In Memoriam
The Rochester Music Hall of Fame joins with the Greater Rochester community to mourn the passing of a Rochester radio legend. Beloved broadcaster Jack Palvino passed away on December 9, 2024 at the age of 90.
Jack was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame (RMHF) in 2013. Below is an excerpt from the official 2013 RMHF Induction Concert and Ceremony program, describing Jack’s ascendency to the pinnacle of radio broadcasting in Rochester.
Jack Palvino – Radio Broadcaster
Born: May 28, 1934
Birthplace: Rochester, NY
“Smilin’ Jack,” legendary host of WBBF’s Palvino In The Morning, transcended the title of “DJ.” His lighthearted persona and engaging sense of humor captivated Rochester radio listeners, and his musical programming became the soundtrack of their day – the morning wake-up call of Herb Alpert’s Taste of Honey,” the perennial break song, “Music to Watch Girls By,” and all the hits in between. Throughout the show “Engineer Donald” would mischievously insert one-liners he had clipped from comedy albums and elsewhere. Jack’s replies were priceless, and he never missed a beat or a laugh. For nearly two decades, his morning drive show reigned supreme.
Palvino graduated from St. John Fisher and studied law at UB for two years before realizing that radio was his true calling. In 1957, WSAY first introduced Jack to Rochester – “Jerry Jack” that is, or “Mac Maguire,” sometimes both in the same day. DJs came and went, but the names never changed. Presumably, the public was none the wiser. His next stop was WGVA Geneva, NY, before landing at WBBF in 1960.
In 1978 Palvino and partner Bud Wertheimer formed the Lincoln Group, which ultimately acquired ownership of eight radio stations. By the time the company was sold in 1996, the fortunes of the radio stations, and the partners, had been greatly enriched. Their management expertise was cited in the book, Radio In Search of Excellence. What words of wisdom would this award laden man offer, after dominating broadcasting from bottom to top? “Keep smiling, they’ll wonder what you’re up to.”