R.I.P.: Iconic Boston Personality Dale Dorman

Dale Dorman

Dale Dorman, a Boston radio legend who began his career playing top 40s hits in the 1960s and 1970s, and then played the same songs as oldies to the rock 'n roll generation, died last Tuesday, according to WVCB-TV5.

Dorman, 71, of Tewksbury, died at home after a long illness.  A private service for family and friends was held Friday.

Dorman developed a taste for radio when growing up in Homer, New York, where he used to hangout around stations near him.

Spending a few years in high school learning how everything worked in the industry, he would do anything he could to get his foot in the door.

Finding a radio station that needed help right away, Dorman said “no” when was asked if he had a demo tape. He did, however, know how to work the equipment, went on the air for about 20 minutes and was hired on the spot. Forty-six years later, Dorman was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2010.



Dorman’s first major radio gig was in San Francisco, at the famous 610 KFRC. Later, Dale would begin a more than 40 year run in Boston, doing wakeups at WRKO, then on to Fairbanks’ 105.7 WVBF which had then rebranded as Top 40 “F-105″. And after that, a 20 year stint in Mornings at WXKS-FM, “Kiss-108″ before going to WODS “Oldies 103.3″ Dorman retired in 2010.Dorman came to Boston in 1968, working at WRKO 680 AM for 10 years.

"Dorman is one of those jocks who made it big in the RKO chain of stations back when personality really mattered. Once the Morning Show host at WRKO in it’s top 40 heyday, Dorman also spent time doing West Coast top 40," KISS 108 wrote on its website.

His nickname, "Uncle Dale" was given to him by listeners when he was just 21. He was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2010

"He was considered a master craftsman with a gift for banter and a laser sharp wit. Yet, he made people feel that they knew him personally," his step-in daughter Denise Di Luca said.

Dale got his radio start in Norwich, NY at WCHN AM/FM. He did an afternoon rock show that was amazing for its time. The station owner hated rock and rock, so Dale was not on his Friend list."

"I met an up-and-coming programmer named Bill Drake, who turned out being pretty darned successful," Dorman once fondly recalled. "I sent him a tape and he hired me to work at KYNO. He taught me his style and formula and I absolutely loved it.  The central-New York State native candidly confessed he had absolutely no idea why he's been so successful in Boston. "I keep going to work every day and they're kind enough to keep me there. Its just turned into a career."

Tribute comments are available on Dorman's Facebook page:

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Dorman on KISS 108, Courtesy of Airchexx...