Here's an e-mail from 2002 which we received from Dave Klahr who worked in our market some years ago. Dave, since writing us this e-mail has joined the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia as a member.

Greetings from South Florida! My career began in Philly at the roundhouse, WPVI-TV 6 (when it was WFIL-TV). My first real broadcast job was writing PSA's (Public Service Announcements) and answering phones for Al Meltzer's talk show on WFIL-AM before the rock hey days.

After a brief stint in the Navy, I returned in 1968 as Jerry Donahue's production assistant for WFIL-AM, and music librarian. Used to drive George Michael and the other Boss Jocks around at night in the orange 'Judge' (automobile) to local teen hangouts.

I was later given the opportunity to program WFIL-FM, Popular 102 which quickly became an FM success before FM arrived. It is arguable that I was among the first if not the first to program what became known as 'soft rock.' I transitioned the station to WIOQ, then due to an ownership change found myself in Boston programming WEEI-FM as a soft rock (station) for CBS. This was from 1972 until 1975 when I returned to Philly and launched WMGK-FM, "Magic" as its first program director.

The station went on the air from our old WPEN studios on Walnut Street on September 2, 1975 and was a huge success which was copied nationwide and is even today. Some of our old jingles and formatics are still heard around the country.

I left in 1979 to work for NBC in New York City as PD of WYNY-FM which went on to become the most listened to adult contemporary formatted FM (station) in the country at the time. Joined Jim Schulke, the famous beautiful music syndicator in 1981 to assist him in beginning an adult contemporary format.

After some time from 1983 to 1992 in South Jersey as station manager and part owner (of WVLT and WMIZ in Vineland), moved here to Miami as regional operations vice president for Metro Networks, the folks principally known for their traffic reporting service.

For my New Jersey years, I was a member of the Philly Broadcast Pioneers and enjoyed the lunches at 555 City Line Avenue and especially seeing many of my old friends and co-workers who it is nice to see are still involved.

Glad I found the website and will continue to check in. Say hello for me, and perhaps list me as one of yours, as my heart is still in Philly. Best to all! Dave Klahr

Broadcast Pioneers member Dave Klahr passed away of colorectal cancer on Thursday, August 3, 2006 at his home in Indialantic, Florida near Cape Canaveral with his family at his side.

Broadcast Pioneers member Dave Madden of KYW Newsradio filed this report on his station and e-mailed his script for use on this website.

ANCHOR: A longtime radio veteran...known for his work off the air...has passed on in Florida. KYW’s David Madden reports.

MADDEN: Programmer and station owner Dave Klahr succumbed to colorectal cancer Thursday at his home near Cape Canaveral. He was 61. Klahr pioneered light rock on Philadelphia radio...in the late 60's on then WFIL-FM...now Q-102. In the mid-70's...he started a niche format labeled "Magic" at WMGK...a format copied by stations from coast to coast. Veteran programmer (and member of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia) Dean Tyler remembers.

TYLER: It was just a phenomenon that just took the city and the country by storm almost.

MADDEN: Klahr co-owned a Vineland, New Jersey AM/FM combo for a decade before taking over a traffic service in Miami in 1992. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. David Madden, KYW Newsradio.

Adam Gaynor, a visitor to our website e-mailed:

I just wanted to express my sadness on the untimely passing of Dave Klahr. He was always a class act and the best to work for in my thirty years in broadcasting.

I also wanted to add that Dave put WBNJ, in Cape May Courthouse on the air and made it number one in the market in less than six months. I don't think anyone could make that claim, and knowing Dave, he would never brag about it. Lets not forget the many WFIL 56 record albums he produced that gave Delaware Valley teens hours of great entertainment.