R.I.P.: Baltimore Radio Legend Johnny Dark

Johnny Dark

Johnny Dark, the radio personality who was on Maryland airwaves for more than half a century, has died.

Dark died early Thursday of a cause not yet known, according to employees of WTTR-AM, where he had most recently worked. He was 82, according to WBAL Radio.

Dark has been on Baltimore radio going back to the 1960s on stations including WCAO-AM. Most recently, he was on WTTR-AM in Westminster for several years, but resigned in January amid a management dispute.

During his long career, he crossed paths with and mentored a number of personalities still on Baltimore's airwaves, including Ron Matz, now of WJZ-TV, and WBAL NewsRadio 1090 reporter Brenda Carl.



"We throw the word 'legend' around, but he really was a radio legend, not just in Baltimore, but across the country," Matz said. "If you were a kid growing up in Baltimore in the 60s, you listened to Johnny Dark on the radio."

Two years ago, he celebrated his 80th birthday by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a Baltimore Orioles game.

"Johnny never had a big ego," Matz said. "He was just a regular guy and he really enjoyed the business."