BPC remembers Tom Shannon, who passed away May 26, 2021 due to pancreatic cancer, he was 82.
He came to Denver in 1972 to host “Afternoon at the Movies with Tom Shannon” on KWGN Channel 2. He also worked briefly doing weeknights on KHOW, before moving to afternoon drive on 56 KLZ. He was a bright, upbeat, talented personality both on TV and radio. 

Shannon was born in Buffalo, New York and in 1955, at 17, went on the air for the first time as a newsman at WXRA in Kenmore, New York. He later joining WKWB Buffalo as a disc jockey then moved into the evening shift when the legendary Dick Biondi moved to Chicago. In 1960, at 22, he signed a contract with Corsican Records and had writers credit on several records. A instrumental version of his radio theme song later became a hit for the Rockin’ Rebels as “Wild Weekend.” Listen to his original theme song: http://www.colorradio.com/…/Rebels_Rebels_Jingle.mp3

He earned a degree at Buffalo Teacher’s College and taught high school for a while, working as a DJ too. In 1962 he served active duty in the National Guard. In 1964 he moved from Buffalo to CKLW (Windsor Canada, serving Detroit). In 1968 he began to host “The Lively Spot” nightly and “The Tom Shannon Show” Saturdays on CKLW Windsor, Canada. In 1969, Shannon joined WXYZ Detroit. After his three years in Denver, Shannon returned to Detroit. The rest of his 50 year career was spent in either Buffalo or Detroit (with a short stay in Nashville for a cable TV hosting job). He retired in Buffalo in 2005. He’s pictured early in his distinguished career.

Tom Shannon was voted the top radio personality in the United States and Canada in 1969, and in both the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame and The Buffalo Music Hall Of Fame. 

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.