Simon Geller (1919/1920 - 1995) was an American classical music station radio personality who ran a one-man radio station in
Gloucester, Massachusetts.
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Radio career
Geller was a radio engineer
Broadcast engineering is the field of electrical engineering, and now to some extent computer engineering and information technology, which deals with radio and television broadcasting. Audio engineering and RF engineering are also essential ...
before starting his own station.[ The station, WVCA-FM ran thirteen hours a day, seven days a week, and was operated out of Geller's apartment.][ He was known for his eccentric style, which included taking bathroom breaks during live broadcasts, shutting down the station to run errands, and his frequent on-air diatribes, often aimed at the FCC.][
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Legal battles over license
In 1982 the U.S. Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the United States. The FCC maintains jurisdicti ...
(FCC) voted not to renew Geller's operating license because he did not meet requirements for broadcasting non-entertainment programming and ascertaining community needs.[ The license was awarded to the Grandbanke Corporation, which had been challenging Geller's license since 1974.][ In 1984 a Federal Court of Appeals ordered the FCC to reconsider its ruling, citing "serious First Amendment concerns" and concerns over the FCC departing "from its own precendents" in comparing competitors for the license.][ In 1985 Geller's license was renewed.][
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Later life
In 1988 Geller retired from radio, selling his station for $1 million. At that time he had 90,000 listeners.[ After retiring Geller moved to the Upper West Side of New York City, where health issues kept him essentially isolated in his home.][
In 1990 a short film, ''Radio Fishtown,'' directed by ]Henry Ferrini
Henry Ferrini (born 1953, Boston, Massachusetts, United States) is an American non-fiction filmmaker best known for his portraits of Jack Kerouac and Charles Olson.
Ferrini attended Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, MA where he ...
, was made about Geller's life and career.[
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References
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