8.15.2021

PETER CAVANAUGH LEGENDARY RADIO EXEC/PROMOTER HAS DIED


Sad news today we learned yesterday that National Radio Legend Peter C. Cavanaugh has passed away at the age of 79. Peter C. Cavanaugh, a Flint radio icon at WTAC from the sixties to the early eighties and the man who organized the Sherwood Forest concert series in Davison, is often credited with introducing Michigan and the rest of the country to the likes of The Who, Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, and The MC5.  

In addition to his career with WTAC-AM and WWCK-FM, Peter was the author of the book 'Local DJ.' The novel explores the culture of rock 'n roll, local radio, and highlights the author's personal spin on producing/promoting hundreds of rock concerts throughout the Midwest.


Peter was also the subject of a great film of his life also called Local DJ by DJ/Filmmaker Jim Baade a very close friend of Peter C.


“Local DJ - The Story of Flint Rock n' Roll” looks at the lesser-known, yet significant contributions Flint made to music. Lesser known to the rest of the world maybe, but in Michigan, we knew that this was a story that had to be made into a film by any means necessary -- and the only person to tell it was Peter C. Cavanaugh -- a Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame DJ and Promoter. 

The stories are legendary and the film's riveting look at 50 years of music and culture flow within this 141-minute documentary. However, keep in mind, this is more than a story about a man and his city, but a motion picture for a generation of baby boomers who were coming of age everywhere. - Jim Baade

View LOCAL DJ here:  
use the password 1234
Read the Book Local DJ HERE

Pete Cavanaugh was born to be in radio! He was the most joy-filled man when speaking of his love of rock and radio. He was not only a disc jockey but also a program/general manager, PR man extraordinaire, and a prolific concert promoter. Famous for producing the famous concerts at Mt. Holly Michigan. Read the list of bands from these shows HERE

Peter C. Cavanaugh on the air at WNDR in Syracuse, New York. 1959

At the age of sixteen in 1957, Peter C. Cavanaugh enjoyed a fifty-eight percent total audience share on his hometown station, WNDR in Syracuse, New York. Decades later, he’s written a book about his adventures ever since, promoting and producing literally hundreds of early concerts with the likes of Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, Kiss, and so on, as well as running a seven-station radio group which included the top-rated Rock ‘n’ Roll stations in America. 

“Of all who had a major influence on me while growing up in the Midwest, none matched the audaciousness, tenacity, and gonzo-like behavior of Peter Cavanaugh. He was more than just the rock ‘n roll guru who gave America its first encounters with The Who, Bob Seger, and all the great Detroit bands (Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, MC5, etc.) He was the one who taught me how to go up against the powers-that-be and live to tell all.

Thank you, Peter Cavanaugh, for saving a generation of Flint kids from the likes of Pat Boone”

MICHAEL MOORE -"Stupid White Men", "Bowling For Columbine", "Fahrenheit 9/11"/"SiCKO"


In 2011 Peter was honored by the Cleveland Rock n Roll Hall of Fame


Peter Cavanaugh lived life to the very fullest and will be missed by his wife, daughters, and legions of friends and fans. We end with that last quote from Peter's Blog:

I now take leave with these closing words from “Local DJ” – a memoir recounting my sordid days in early Rock & Roll Radio.

These are troubled times.

Love your family.

Support local radio friends.

Play your music loud and hard.

Trust yourself any time you choose.

Peter Cavanaugh

No comments:

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...