George Michael

Here in Philadelphia, George Michael will forever be remembered as one of the original WFIL, Famous 56, Boss Jocks. Coming to Philly in September of 1966, George stayed here until he replaced “Cousin Brucie” on WABC Radio in New York City. When the Famous 56 radio format was started, WFIL Radio poor ratings and Famous 56 went after WIBG, a station that ruled the marketplace with an almost 50% share.

What followed were eight years of the most exciting radio Philadelphia radio listeners have ever experienced. WFIL became the number one station in the summer of 1967, and along the way, was named the best top 40 stations in America.

Before arriving in Philadelphia, George Michael had worked as a promotion man for Motown, Scepter and other record labels while in college at St. Louis University. His radio career saw him serve as music director and evening DJ at WRIT in Milwaukee, WIL in St. Louis and KBTR in Denver. His arrival in Philadelphia was the beginning of the greatest days of his career.

George Michael
From a WFIL Promotional Leaflet
Early 1967

Under George's photo, the promotional leaflet said:

Radio listening in the early evening belongs to the Young Adult. As a group, they have strong interests, desires, and loyalities. They insist on knowing what's happening while it's happening. George Michael is tailor-made for this audience. He's the "much more music" man with a savvy for picking and playing the hits. He's a sports buff who knows virtually every college and high school coach, cheerleader, and star player from Trenton to Wilmington and from Reading to Atlantic City. His regular newspaper column carries the fast-breaking news from all corners of the entertainment industry. The key word for George Michael, then, is involement. The result has been instance acceptance and a strong rapport with listeners....

Michael was the music director at WFIL as well as the 6 to 10 pm disc jockey. He was named Billboard’s top radio personality several times, as well as picking up numerous awards as Music Director of the Year. He was nicknamed "King George" Michael because he "ruled" evening radio.

George Michael
at a local high school football game
(he was tossing out promotional WFIL footballs)
September 1970

In June of 1974, Michael, who was a bachelor father of three young children, met his future wife, Pat Lackman, who was working in the WFIL sales department. Lackman, who hailed from Broomall, Pa, entered television sports in 1975 and went on to win seven Emmy awards for her writing and producing.

In 1974, Michael did play-by-play for the Baltimore Orioles and turned down the opportunity to work for them full-time. Instead, he accepted a position as evening DJ (replacing Cousin Brucie) at WABC in New York, a position he held for the next six years. During that time, he also did play-by-play for the New York Islander, was a photographer for the Philadelphia Flyer, did “Speaking of Sports” fill in for Howard Cossell and was the weekend sports anchor for WABC-TV.

In 1980, he accepted the position of Sports Director for NBC-TV in Washington, DC where he still hosts several Emmy award winning sports show.

While Philadelphians may remember of George as a Boss Jock, the rest of the world will probably always think of George Michael as the legendary sportscaster who pioneered the sports highlight shows that fill the air waves today. Before there was EPSN, there was George Michael.

Originally called Sports Final in 1980, The Sports Machine went into syndication in 1984, and became the longest running locally produced show in the history of syndicated television.

George Michael
on the set of "The Sports Machine"
2005

Upon his arrival at NBC in April of 1980, Michael’s dynamic style brought a new energy to sportscasting that led NBC from fourth place in the ratings to a position of unprecedented dominance in the Nation’s Capitol. During his 27 years as Sports Director at NBC4 in Washington, Michael earned more than 40 Emmy Awards for excellence in broadcasting.

Many of his features on athletes spawned major motion pictures, such as his story on the tragic death of bullrider Lane Frost, which led to the creation of the movie, “Eight Seconds.” Michael helped produce that movie as well as playing an acting role. His feature on pitcher Jim Morris was the basis for the movie, “The Rookie.”

George Michael is the host of the award winning “Redskins Report,” “The Joe Gibbs Show” and “Full Court Press” with Tony Kornheiser, Michael Wilbon and David Dupree.

Michael and his wife, Pat Lackman, who won her seventh Emmy for sportswriting in 2007, live in Comus, Maryland where they have produced numerous World Champion Paint and Quarter horses.

From the official archives of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
WFIL Photos originally donated by Broadcast Pioneers member Roger Hendler
All other photos and bio originally donated by George Michael
© 2008, Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
All Rights Reserved

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