Dick Summer, 'Legendary DJ' WBZ, who hosted a late-night radio show in Boston, has died at the age of 89
WBZ-AM radio legend Dick Summer, the "iconic DJ" who hosted a late-night radio show, has died. He was 89 years old.
WBZ NewsRadio announced Tuesday the passing of Sammer, who was known for his show "Nightlight" and more.
"We have sad news from the WBZ NewsRadio newsroom", the station wrote. "Dick Summer, the legendary DJ who spun hits nightly on WBZ-AM in the 1960s and 70s, has died".
Before joining The Hub, Summer worked at many stations, including Indianapolis, where one night he picked up WBZ's signal all the way from Boston - and heard his former colleague's voice on the air.
That inspired Sammer to apply to WBZ, according to his biographical page on the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
"Dick sent the audition tape to WBZ program director Al Hickok, who promptly ignored it", Summer's biography says. "Then Dick sent another tape, with the same result. This went on for almost a year, until one day Dick got the job.
"Of course, fearing to ruin their prestigious reputation, WBZ hid Dick as far away from the nightly show as possible", his bio continues. "But Dick didn't care. He loved it. He was having so much fun".
Summer is remembered for reciting poetry during his nightly show.
His nightly show, "Nightlight", was also known for its humor, with listeners calling in to tell him the "password", "One chicken, two ducks and three quacking geese", according to WBZ NewsRadio.
According to the New England Museum of Music, the show had a serious side. Summer had a segment called "Nightlighters Against Gutlessness", which condemned people who turn away when they see a crime in progress.
"A legendary radio host", his obituary reads, then adds: "He pioneered the 'underground radio' channels on WBZ in Boston, a station with a clean AM channel that took his show across the country".
"He was more than a DJ spinning records", his obituary said. "He really wanted to connect with his audience through stories, games and even a softball team that always won".
Summer is also known for his voiceover work on television and radio commercials, and has even hosted a podcast.