE in Denver, WAVA in Washington DC, and New York's WAPP and WHN. His innovative strategies included the "Commercial-Free Summer" at WAPP, which revolutionized advertising models.

In 1986, following Doubleday's divestiture of its broadcast assets, Stevens transitioned to media investment banking with Wertheim Schroeder & Co., Inc., and later established his own firm, Gary Stevens & Co., specializing in radio station investments. He continued to influence the industry through board roles at the NAB, RAB, the MRC, and Saga Communications, where he briefly served as interim Chairman in 2022.

Stevens is survived by his wife, Frankie; children Kristin (Stevens) Sexton, Christopher Stevens, and Victoria (Stevens) Chapman; and grandchildren Georgina and David Chapman III. His death marks the end of an era for those who grew up listening to his distinctive voice and for the industry that he helped shape over five decades.