John Facenda
Encyclopedia
John Thomas Ralph Augustine James Facenda (August 8, 1913 – September 26, 1984) was an American
broadcaster
and sports announcer. He was a fixture on Philadelphia
radio
and television
for decades, and achieved national fame as a narrator for NFL Films
and Football Follies
. Through his work with NFL Films, Facenda was known by many NFL fans as "The Voice of God."
but dropped out. It has been speculated that this was for economic reasons, particularly because of the Great Depression
. After leaving school, he found employment with the now-defunct Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper
. The Public Ledger also owned a radio station, WHAT. Facenda's radio career began when the announcer for WHAT's Scholastic Sports Review program became sick one day, and Facenda was asked to substitute. Soon after, WHAT hired Facenda as an announcer.
Facenda left WHAT after the station's manager refused to reimburse Facenda $
5 (equal to $ today) for a pair of pigskin gloves he wore while knocking ice off the station's antenna (one of his duties). He moved to New York City
and worked for a few years as the program director for the Ticker News Service, another radio-based business.
He returned to Philadelphia in 1935 and started working for WIP Radio, where he would remain until 1952. He began his work in television at WCAU-TV, then the Philadelphia CBS
television affiliate, in 1948. His anchored his first newscast on the station on September 13, 1948. He started working full-time at the station after leaving WIP in 1952. Facenda ended his newscasts with the familiar refrain, "Have a nice night tonight and a good day tomorrow. Goodnight, all." The phrase even found its way into the 1956
film The Burglar
, starring Jayne Mansfield
and Dan Duryea
.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Facenda's was the dominant news broadcast in the Philadelphia area (beating the combined ratings of the two other network affiliates) and he achieved iconic status in Philadelphia as both a face and voice before his rise to national prominence. His newscasts, originally just five minutes long, were eventually expanded to 30 minutes. Facenda and WCAU TV pioneered the television news format as it is still practiced today: News-Sports-Weather.
Among Facenda's writers was John Du Bois, a noted newsman with the Philadelphia Bulletin
and County Press
.
, Facenda went to a local tavern, the RDA Club, which happened to be showing footage produced by NFL Films
. He enjoyed the slow-motion game sequences that were already an NFL Films trademark and would later recall:
Thus began Facenda's association with NFL Films, one that would continue until his death. Facenda narrated many highlight films during his career with the company. His dulcet baritone
was the perfect match for the highly dramatic nature of the footage he narrated, and earned him the nickname "The Voice of God
." Probably one of the best-remembered (and most frequently-quoted) examples of Facenda's NFL Films narration is something he never actually said: "the frozen tundra
of Lambeau Field
" was a quote the sportscaster Chris Berman made up, mimicking Facenda's voice when he said it. Steve Sabol, son of Ed, claimed that "John may have made a game seem more important than it was because he read lines with a dramatic directness" Bob Costas
called Facenda's voice "one of the most remarkable instruments in the history of broadcasting."
Facenda was at the pinnacle of his style in 1974
's "The Championship Chase" with his recitation of “The Autumn Wind
,” a football poem written by Steve Sabol, personifying fall weather:
The poem and its accompanying theme music have become an anthem of the Oakland Raiders
. It is also known as the "Battle Hymn of the Raider Nation
."
manner, in contemporary sports news, advertising, and even other sports-themed entertainment (for example, Green Day's
music video for the 1999 song
Nice Guys Finish Last
). Similarly, Facenda's voice is so closely associated with the NFL that in July 2006, Facenda's son filed a lawsuit against the NFL, claiming that Facenda's voice was used without permission in an NFL Network program promoting the video game Madden 2006.
A room in the internet virtual Professional Football History Museum is called "The Facenda Audio-Visual Room" in Facenda's honor.
) adopted the highly successful Action News
format based on the news broadcasts heard on Top 40 radio stations and heavily influenced by tabloid newspapers. Brief coverage was given to almost every event happening in town. WCAU's ratings collapsed, and (as was a common practice), network executives decided that they needed a younger anchor to complement the 60-year old Facenda. In 1972
, 27-year old Judd Hambrick
, was brought in as co-anchor. With the first wave of baby boomers entering broadcasting, Facenda graciously decided to step down and make way for the next generation. His last newscast as anchor for WCAU was on March 23, 1973. Many viewers were upset over the loss of Facenda and his retirement failed to improve ratings.
After stepping down as anchor, Facenda continued to work for WCAU in various capacities as a narrator, program director, and host of special reports. He was co-anchor for the station's coverage of Pope John Paul II
's visit to Philadelphia in 1979. He also for many years was the familiar voice of the John Wanamaker
department store Christmas Light Show. Twelve days before Facenda died, he was presented with the Governors Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Philadelphia chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
.
