Len "Boom Boom" Goldberg Passes Away12/28/2006 10:19:34 PM
December 2006 is leaving quite a mark. James Brown, Gerald Ford, and now, Len "Boom Boom" Goldberg.
If you lived in Cleveland, especially during the 70's and 80's, one of the most recognizable voices on the air, and an icon of the rock station WMMS, Len "Boom Boom" Goldberg has passed away at the age of 74.
During its heyday, WMMS was number one in Cleveland and a much copied station across the country. One of the pioneers at that station, Len was easily one of the more unique voices (the other being Kid Leo). Growing up in Cleveland, this was THE station. Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Roxy Music, New York Dolls, and The Tubes, all were heavily promoted by the station, before any airplay on other US airwaves. They would get an album, days or weeks before release, and play the whole thing, uninterrupted (before the "cease and desist" orders made it to the station). This was all before radio became big business, controlled by a few. It was a great time to live in Cleveland, to have access to this radio station.
It has been years since I last listened to the station. Now, I only listen to satellite radio, which is much closer to how radio used to be (but with no commercial interruptions). The death of "Boom Boom" has made me stop and remember a time when traditional radio mattered. Remember high school and college (walking across the campus with a WMMS shirt would be enough of a conversation starter). Remember specific bands, songs of the 70's and early 80's (Kansas, Boston, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, etc.). Bands that defined Cleveland, like Artful Dodger, Wild Horses, Michael Stanley, Alex Bevan, American Noise. Coffee Break Concerts. Rolling Stone Magazine Reader's Survey Number One Station in the Nation (before it was discovered that WMMS was stuffing the ballot box). WMMS rocked! There was nothing else like it. And Len was a cornerstone of that station and one of the main reasons to listen.
Len, God Bless You and Rock On!
Link: Len Goldberg: Plain Dealer Obituary
Technorati tag: WMMS Len Goldberg
Comment posted by Jack Gardner12/31/2006 01:50:14 AM
I listened to the audio clips posted on wmms from Boom, it brought back memeories and emotions that were long lost, a voice from my youth and from my city is gone. My children, unfortunatly, will never understand what that radio station used to mean to the people growing up here. Nothing and no one comes close to it today.
Comment posted by Gregg Eldred01/01/2007 09:16:26 PM
Homepage: http://www.ns-tech.com/blog/geldred.nsf
Thanks for stopping by, Jack. Radio changed, and with it, so did the voices that made it great. You are right, our kids will never understand what people like Len Goldberg meant to us. I brought up the death of Len to some friends (who didn't even know that he passed) and we spent about an hour remembering the old WMMS. Not quite the demographic that they shoot for now. 
Thanks for the comments.
Comment posted by Walt Tiburski01/10/2007 09:47:29 PM
Len Goldberg was the GOLD standard for quality radio talent!
I had the pleasure and honor to work with Len as the station's General Manager for many years during the "Glory Days" of WMMS.I recall his first heart attack and how worried he was that he might lose his job over it. I recall going to the hospital to reassure him that not only would he not be losing his job but that he was going to get a raise! We both shed tears at that joy filled moment.Len was a true radio man who's voice and memory will always remain with us. My Condolences to Len's family,former fellow Buzzards and his many friends.God Bless and Keep you My Friend! Walt Tiburski
BlogSphere V1.3.1
Join The WebLog Revolution at BlogSphere.net
- 