Tom Shannon Remembered on Motor City Radio Flashbacks

WMJC | DATE: THURSDAY, MAY 1, 1986

In Memory of Tom Shannon

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He was a Detroit radio and television broadcasting legend. His voice was heard for over four decades on numerous great Detroit radio stations, such as CKLW, WJBK, WXYZ, WCAR, WMJC, WTWR, CKMR, and WCXI. Tom once had said that he did (to paraphrase his exact words), “three ‘tours of duty’ at CKLW. ’60s, ’70s, and in the ’80s.”

He formally began his illustrious radio career as a news person, while in his teens, in Buffalo in 1955. He left Buffalo’s WKBW for CKLW in Windsor in December 1964, replacing Terry Knight.

After 50 years in radio (and television) and having been in multiple radio markets around the country, Tom Shannon retired from broadcasting radio in 2005. Tom’s last DJ stint was on WHTT-FM, Buffalo. He was 67 at the time.

Surrounded by his loving family, Tom Shannon died of pancreatic cancer while in hospice care, Wednesday, May 26, 2021. He was 82.

Tom Shannon is a member of the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.

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— Tom Shannon Remembered —

See: Susan Whitall’s published Detroit News article on Tom Shannon (May 27, 2021) GO HERE

Also: Tommy Shannon, Legendary Buffalo Broadcaster, Dies at 82 (The Buffalo News; May 27, 2021) GO HERE

Also: DJ Tom Shannon’s Cause of Death Relates to Long-Time Illness (US Day News; May 29, 2021) GO HERE

Also: A 1961 WKBW Tom Shannon aircheck (5 min.) from the Buffalo Broadcasters Association website, listen HERE

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— In Remembrance —

In observance of his passing last week, Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Motor City Radio Flashbacks will present three CKLW and one WMJC Tom Shannon audio memory beginning (Wednesday) June 2, (Thursday) June 3, (Friday) June 4, and today, (Saturday) June 5.

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Motor City Radio Flashbacks Remembers

— A Special Acknowledgement —

A special THANK YOU to MCRFB consultant/contributor Greg Innis of Livonia, Michigan, who personally recorded the featured aircheck in 1986.

The Greg Innis Collection

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The featured WMJC Tom Shannon aircheck was audio enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks