Johnstown Radio: Jack Michaels Retires At WKYE

Jack Michaels

Giving one last Top 10 list, Jack Michaels stepped away from the mic and said good-bye to a 49-year radio career, reports The Johnstown PA Tribune-Democrat.

Due to health issues, the Forever Media radio personality retired on Monday after spending 26 years hosting the morning show for WKYE KEY 96.5.

"This day is bittersweet and I know I'll be fighting back tears," said Michaels, a Johnstown resident. "To think when I started in 1971 and through all these years and here I am for the last time, it's pretty emotional."

Michaels started in the radio business in Coudersport, Potter County, before returning to the Johnstown area in 1973 to work at WCRO.

"I worked there for 10 years, and then we put KEY on the air in 1983," he said. "I'm the last original staff member of the radio station, so it's kind of an end of an era."

Michaels said much has changed in the business since he started.

"The technical evolution from records to cartridges to cassettes to CDs to computers is pretty amazing," Michaels said. "When we came on in the air in 1983, the CD hadn't been invented yet, and when it came out, it was like the greatest thing since sliced bread. We used to promote on the air that the upcoming song would be on CD."

Brian Wolfe, music director for Forever Media's Johnstown market and a midday radio personality, has taken over as the morning show host.