R.I.P.: Twin Cities, Philly Personality Dan Donovan

Dan Donovan, John Lennon

Dan Donovan

Twin Cities/Philadelphia radio legend Dan Donovan has died of a heart attack.

Born Blaine Harvey in Philadelphia, Donovan got interested in radio growing up in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He began his career there at WGET 1320 AM, later moving to WSBA 910 AM in York, Pennsylvania. After studying journalism at Penn State, he moved on to WICE Radio in Providence, Rhode Island, in the early 1960s. He then moved to WMEX  in Boston and WCBM 680 in Baltimore before beginning a ten-year run at WFIL 560 AM in Philadelphia.

He came to KSTP 94.5 FM KS 95FM in the Twin Cities in 1979, and joined KQQL 107.9 FM KOOL 108 FM in 1991, bringing the enthusiasm and style that have made him one of the region’s best known and best loved DJ’s to his popular afternoon drive and Sunday oldies shows.


DAN DONOVAN from Pavek Museum on Vimeo.

Donovan, who referred to himself as "the Geezer," was a radio veteran whose career dates back to the glory days of rock and roll.

Donovan last worked at Clear Channel's KQQL, but was RIFed in 2009.