Broadcast legends honored
You'll now be able to call Gary LaPierre a legend.
The former WBZ anchor is being inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame Thursday along many other legends past and present.
In addition to WBZ's LaPierre, this year's honorees include television executive Jim Coppersmith, on-air radio personality and station executive Phil D. (Phil G.Drumheller), American Rock & Roll Hall of Fame radio disc jockey Dale Dorman, radio personality Bruce Arnold, Tom Ellis, anchor on WBZ-TV, WCVB-TV, WNEV-TV (now WHDH) and NECN, WBZ-TV alum and former news anchor Robin Young, who now hosts Here & Now on public radio and WCVB-TV'S investigative reporter and anchor Janet Wu.
A special inductee will also be included. Wilmer C. "Bill" Swartley, who is now 102 and lives in Needham was instrumental (along with the late Gordon Swan) in successfully establishing FM radio stations and Boston's first commercial TV station, WBZ-TV.
He launched Channel 4 on June 9, 1948 and was promoted to Regional Vice President of Westinghouse in 1954.
He was responsible for both WBZ radio and WBZ-TV until his retirement from Westinghouse in 1961.
Several deceased members of the broadcast media will also be honored.
The Gala Awards Ceremony and Luncheon will be hosted by WBZ's Jordan Rich.
