John Debella
Encyclopedia
John DeBella is an American
DJ in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
on 102.9 WMGK-FM
. He was born in Queens, New York.
. During that time he befriended singer Joan Jett
and received a gold record for his efforts in promoting Jett's chart-topping hit "I Love Rock and Roll".
He became famous in Philadelphia as part of WMMR
's Morning Zoo
, along with former WLIR co-alumnus Mark "The Shark" Drucker. He was number one in the morning ratings through most of the 1980s and was a popular figure in the city of Philadelphia before being overtaken by "The Howard Stern Show. Every year he would host the "DeBella DeBall" and was very popular with rock music fans. DeBella's favorite musician was Peter Gabriel
and he enjoyed discussing Gabriel's many hits on the air. Throughout the mid 1980s, DeBella did on-air promos for the morning and afternoon cartoon blocks on WTAF Channel 29.
In 2002, he returned to radio hosting, working with WMGK
. His show runs from 6:00am to 9:00am. The show features news and traffic by his cohost Jen Posner and the goofy antics of the two are accompanied by producer Rob Calvert. The show is not only a talk format but also plays a number of classic rock songs throughout the morning including a 'Breakfast with the Beatles' segment from 7:10 until 7:20am. Additional appearances by Bill Henley, local NBC affiliate meteorologist at 7:05am and comedian Grover Silcox from appr. 8:00-8:45am every Thursday. The show almost always closes with the song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
" by Eric Idle
of Monty Python
fame. (Both 'Breakfast with the Beatles' and "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" Ending the show were also staples of his WMMR show.) John Debella then closes out his broadcast with "Have a great day Philadelphia. Don't take any crap from anybody."
In "tribute" to DeBella, the staff of WMGK (and at one time, the staff of WMMR when DeBella worked there) refers to the Delaware Valley
, the Philadelphia Metropolitan area that comprises their listenership, as the "DeBellaware Valley".
At the end of June, 2007, Giant Brian left The John DeBella Show to host his own morning show in Atlanta. He was replaced in late 2007 by Rob Calvert.
president Steve Sabol.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
DJ in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
on 102.9 WMGK-FM
WMGK
WMGK, known as "Classic Rock 102.9 MGK" or "Philadelphia's Classic Rock: 102.9 MGK", is a Classic rock formatted radio station which is broadcast in the Philadelphia area. The station features popular Philadelphia radio personality John DeBella and former Howard Stern Show censor Andre Gardner. ...
. He was born in Queens, New York.
Career
Before arriving in Philadelphia, DeBella did a stint at WLIR-FM Garden City. In the early '80s he hosted The DeBella Travesty and helped to introduce the Dare to be Different new wave format on WLIRWLIR
WLIR-FM is a Christian radio station as part of the WLIX Voice of Hope Radio Network. WLIR-FM broadcasts in the Hamptons-Riverhead area. Its transmitter is currently located near East Quogue, New York....
. During that time he befriended singer Joan Jett
Joan Jett
Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
and received a gold record for his efforts in promoting Jett's chart-topping hit "I Love Rock and Roll".
He became famous in Philadelphia as part of WMMR
WMMR
WMMR is an active rock radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, broadcasting at 93.3 MHz FM. The station is owned by Greater Media....
's Morning Zoo
Morning zoo
Morning zoo is a format of morning radio show common to English-language radio broadcasting. The name is derived from the "wackiness and zaniness" of the activities, bits, and overall personality of the show and its hosts...
, along with former WLIR co-alumnus Mark "The Shark" Drucker. He was number one in the morning ratings through most of the 1980s and was a popular figure in the city of Philadelphia before being overtaken by "The Howard Stern Show. Every year he would host the "DeBella DeBall" and was very popular with rock music fans. DeBella's favorite musician was Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
and he enjoyed discussing Gabriel's many hits on the air. Throughout the mid 1980s, DeBella did on-air promos for the morning and afternoon cartoon blocks on WTAF Channel 29.
In 2002, he returned to radio hosting, working with WMGK
WMGK
WMGK, known as "Classic Rock 102.9 MGK" or "Philadelphia's Classic Rock: 102.9 MGK", is a Classic rock formatted radio station which is broadcast in the Philadelphia area. The station features popular Philadelphia radio personality John DeBella and former Howard Stern Show censor Andre Gardner. ...
. His show runs from 6:00am to 9:00am. The show features news and traffic by his cohost Jen Posner and the goofy antics of the two are accompanied by producer Rob Calvert. The show is not only a talk format but also plays a number of classic rock songs throughout the morning including a 'Breakfast with the Beatles' segment from 7:10 until 7:20am. Additional appearances by Bill Henley, local NBC affiliate meteorologist at 7:05am and comedian Grover Silcox from appr. 8:00-8:45am every Thursday. The show almost always closes with the song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is a popular song written by Eric Idle that was originally featured in the 1979 film Monty Python's Life of Brian and has gone on to become a common singalong at public events such as football matches as well as funerals.-History:Whilst trying to come up...
" by Eric Idle
Eric Idle
Eric Idle is an English comedian, actor, author, singer, writer, and comedic composer. He was as a member of the British comedy group Monty Python, a member of the The Rutles on Saturday Night Live and author of the play, Spamalot....
of Monty Python
Monty Python
Monty Python was a British surreal comedy group who created their influential Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series...
fame. (Both 'Breakfast with the Beatles' and "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" Ending the show were also staples of his WMMR show.) John Debella then closes out his broadcast with "Have a great day Philadelphia. Don't take any crap from anybody."
In "tribute" to DeBella, the staff of WMGK (and at one time, the staff of WMMR when DeBella worked there) refers to the Delaware Valley
Delaware Valley
The Delaware Valley is a term used to refer to the valley where the Delaware River flows, along with the surrounding communities. This includes the metropolitan area centered on the city of Philadelphia. Such educational institutions as Delaware Valley Regional High School in Alexandria Township...
, the Philadelphia Metropolitan area that comprises their listenership, as the "DeBellaware Valley".
At the end of June, 2007, Giant Brian left The John DeBella Show to host his own morning show in Atlanta. He was replaced in late 2007 by Rob Calvert.
Community activism
Every spring, DeBella sponsors an annual Dog-Walk in Fairmount Park, the largest park within city limits in the country. He also heads the annual "MGK Turkey Drop," held every year two days before Thanksgiving, where listeners are encouraged to drop off turkeys or cash donations to a number of pre-advertised drop-off points. In 2006 alone, the event collected over 6,000 turkeys. Every December 7, a 'date which will live in infamy,' John DeBella hosted his annual DeBella DeBall, a black-tie event that is reportedly the longest tradition in Philadelphia radio history. On December 7, 2006, the event celebrated its 25th anniversary.Personal life
DeBella is married to Lisa, a real estate agent and ex-wife of NFL FilmsNFL Films
NFL Films is a Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based company devoted to producing commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries on the National Football League, as well as other unrelated major events and awards shows...
president Steve Sabol.