Joe Grady (September 23, 1918 – October 10, 2000) was an American radio personality. He was born in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

and grew up in

Broomall, Pennsylvania Broomall is a census-designated place (CDP) in Marple Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,789 at the 2010 census. History This crossroads community was renamed for the post office established to hon ...

. Grady's first radio job was with WIP while attending La Salle University. He landed his first full-time broadcast job as a radio announcer at

WHAT (AM) WHAT (1340 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by VM Broadcasting. History Founded as WHAT (1922–1944) On October 17, 1922, a new Philadelphia radio station was authorized b ...

, later becoming program director. In 1945, he joined WPEN, to do staff announcing but became a full-time radio announcer within a few months. In 1946, Ed Hurst joined WPEN, and with Grady originated the "950 Club". The show became Philadelphia's top rated radio program for the next decade. The show ran until 1955 and was a predecessor of '' American Bandstand''. In 1958, Grady joined WRCV radio and TV, now known as KYW on "The Grady and Hurst Show" morning radio program. Grady and Hurst rejoined WPEN in 1981, for a two-week reunion hosting "The 950 Club." The show became so popular again that they remained there until 1987 when Grady retired. He and Hurst were inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance in 1993 and have a star on the Walk of Fame. The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted Grady into their Hall of Fame in 1996 and named him Person of the Year in 1990, along with his broadcasting partner, Ed Hurst.

External links

Broadcast Pioneers

Philadelphia Music Alliance
American radio personalities Radio personalities from Philadelphia 1918 births 2000 deaths People from Marple Township, Pennsylvania {{US-radio-bio-stub