Many of the regions biggest names in radio and television descended on the Hilton Wednesday for the third annual Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame Gala Awards Ceremony.Twenty broadcasters were inducted into the Hall of Fame spanning decades and styles, but each having made a distinctive mark on the New England Media landscape.
In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, a Special Recognition Award was given to Al Sprague in honor of his long service as president of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association.The event was hosted by WBZ’s Jordan Rich.
“Massachusetts has a long and distinguished history in the development of electronic communication,” said Arthur Singer, president of the Hall of Fame, in a statement.“Through these annual inductions, the permanent exhibit at MassasoitCommunity College in Brockton, our archives, and an active website now being launched with this announcement, the work of the people who have provided all of us with so much information and entertainment will be honored and made available to the public.”
Included among the inductees were Charles Laquidara, the legendary rock radio DJ and host of the Big Mattress on WBCN, host of WGBH’s Greater Boston, Emily Rooney, and voice of the New England Patriots, Gil Santos.
“To be honored with a Hall of Fame induction for doing something I’ve loved my entire life if just gravy,” Santos said when receiving the award.
The day was marked with a tinge of sadness as one of the inductees, longtime Boston Bruins announcer Fred Cusick, passed away the day before the ceremony.The awards for Cusick and several other deceased inductees were accepted by family members.
The inductees were:
Fred Cusick, the voice of the Boston Bruins
Don Gillis, legendary sportscaster
Curt Gowdy, legendary sportscaster
Bill Hahn, TV pioneer, host, interviewer and innovator
Sonya Hamlin, the nation’s first nightly news cultural reporter and women’s movement trailblazer
John Henning, one of the most respected, distinguished TV news journalists in New England [WBZ]
Connie Jameson, TV personality
Charles Laquidara, legendary rock radio dj and activist from WBCN
Don Latulippe, prominent public affairs director, news director, and host
Arch MacDonald, WBZ TV’s first news anchor
Dave Maynard, 48-year WBZ radio and TV personality
Ed McDonnell (Major Mudd), host of the Major Mudd Show
Bill McGrath, former General Manager and Executive Vice President of radio station WHDH AM
Marjorie Mills, radio personality, Boston Herald columnist and socialite
Norm Nathan, one of the great personalities of Boston radio for more than 50 years
Allan Roberts, radio manager and multi-station CEO
Emily Rooney, host, newswoman and executive editor of WGBH TV’s Greater Boston
Al Tanger, renowned broadcast consultant and radio station owner
Len Zola, revered classical, jazz, and elevator music host
