TV and newspapers: Detroit media history
The Detroit Free Press has been publishing since the mid-19th century.
Detroit radio legend Doug “Doc of Rock” Podell is retiring after a 50-year career in broadcasting.His final afternoon drive show on 106.7 WLLZ Detroit Wheels will be on December 5.Podell is known for his significant impact on Detroit’s rock scene and for helping launch “The Howard Stern Show” in Cleveland.Throughout his career, he has been a passionate advocate for local musicians and charitable causes.
A Detroit radio legend will soon sign off for the last time.
This week, iHeartMedia Detroit announced the upcoming retirement of Doug “Doc of Rock” Podell from 106.7 WLLZ Detroit Wheels. After 50 years in broadcast radio, Podell will end his weekday 2-7 p.m. afternoon drive show on Dec. 5.
Podell, a legendary figure in Detroit rock radio, leaves behind a lasting legacy that defined the city’s sound and spirit.
He first hit Detroit’s airwaves in 1975 at 99.5 WABX, later moving to 106.7 WWWW (W4) and then 92.5 KQRS in Minneapolis. In the 1980s, Podell became program director and on-air personality at 98.7 WLLZ, shaping the station’s identity and securing its place in Detroit’s rock history.
His career continued in Cleveland at 98.5 WNCX, where he served as operations manager and afternoon host, driving the station to a No. 1 ranking and introducing Howard Stern to a major new market. Returning to Detroit in 1995, Podell joined 101.1 WRIF, where he helped launch the iconic “Drew & Mike Show” and spent 15 years as operations manager, producing major events and revolutionizing the city’s rock morning format.
From 2009 to 2017, Podell was a familiar voice on 94.7 WCSX and later appeared on 93.1 WDRQ. For more than two decades, he also hosted Westwood One’s “Live in Concert,” bringing national rock performances to millions of listeners across the country.
“Doug Podell is a Detroit original,” said Casey Krukowski, program director for iHeartMedia Detroit’s 106.7 WLLZ. “His passion for music, deep connection with listeners, and commitment to radio excellence have left a lasting mark — not only on this station, but on generations of Detroit rock fans. We are honored that he chose to conclude his legendary run right here at WLLZ.”
Podell told the Free Press the timing feels right for retirement.
“Fifty years kind of creeps up on you,” he said. “You don’t get a lot of extra points for 51 or 52, you know? I just turned 73 today, as a matter of fact. My wife had some health issues this year, and it kind of took me back a little bit. She’s doing absolutely great now, but it kind of made me reflect a little bit on radio life and real life. So I think the timing works out pretty good. When iHeart called me, I never expected that we’d still be here seven years later. I’m pretty happy with it, and they have been absolutely fantastic in letting me retire on my own terms.
“I started out working in current radio stations, but over the last 20 years or so, it’s been ‘classic rock.’ I’ve been an operations manager, I’ve been a music director, but my first and true love has always been on the air and interacting with the listeners, going out to events. It’s who I am, and it’s what I do.”
Early days with Howard Stern
Looking back on major moments in his career, Podell shared a few, including a peak experience with now-legendary shock jock Howard Stern back in the early days of their careers. Stern moved to Detroit in 1980 and spent two years with WWWW; during that time, he developed and refined the no-holds-barred, in-your-face style that would later earn him nationwide fame.
“When I was in Cleveland, we were the third affiliate for The Howard Stern Show, and we went number one in Cleveland with Howard Stern on a small station that, when I took it over, was in 21st place. I knew Howard from Detroit, and later we connected when he started his syndication, and I think that was truly one of the biggest highlights of my career.
“I’ve also had some good ones where we’ve done benefits for Vietnam veterans. One was called Guitar Army; it was maybe one of the biggest local music events that has happened in Detroit. And also releasing over the course of 30 years five local music albums called Motor City Rocks, all with WLLZ. I’ve had some highlights, no question about it, and those are a few of them.”
And what’s next for Podell?
“I haven’t really put too much thought into that,” he said. “People have asked me, ‘What are you going to do now?’ I think when you’ve done 50 years, you’re not really striving to do anything else that you’ve missed. But I do have a lot of memorabilia, and I think I’m going to do some record shows and some sports shows, and I think I’m just going to relax and enjoy some concerts and maybe do some traveling.
“In my free time, I have enjoyed collecting vinyl records, 45s. Collecting has been a big part of my life over the years, so I’ll probably continue to do that. But, at the same time, I’ve got to kind of thin the herd a little bit, so I’ll be having a big sale soon!”
Podell said his prized possession is autographs from all four Beatles.
“I met Ringo and Paul, and was able to get their autographs in person,” he said, “and I have a very special John Lennon autograph from the ‘Hard Day’s Night’ era.”
Expect to hear the Romantics, the Rockets and Queensrÿche on his way out
Will The Beatles turn up in his farewell show?
“I love The Beatles,” he said, “but we don’t really play The Beatles. I was thinking of the song ‘Silent Lucidity’ by Queensrÿche; that has a lot of deep inner meaning for me, and it’s very possible that it could either be my opening song or my last song on my last day, which is December 5. And there’s Motor City music, bands like The Rockets and The Romantics and Bitter Sweet Alley. I’d like to play some local music as I head out the door, and I think they’re going to give me the range to do that. So it’s going to be fun.”
Podell’s fierce passion for supporting and highlighting local musicians remains at the heart of his mission.
“It’s harder today to find an opening for the local music,” he said. “And now, every hour is so important in the world of ratings that you have to be willing to sacrifice some time and space for local bands to get their footing and get their music off the ground. I hope it continues. There aren’t many outlets anymore, but maybe that’s something that I’ll work on myself – maybe eventually do a podcast or something like that around local music.
“In almost every year that I’ve been on the radio, it has been important to me to have or help present a show to help our musicians who are having health failure. A lot of them don’t have insurance, and over the course of my career, I’ve helped many of them through fundraisers. I was even honored with a humanitarian award by the Detroit Music Awards, which was incredible. I’ve gotten a lot of awards over the years, but that one was pretty special.”
Podell will remain on-air with his regular afternoon drive show right up through Dec. 5 so that listeners can celebrate his legacy and soak up a few more weeks of great hand-picked tunes.
“I’m just excited to start my new adventure,” he said. “It’s a little melancholy the more I think about it, but I’m excited to take the next step.”