12.28.2013

THE LEGEND OF DETROIT ROCK RADIO: ARTHUR PENHALLOW

Arthur Penhallow the most famous voice in Detroit Rock....

Arthur Penhallow (born December 20, 1943) legendary DJ in Detroit, Michigan who hosted afternoons on active rock station WRIF from 1970-2009.

 
Penhallow was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Before beginning his long tenure with WRIF, Art had toured with a band that played with the Mamas & the Papas, among others. Under the name "Cicero Grimes", he worked at WNRZ in Ann Arbor in 1970, and then moved to WRIF's predecessor, WXYZ-FM, which at the time was airing a syndicated progressive-rock format distributed by ABC called "Love".


Penhallow was one of the "Love" format's local announcers and stayed on as WXYZ-FM transitioned to an all-local air staff and moved from progressive rock to the then-new "album oriented rock" format as WRIF.

 Bob Seger and Arthur P

Penhallow's trademark is the saying of his name as "Arthur Penhallow, BABY", and the cry is one of WRIF's most popular bumper sticker slogans.



Penhallow regularly refers to himself as "Big Daddy Arthur P" or simply, "Big Daddy", as do others on the station. Penhallow played himself in the film The Upside of Anger.

  Arthur P

In January 2009, Penhallow's contract expired at WRIF and he was off the air for more than a month before finally releasing a statement on March 27, on his Facebook page saying: "It appears that my days in Detroit radio are over for now. Thanks for your support over the last 39 years....I shall return."

To be fair to all the greats of Detroit Rock Radio, we loved you all but Arthur P is the BIG DADDY.

5 comments:

jubber said...

Arthur p was the best i also remember him saying "its Figer time" in regards to Jeff Figer i will miss him i started listening to f m pretty much with him and WABX ALSO

Unknown said...

I grew up, listening to this guy.🤘

Anonymous said...

Great times in Detroit radio!

Anonymous said...

Arthur p the grand puba. I miss you very, very Butch.

Anonymous said...

Detroit Legend right there. Grew up listening to him all the time. That voice is unmistakable and not replicated by anyone else. He made WRIF what it was and an entire generation of listeners happy.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...