Rocky Allen obit

Radio Remembers Rocky Allen

 

He was not on the list.

Former WPLJ New York afternoon host Rocky Allen died on Wednesday, June 3 at the age of 72 after a bout with cancer.

After a brief stint in mornings at the station in 1990, Allen hosted “The Rocky Allen Showgram” with longtime producer/co-host Blaine Eisley at WPLJ from in afternoons 1993 to 1998 and again from 2005 to 2008. He also spent fifteen months in mornings at Talk 770 WABC New York in 1999 and 2000. Allen also hosted mornings at WPRO-FM Providence, WKSE Buffalo, and WDVD Detroit. A native of St. Louis, Allen began his career there at “HitRadio 103” KHTR.

Allen previously hosted shows in Providence (1991–1993), Detroit, St. Louis, Buffalo, and Dayton.

Allen's well-traveled career is best known for his streaks on New York radio station WPLJ, where he hosted an afternoon-drive show from 1993 until 1998, and again beginning in September 2005 until February 2008.

During his first run on the station, Allen underwent a series of surgeries beginning in October 1996 to remove calcium deposits believed to be the cause of persistent back pain. Allen was partially paralyzed following the surgeries, and required the use of a wheelchair. In October 1997, after a year of not being able to walk, doctors advised Allen to undergo full-time rehab which they said might be the only way for him to be able to walk again. This prompted Allen to go on a five-month leave of absence from radio, after which he was able to walk freely.

In January 1999, Allen made an unsuccessful move to WPLJ sister station WABC. The move was designed to complement WABC's non-political morning talk lineup of Art Bell and Laura Schlessinger. The show never matched its afternoon ratings success, and was replaced 15 months later by Curtis and Kuby, who had vacated the morning show on the station to make room for Allen.

Allen proceeded to host the morning show on WDVD, Detroit in 2001. He was joined by Blain Ensley in 2002. Ensley had previously served as co-host on the Sports Guys.

Allen and Ensley returned to WPLJ on September 20, 2005, nearly seven years after leaving the station. The show placed 15th among listeners ages 12-and-over in the Spring 2006 Arbitron book.

In a cost-cutting measure by WPLJ's parent company Citadel Broadcasting, the Rocky Allen Showgram was cancelled on February 29, 2008. Race Taylor, who was bumped to midday by the return of Allen, returned to the afternoon drive with a music-only format.

Allen briefly resurfaced in 2008 doing weekend sports talk on WEPN.