Encyclopedia Of Detroit
McCarthy, J.P.
Detroit’s WJR-AM (760) still proclaims itself “the Great Voice of the Great Lakes,” but for more than 30 years that mantle belonged to one man: its morning monarch Joseph Priestly McCarthy. Clever, urbane, honey-voiced and an unabashed supporter of all things Detroit, “J.P.,” as he was known, was the dominant media personality of his era and the top-rated morning-drive host for most of his career.
He was born in New York City on March 22, 1936, moving with his family to Detroit at an early age. After attending the University of Detroit, he served in the U.S. Army where he began his broadcast experience. He worked at stations in Fairbanks, Alaska and Flint, Michigan before coming to Detroit’s WJR in 1956. Minus a few years at a San Francisco station, it was his home for the rest of his career. At first working both morning and evening shows he eventually came to host only the morning drive-time, and noon program, becoming the number one broadcaster in Detroit.
A master of the call-in format long before the proliferation of talk radio, his regular features like “What’s Bothering You?” “Winners and Losers of the Day” and “The Answer Man” became staples of morning airwaves. Widely regarded as one of the finest interviewers in America, McCarthy seemed to know everybody on a personal level; he was equally at ease with presidents and pop stars. For most of his years at WJR he also hosted the lunchtime interview program Focus, a platform that allowed his warm one-on-one style to shine through in long form conversations.
An avid golfer, boater and pro sports fan, he was also a tireless supporter of Detroit area charities, particularly the Police Athletic League. During his lifetime, he helped to raise more than $50 million for nonprofit causes. Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1992 – the first non-network broadcaster ever so honored – McCarthy also was a recipient of the prestigious Marconi Award and was named National Radio Personality of the Year four times.
He died of a rare and aggressive blood disorder on August 16, 1995 at the age of 62. Two days later, 28 radio stations in Detroit and Windsor observed a simultaneous minute of silence to honor a true broadcasting immortal.
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