WMGK(FM) morning personality John DeBella announced his retirement plans on Thursday. After being a part of the Philadelphia radio scene for more than 40 years, DeBella is set to hang up his headphones for good, with his last show on June 30.
“As one of the originators of the Morning Zoo format, his morning show not only became an unprecedented number one rated show in Philadelphia, but he also achieved the highest ratings in local radio history at that time,” read a WMGK press release announcing DeBella’s retirement.
DeBella is also well known for his work on “The National Lampoon Radio Hour,” the syndicated radio program that starred John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Dan Akroyd and Bill Murray, among others.
“After 47 years on the radio, I really can’t believe it’s coming to an end,” said DeBella in the release. “I’ve been extremely lucky to be able to work at a job I love, in a city I love, with a family that has supported and sacrificed a lot for me to fulfill my dream.”
According to the station, which is owned by Beasley Media Group, in addition to his extensive radio career, DeBella has appeared as a stand-up comedian, is a local Emmy award-winning host and producer and heads up Husky Productions, a local TV production company.
In April of 2023, he was officially inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame.
“Through five decades in the business, 40 years in Philly and the last 20 anchoring WMGK’s broadcast day, John DeBella has simply made our lives better through a shared love of humor, music and entertainment,” said Beasley Media Group Vice President of Talent Development and WMGK(FM)/WMMR(FM) Program Director Bill Weston. “His career tally has to be close to 10,000 shows and you can bet he put his heart and soul into each and every one of them.”
