*Sadly, EUR has learned that Joe Tamburro, a longtime Philadelphia black radio legend, passed away this morning. He was 70.
A report at Radio-Info.com says he was in the hospital and had just had surgery for a diabetes-related illness:
“Butter,” as he was most commonly known to friends and peers, was heard on Clear Channel Urban AC WDAS-FM until his recent illness, but was still and active member of the staff there.
He started career at WDAS-AM in 1964, as a sales person, but quickly won his way on the air and became a house-hold name. He later became PD, which he served as for both the AM, and later WDAS-FM, when it launched as an Urban station in 1971.
Tamburro is being remembered by his fans and friends at WDASFM.Com.
Here’s what the founders of Philadelphia International Records, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, had to say about the passing of the beloved Butterball Tamburro.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of the greatest disc jockeys and radio personalities in music radio history,” said Gamble & Huff in a joint statement. “Joe ‘Butterball’ Tamburro was a class act in radio and the music business, and he was an icon here in Philadelphia. Butterball had a major impact and influence in picking many of the radio hits for our PIR label. More importantly, Butterball was a part of the Gamble-Huff Organization family. He will always be remembered and respected in our hearts and minds forever. There will never be another R&B and soul radio legend like Butterball.”
Gamble & Huff further saluted Joe “Butterball” Tamburro as “a good man who was loved and respected by everybody in Philadelphia and around the nation.
“He had great love for R&B and soul music and a special love for the Sound of Philadelphia. More importantly, we thank him for being one of the pioneers in promoting the Philly Dance and Music scene for the nation and world to enjoy. We send our most sincere condolences to his dear wife Cynthia and family. Butterball was our dear friend and will be truly missed.”
Meanwhile, check out the saucy “Butterball Rap” that Butter did back in 2009. It was posted on YouTube just a week ago by a Mr. Woody Johnston.
Props to record industry maven Pat Shields for hipping us to the “Butterball Rap.”
I’m so sorry to hear about Joe. I thought he was well or getting better.
Back in the pre internet day ,there were certain STATIONS that were in a class by itself musically, when you were visiting that town you had to check that station out or have someone send you a cassette if you couldn’t get there.
In San Fran KRE(now KBLX) DC WHUR(Howard University Radio) w/ the late Melvin Lindsey, DC NY had the Frankie Crocker programmed WBLS, LA (Rod McGrew and later Lawrence Tanter programmed KJLH), and in Philly it was Georgie Woods and Joe Butterball Tamburro at WDAS.These guys knew what sounded good and helped the record labels immensely.They weren’t concerned with hits,they played what sounded good,music with positive messages and guess what they became hits.They helped make the hits and the artists.
THEY PLAYED A VARIETY of music soul,blues,gospel,salsa,reggae,poetry and jazz.
These were the guys who helped make the music sound so good we still listen to it, 30-40 years later,way before we got the same tired songs over and over again.
Butterball helped so many artists because if it got played in Philly then NY might play it although Frankie didnt need help and once NY played it everybody else did .Butter played an important role helping Gamble and Huff make the Sound of Philadelphia known worldwide, he might have even worked for them,I’m not sure.
Radio was local back then, so outside of their respective towns, these guys were not well known,but in their cities,to paraphrase Frankie,if they weren’t on your radio,your radio wasn’t really on.Philly has a strong radio history and WDAS and Butter contributed heavily to it.
Butter was such a nice guy,I met him twice , he was so cool , a true gentleman. RIP.