J. P. McCarthy
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Joseph Priestly "J.P." McCarthy (b. March 22, 1933, New York City – d. August 16, 1995) was a radio personality best known for his over 30 years of work as the morning man and interviewer on station WJR in Detroit, Michigan.
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[edit] Early life
J.P. McCarthy was born in New York City to John Priestly McCarthy and Martha Mary Barber McCarthy. He graduated from De La Salle Collegiate High School in Detroit, and briefly attended the University of Detroit before being drafted.
He married his first wife, Sally Thompson, while J.P. was doing radio at the local Naval base in Fairbanks, Alaska. Together, J.P. and Sarah had five children.
[edit] Getting Started
During his early years in radio, he gained experience at KFAR/Fairbanks (as a part-time job while still in the Army). He then returned to Michigan and went on the air at WTAC/Flint. While at WTAC he frequently auditioned for WJR/Detroit, and was hired as a staff announcer in 1956.
He was selected as a replacement for Marty McNealy as “morning man” in 1958. The station promoted him heavily, and he was soon the #1 rated radio show in Detroit.
[edit] Sojourn in San Francisco
WJR did not pay particularly well, and J.P. was offered the opportunity to do commercials for Stroh's Beer. The station management would not allow it, and after some discussion J.P. left Detroit for KGO/San Francisco, where he took the morning show from #6 to #3.
In 1964 Capital Cities Broadcasting bought WJR, and the president, Dan Burke, asked station manager Jim Quello why they lost J.P. After explaining the situation, Quello re-recruited J.P. to return to WJR, with a raise and the right to do commercials for anybody he wanted. J.P. returned to WJR in December 1964.
[edit] Glory and Fame on WJR
McCarthy's show included a mix of music, news, and sports, but his greatest fame was as an interviewer. Producer Hal Youngblood once said "Everyone is interested in what J. P. is interested in because he makes them interested in it." His curiousity ranged between business, current events, history, entertainment, and other topics. He thrived on call-ins, with features like "The Answer Man", where he answered callers questions, "Winners and Losers", and most popularly calls from Detroit executives and celebrities who were his friends.
[edit] The End
When J.P. McCarthy died, most Detroit radio stations observed one minute of silence as a tribute to the local legend. He was survived by his second wife, and his six children.
[edit] Children
- John
- Susan
- Diane
- Kathleen (twin)
- Kevin (twin)
- Joseph Priestly, Jr.
