Boston Radio: Carter Alan to Retire from WZLX After 47 Years

WZLX's Carter Alan (Boston Globe photo)

Carter Alan, the longtime midday host on Boston’s 100.7 WZLX, will retire after a 47-year career on the city’s airwaves, iHeartMedia Boston announced Monday.

Alan will continue hosting his weekday show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until his final broadcast on Friday, Dec. 18. WZLX program director Chris Tyler will take over the midday slot following his departure.

Started At WBCN

Alan began his career at WBCN, where he spent 19 years as a DJ and music director. During that time he helped launch the Rock ’n’ Roll Rumble and is widely credited with introducing U2 to American radio by playing the band’s “I Will Follow” in 1980. He joined WZLX in 1998 and has spent the past 28 years as an assistant program director and midday host.

“After 47 remarkable years in Boston radio at WZLX and WBCN, it’s time for my boot heels to be wanderin’!” Alan said in a statement. “Retirement means no schedule and staying up as long as I want — I’m ready for that!”

His retirement ends a nearly five-decade run that bridged the free-form album-rock era and the classic-hits format, during which he helped shape the soundtrack of Boston radio for multiple generations of listeners.