The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

Member Don Cannon
official WOGL Photo
2000

"Dean of Philadelphia Morning Radio," Broadcast Pioneers member Don Cannon woke up the Delaware Valley every weekday, plus local news, weather, traffic, sports and the latest in entertainment news for years for decades.

Singer Janis Ian and Member Don Cannon
WIBG Radio
circa 1970

Don had been doing morning radio in Philadelphia since 1969, and was the morning man on WOGL from 1990 until his retirement in 2004! He began his career with WIBG and has also been heard on WIP, WFIL, WIFI, and WSNI. In the eighties, Don was program director of WSNI and WPGR.

Year round, Don worked with hundreds of charities throughout the region and was awarded the March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. In his spare time Don enjoyed a good game of golf. Don was also the host of "Inside Golf" which could be seen every Saturday nights Comcast Sports Net.

The original "Rocky" movie was a huge hit, and when Rocky's morning alarm clock goes off, it's the voice of Don Cannon that delivers his wake up call.

(left to right) Mr. and Mrs. Tom Lamaine, Valerie Knight and Don Cannon

Broadcast Pioneers member Gerry Wilkinson says:

Don was legend among legends. When you thought of morning drive, you had to think of Don Cannon. He was one of the good people in this industry. I can't remember a time when someone asked Don to do something and he couldn't or didn't do it. For decades, Don Cannon ruled the airwaves. Now heaven has a new morning drive air personality.

Broadcast Pioneers member Jerry Del Colliano, founder and former publisher of respected broadcasting trade publication "Inside Radio" and now editor of Inside Music Media said of Don: "I worked with Don and can tell you he is a unique talent. Don worked on so many major Philly radio stations and hosted many morning shows. That in and of itself is remarkable. It shows how talented he was. By being able to work the majority of your radio career in one market, you get to be loved and become an icon. That was Don Cannon." Read all his comments here!

Don was born on Thursday, May 23, 1940. His given name is Dominic Canzano and he and his wife live in the suburbs of Philadelphia and in Naples, Florida. He passed away on Friday, August 22, 2014. Don is survived by his wife Terri, two sons and two granddaughters. Terri and Don met in 1973 at a Variety Club telethon.

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