Today, the Living Legends Foundation celebrates New England, paying tribute to the
Black radio stations that helped define & elevate the culture.
In 1958, WILD (AM) emerged as the authoritative voice of Black New England after
owner Nelson Noble shifted the station toward jazz, R&B, soul, and community-centered public affairs. At a time when few outlets reflected Black life in Boston, WILD became more than a station—it was an institution.
WILD’s local flavor came from dynamic personalities such as Jimmy “Early” Bird and “Wildman Steve” Gallon, while its newsroom operated as a de facto Black newspaper on the air—delivering news, commentary, and information often ignored by mainstream media. One of its most entrepreneurial pioneers was Fred LeBlanc a/k/a Skippy White. With no prior broadcast experience, he pitched Noble a late-night R&B show—and arrived with sponsors already secured: a jazz club, a laundromat, and a neighborhood variety store. For the fourth sponsor, he bet on himself, opening his first record shop, Mass Records. Launching with a two-hour Saturday night program (later expanded to Sundays), he adopted the on-air name “Skippy White,” broke local acts through his WILD label imprint, promoted concerts and created a powerful synergy between radio and his growing chain of Skippy White record stores.
In 1972, Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation acquired WILD, followed by local owner H. Kendall Nash in 1980, who solidified its urban format from studios in Roxbury. Under Program Director and morning host Elroy Smith, the station sharpened its reputation as a “leader station.” Smith famously premiered “Candy Girl” by New Edition after receiving the record directly from producer Maurice Starr and group member Ricky Bell—making WILD the first commercial station to spin the track. Heavy listener requests and industry buzz helped propel the song nationally, reinforcing WILD’s influence well beyond Boston, often breaking records before major markets like New York or Philadelphia. Another future industry leader, Stephen Hill, served as program director and air personality before going on to shape programming at BET and MTV Networks.
Morning drive energy came from “Coach” Willie Maye, whose sports-infused commentary and signature line—“I’m Coach Willie Maye, and you’re not”—made him a standout. Other beloved voices included JoJo “Cookin” Kincaid, Kandi Eastman, Jimmy Myers, Butterball Jr., and Cherry Bomb Martinez. After the station was sold to Urban One in 2000, WILD ended its R&B format in 2005, closing a defining chapter in Boston radio history.
In New Haven, WYBC—licensed to Yale University as its first commercial radio station—used the flexibility of college radio to spotlight Black music and public affairs programming. Broadcasting on AM 1340 and FM 94.3, WYBC served both students and the broader community, offering aspiring Black broadcasters a professional training ground. Today, WYBC-AM carries public radio programming from Sacred Heart University, while WYBC-FM programs urban adult contemporary music and continues as a Yale student-operated online station at wybc.com.
In Hartford, WKND made history in 1969 when The KND Corporation purchased the AM station and flipped it to an R&B format amid racial unrest, becoming Connecticut’s first outlet specifically targeting the African American community. In 1981, minority-owned Hartcom Inc. acquired WKND, reaffirming its commitment to community advocacy. During an era marked by activism, the Black Panthers provided free breakfast programs, police patrols, and student protests at Weaver High School and WKND provided a platform for North End voices addressing police brutality, poverty, and civil rights. Its blend of music and community dialogue amplified local concerns and reflected the urgency of the times.
On March 16, 2001, WZMX transformed the regional dial by launching “Hot 93.7,” a rhythmic contemporary format built around hip-hop and R&B. As the first urban-leaning FM station of its kind in the Hartford market, it quickly rose to the top of the ratings across Hartford, New Haven, and Springfield—often holding the #1 position despite evolving competition. Popular air personalities have included husband-and-wife team Jonathan Monk and Diana Kelly, Ron O, Donna Rose, Neil Jackson, Ted Dalaku, and Danny Wright, with programming direction from Herb Crowe. Longtime morning host DJ Buck is their program director today.
If you have memories of these or other New England stations, please share them in the comments.
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