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May. 22nd, 2005 10:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
greatbear(Note: A post will be forthcoming that will tell all about my NYC trip. I needed to do this first.)
I'm thoroughly bummed. Worse, actually.
You see, there has been something, and someone, that has been a part of my daily life for over 27 years.
It's a radio station.
WIYY aka 98 Rock has been on air with virtually the same format for going on 28 years. Starting off as an AOR outlet in the mid-70s after (thankfully) replacing the 'beautiful music' (read: elevator muzak) format from before they have stayed the rock 'n' roll course longer than any other in the Baltimore market. Being owned by Hearst Broadcasting has also kept them a bit away from the mergermania that has infected the medium and has, in my opinion, ruined it. WIYY and their rather warbly set of call letters has been a mainstay on my radio dial for all this time. There have been many DJs and other personnel who have come and gone throughout the years, many of whom honed their skills here and found new stations (Bob Rivers and his Twisted Tunes for one). There has been one constant though, and he had become just as much, if not sometimes more of the reason I listened so faithfully. He was their newsman, Robert "Bob" Lopez, who was known simply as "Lopez" throughout those years with 98 Rock. He would have hourly newcasts during the mornings that condensed the news into 5 minute segments. Devoid of fluff or sensationalism, it was from Lopez that I got my dose of current events and such, as well as school closings and whatnot that were part of the info the station would supply.
At first, Lopez had the presence of Les Nessman from WKRP. Taking the news and everything else he did so seriously among the rock music and DJs of varying personalities. His nasal voice stuck out. But, I liked him for some reason. He was a no-nonsense, liberal, pull-no-punches sort. Lopez remained after the format tweaks and the revolving door of other personalities, morning show ideas and people would happen. His respect grew as well as his duties on 98 Rock. But the news was his. He also became part of lots of the morning shows in later years, becoming another voice in the crew, his irreverent personality, sophisticated humor and healthy skepticism made me smile.
In those 27+ years, just about any newsworthy event, disaster, celebration, you name it that I heard about came from Lopez. He was, in many ways, like a Walter Cronkite of the radio waves to me. Faithful and familiar. Because I had music playing in the background, usually from 98 Rock, when I heard his voice at a time that he's not ordinarily scheduled, it often meant something was wrong, or there was some breaking news story.
In late 2003 when Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer, not too long afterward Lopez announced on air that he too had been diagnosed with lung cancer as well, though at quite a bit more of an advanced stage. That did not stop Lopez, who continued his work at WIYY as long as he was able. His occasional coughing fits would come through the other mics even though he would mute his. As things worsened, the station installed a remote at his house where he kept on going. There would be stretches of time where he'd be off, but would come back as soon as he could.
Today, sadly, he died. I found out about this when I got home this evening as I was working in the garage. When I heard this, I was totally floored. Somehow it just didnt seem right. Between songs there have been kind words and thanks being played from people calling the station as well as announcements from the station personalities. Also being played are highlights and flashbacks from over the years. Such an outpouring of thanks and sadness from people who's lives he touched. When I told Mom, she too was greatly saddened as well, because she too got to know his familiar voice and would listen on occasions.
These days, with news being watered down with sensationalism, or being censored at a corporate level Lopez' brand of news stood above it. Real news, but from an unlikely outlet.
I've been carrying around a little radio tonight, listening to the tributes and good words. And trying not to cry too much.
R. Edward Lopez
1953-2005
I'm thoroughly bummed. Worse, actually.
You see, there has been something, and someone, that has been a part of my daily life for over 27 years.
It's a radio station.
WIYY aka 98 Rock has been on air with virtually the same format for going on 28 years. Starting off as an AOR outlet in the mid-70s after (thankfully) replacing the 'beautiful music' (read: elevator muzak) format from before they have stayed the rock 'n' roll course longer than any other in the Baltimore market. Being owned by Hearst Broadcasting has also kept them a bit away from the mergermania that has infected the medium and has, in my opinion, ruined it. WIYY and their rather warbly set of call letters has been a mainstay on my radio dial for all this time. There have been many DJs and other personnel who have come and gone throughout the years, many of whom honed their skills here and found new stations (Bob Rivers and his Twisted Tunes for one). There has been one constant though, and he had become just as much, if not sometimes more of the reason I listened so faithfully. He was their newsman, Robert "Bob" Lopez, who was known simply as "Lopez" throughout those years with 98 Rock. He would have hourly newcasts during the mornings that condensed the news into 5 minute segments. Devoid of fluff or sensationalism, it was from Lopez that I got my dose of current events and such, as well as school closings and whatnot that were part of the info the station would supply.
At first, Lopez had the presence of Les Nessman from WKRP. Taking the news and everything else he did so seriously among the rock music and DJs of varying personalities. His nasal voice stuck out. But, I liked him for some reason. He was a no-nonsense, liberal, pull-no-punches sort. Lopez remained after the format tweaks and the revolving door of other personalities, morning show ideas and people would happen. His respect grew as well as his duties on 98 Rock. But the news was his. He also became part of lots of the morning shows in later years, becoming another voice in the crew, his irreverent personality, sophisticated humor and healthy skepticism made me smile.
In those 27+ years, just about any newsworthy event, disaster, celebration, you name it that I heard about came from Lopez. He was, in many ways, like a Walter Cronkite of the radio waves to me. Faithful and familiar. Because I had music playing in the background, usually from 98 Rock, when I heard his voice at a time that he's not ordinarily scheduled, it often meant something was wrong, or there was some breaking news story.
In late 2003 when Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer, not too long afterward Lopez announced on air that he too had been diagnosed with lung cancer as well, though at quite a bit more of an advanced stage. That did not stop Lopez, who continued his work at WIYY as long as he was able. His occasional coughing fits would come through the other mics even though he would mute his. As things worsened, the station installed a remote at his house where he kept on going. There would be stretches of time where he'd be off, but would come back as soon as he could.
Today, sadly, he died. I found out about this when I got home this evening as I was working in the garage. When I heard this, I was totally floored. Somehow it just didnt seem right. Between songs there have been kind words and thanks being played from people calling the station as well as announcements from the station personalities. Also being played are highlights and flashbacks from over the years. Such an outpouring of thanks and sadness from people who's lives he touched. When I told Mom, she too was greatly saddened as well, because she too got to know his familiar voice and would listen on occasions.
These days, with news being watered down with sensationalism, or being censored at a corporate level Lopez' brand of news stood above it. Real news, but from an unlikely outlet.
I've been carrying around a little radio tonight, listening to the tributes and good words. And trying not to cry too much.
R. Edward Lopez
1953-2005
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
cheer up
Date: 2005-05-23 03:56 am (UTC)Re: cheer up
Date: 2005-05-23 09:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-05-23 09:31 pm (UTC)musical memories...
Date: 2005-05-23 12:43 pm (UTC)Have a great day (or as best as can be expected)
Re: musical memories...
Date: 2005-05-23 09:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-05-23 02:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-05-23 09:58 pm (UTC)I know I'll miss him.