John Facenda died of lung cancer
on September 26, 1984 at the age of 71. His final voice-over work for NFL Films was the highlight film for Super Bowl XVIII
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
broadcaster
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
and sports announcer. He was a fixture on Philadelphia
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,...
radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
for decades, and achieved national fame as a narrator for NFL Films
NFL 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...
and Football Follies
Football Follies
Football Follies are collections of American football bloopers performed by National Football League players. Produced by NFL Films, these collections also spoof parts of popular culture. Mel Blanc joined in the fun in 1976 with The Son of Football Follies, and returned in 1989 for The Super Duper...
. Through his work with NFL Films, Facenda was known by many NFL fans as "The Voice of God."
Radio and television work
John Facenda attended Roman Catholic High School in center city Philadelphia and then later Villanova UniversityVillanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
but dropped out. It has been speculated that this was for economic reasons, particularly because of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. After leaving school, he found employment with the now-defunct Philadelphia Public Ledger newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
. The Public Ledger also owned a radio station, WHAT. Facenda's radio career began when the announcer for WHAT's Scholastic Sports Review program became sick one day, and Facenda was asked to substitute. Soon after, WHAT hired Facenda as an announcer.
Facenda left WHAT after the station's manager refused to reimburse Facenda $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
5 (equal to $ today) for a pair of pigskin gloves he wore while knocking ice off the station's antenna (one of his duties). He moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and worked for a few years as the program director for the Ticker News Service, another radio-based business.
He returned to Philadelphia in 1935 and started working for WIP Radio, where he would remain until 1952. He began his work in television at WCAU-TV, then the Philadelphia CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television affiliate, in 1948. His anchored his first newscast on the station on September 13, 1948. He started working full-time at the station after leaving WIP in 1952. Facenda ended his newscasts with the familiar refrain, "Have a nice night tonight and a good day tomorrow. Goodnight, all." The phrase even found its way into the 1956
1956 in film
The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by...
film The Burglar
The Burglar
The Burglar is a 1957 crime/thriller film released by Columbia Pictures, based on the 1953 novel of the same name by David Goodis .-Production background:...
, starring Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield was an American actress working both in Hollywood and on the Broadway theatre...
and Dan Duryea
Dan Duryea
Dan Duryea was an American actor, known for roles in film, stage and television.-Early life:Born and raised in White Plains, New York, Duryea graduated from White Plains Senior High School in 1924 and Cornell University in 1928. While at Cornell, Duryea was elected into the Sphinx Head Society...
.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Facenda's was the dominant news broadcast in the Philadelphia area (beating the combined ratings of the two other network affiliates) and he achieved iconic status in Philadelphia as both a face and voice before his rise to national prominence. His newscasts, originally just five minutes long, were eventually expanded to 30 minutes. Facenda and WCAU TV pioneered the television news format as it is still practiced today: News-Sports-Weather.
Among Facenda's writers was John Du Bois, a noted newsman with the Philadelphia Bulletin
Philadelphia Bulletin
For the 2004 resurrection of the Bulletin, see The Bulletin .The Philadelphia Bulletin was a daily evening newspaper published from 1847 to 1982 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was the largest circulation newspaper in Philadelphia for 76 years and was once the largest evening newspaper in the...
and County Press
County Press
The County Press is a weekly newspaper at 3732 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PennsylvaniaIts publisher is Richard Crowe. Its editor is Bill Lawrence.It was founded by Richard Crowe, Reese Crowe, Al Webb and William Lawrence Sr. Its first edition was Sept...
.
NFL Films
One night in 19651965 NFL season
The 1965 NFL season was the 46th regular season of the National Football League.Because the Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Colts ended up tied in the Western Conference standings after the regular season ended, a conference playoff game was held in Green Bay. Although the Packers had defeated the...
, Facenda went to a local tavern, the RDA Club, which happened to be showing footage produced by NFL Films
NFL 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...
. He enjoyed the slow-motion game sequences that were already an NFL Films trademark and would later recall:
Thus began Facenda's association with NFL Films, one that would continue until his death. Facenda narrated many highlight films during his career with the company. His dulcet baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
was the perfect match for the highly dramatic nature of the footage he narrated, and earned him the nickname "The Voice of God
Voice of God
The nickname "Voice of God" has been attributed to many people, including the following:* Bob Sheppard, public-address announcer for New York Yankees baseball games from 1951 to 2007 and for New York Giants football games from 1956 to 2005...
." Probably one of the best-remembered (and most frequently-quoted) examples of Facenda's NFL Films narration is something he never actually said: "the frozen tundra
Tundra
In physical geography, tundra is a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian тундра from the Kildin Sami word tūndâr "uplands," "treeless mountain tract." There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, alpine...
of Lambeau Field
Lambeau Field
Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field...
" was a quote the sportscaster Chris Berman made up, mimicking Facenda's voice when he said it. Steve Sabol, son of Ed, claimed that "John may have made a game seem more important than it was because he read lines with a dramatic directness" Bob Costas
Bob Costas
Robert Quinlan "Bob" Costas is an American sportscaster, on the air for the NBC network since the early 1980s.-Early life:...
called Facenda's voice "one of the most remarkable instruments in the history of broadcasting."
