The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

Kevin Fennessy was born in Philadelphia in the Olney section and raised in Levittown, Pa. At a very early age, Kevin decided that broadcasting would be his chosen profession.

He lived that dream for close to 50 years. At age 10, Kevin had his own radio station in his bedroom that had a signal that reached about three houses away.

Starting as a volunteer at Mt. Holly's WJJZ-AM, he hosted a daily 2-hour TV show on Cable in Lower Bucks County, did weekends at WAAT, Trenton, while attending Bishop Egan High School. In his junior year at Woodrow Wilson High School in Levittown, Kevin was also working in Trenton as an afternoon drive personality on WTTM.

At the same time, he was hosting a teen dance show on Lower Bucks County Cabelvision TV. Upon graduation from High School, in 1972, Kevin was hired full time at WPEN working with some of Philadelphia's all time radio legends. Kevin hosted evenings until the station was sold to Greater Media.

In his lifetime, Kevin worked at close to 80 radio stations across the country as an on air talent, Program Director, Sales Manager, General Manager and Owner.

In Philadelphia, Kevin worked for WPEN, WIOQ, WFIL, WIFI, Eagle 106, WCAU-FM and WPGR. Kevin also worked around the eastern United States including, WAMS, Wilmington, and was Production Director at WCAO Baltimore, WHAM Rochester, WKBO Harrisburg and WKBW Buffalo.

Kevin also was an avid collector of radio jingles, airchecks and commercials, which he would gladly share with his friends.

Kevin Fennessy returned to Philadelphia in 1986 as Program Director of WFIL Radio, arriving in the middle of the station's 20th Anniversary promotion and hosting AM Drive.

When LIN Broadcasting sold WFIL to WEAZ Incorporated the following year, he returned to Wilmington and WAMS, later accepting an assignment in Rochester, and wanting to own and operate stations, spent 5 years selling or managing sales in Atlantic City, most of that time with WFPG. Over the next 15 years, he would sell, run stations, or go back into programming and do on air work.

In 1998, he founded Fennessy Broadcasting Stations Corporation, built and operated two radio stations from sign on to divestiture, returned to performing at WMCA in New York for Salem Communications.

Kevin lived breathed and loved radio. He often said that radio wasn’t a job, it was a way of life. Kevin retired in 2015 to Jensen Beach, Florida, but still continued to interact with his radio friends daily. In addition, Kevin is the image voice for several radio stations including WNPV-AM in Lansdale.

Kevin passed away August 19th 2017 at the age of 63 due to complications from a stroke. He is survived by his wife Joanne, his son Kevin Fennessy Jr., daughter Nicole Lombardi, brothers Rich Fennessy, Ed Fennessy, and his sister Maureen Hobbs.

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com