Facenda was at the pinnacle of his style in 1974
1974 NFL season
The 1974 NFL season was the 55th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl IX when the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings...
's "The Championship Chase" with his recitation of “The Autumn Wind
The Autumn Wind
“The Autumn Wind” is a sports-themed poem written by present NFL Films President and co-founder Steve Sabol describing the atmosphere autumn weather, as it relates to pro football season. It is synonymous with, and the unofficial team anthem of the NFL's Oakland Raiders, and is often heard blaring...
,” a football poem written by Steve Sabol, personifying fall weather:
The Autumn wind is a pirate
Blustering in from sea
With a rollicking song he sweeps along
Swaggering boisterously.
His face is weatherbeaten
He wears a hooded sash
With a silver hat about his head
And a bristling black mustache
He growls as he storms the country
A villain big and bold
And the trees all shake and quiver and quake
As he robs them of their gold.
The Autumn wind is a Raider
Pillaging just for fun
He'll knock you 'round and upside down
And laugh when he's conquered and won.
The poem and its accompanying theme music have become an anthem of the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. It is also known as the "Battle Hymn of the Raider Nation
Raider Nation
The Raider Nation is the unofficial name for the fans of the NFL's Oakland Raiders. They are particularly associated with a section of the Oakland Coliseum known as the 'black hole' which is usually occupied by rowdy fans...
."
Speaking style
To this day Facenda's speaking style remains the sound most closely linked with NFL Films, and, in some ways, football narration itself. The style is frequently emulated, often in a parodicParody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
manner, in contemporary sports news, advertising, and even other sports-themed entertainment (for example, Green Day's
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
music video for the 1999 song
1999 in music
-Events:*January 7**After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation.**Paul McCartney attends the first of his stepdaughter Heather's first housewares collection in Georgia....
Nice Guys Finish Last
Nice Guys Finish Last
"Nice Guys Finish Last" is a song by American punk rock band Green Day. It was released as the fourth and final single from their fifth album, Nimrod...
). Similarly, Facenda's voice is so closely associated with the NFL that in July 2006, Facenda's son filed a lawsuit against the NFL, claiming that Facenda's voice was used without permission in an NFL Network program promoting the video game Madden 2006.
A room in the internet virtual Professional Football History Museum is called "The Facenda Audio-Visual Room" in Facenda's honor.
End of anchorman career
In the early 1970s, rival WFIL-TV (now WPVI-TVWPVI-TV
WPVI-TV, channel 6, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. WPVI has its studios located on the border between Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd, and its transmitter is located in the...
) adopted the highly successful Action News
Action News
Action News is a local television newscast format in the United States. It was conceived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at WFIL-TV by then-news director Mel Kampmann in 1970 as a response to the "Eyewitness News" format used on rival station KYW-TV...
format based on the news broadcasts heard on Top 40 radio stations and heavily influenced by tabloid newspapers. Brief coverage was given to almost every event happening in town. WCAU's ratings collapsed, and (as was a common practice), network executives decided that they needed a younger anchor to complement the 60-year old Facenda. In 1972
1972 in television
The year 1972 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1972.For the American TV schedule, see: 1972-73 American network television schedule.-Events:...
, 27-year old Judd Hambrick
Judd Hambrick
Judd Hambrick is an American former Emmy-award winning television newscaster/reporter.Hambrick grew up in Mount Pleasant, Texas.- Career, accomplishments, and awards :...
, was brought in as co-anchor. With the first wave of baby boomers entering broadcasting, Facenda graciously decided to step down and make way for the next generation. His last newscast as anchor for WCAU was on March 23, 1973. Many viewers were upset over the loss of Facenda and his retirement failed to improve ratings.
After stepping down as anchor, Facenda continued to work for WCAU in various capacities as a narrator, program director, and host of special reports. He was co-anchor for the station's coverage of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
's visit to Philadelphia in 1979. He also for many years was the familiar voice of the John Wanamaker
John Wanamaker
John Wanamaker was a United States merchant, religious leader, civic and political figure, considered by some to be the father of modern advertising and a "pioneer in marketing." Wanamaker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Biography:He was born on July 11, 1838.He opened his first store in...
department store Christmas Light Show. Twelve days before Facenda died, he was presented with the Governors Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Philadelphia chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences or NATAS was created in 1955 to advance the arts and sciences of television. Headquartered in New York, NATAS's membership is national and the organization has local chapters around the country....
.
John Facenda died of lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
on September 26, 1984 at the age of 71. His final voice-over work for NFL Films was the highlight film for Super Bowl XVIII
Super Bowl XVIII
Super Bowl XVIII was an American football game played on January 22, 1984, at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida, deciding the National Football League champion following the 1983 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Los Angeles Raiders defeated the National Football Conference...
.