Know the feeling of finding a twenty dollar bill in a pocket of an old winter coat? That's what it was like for us recently to reconnect with one of our former high school classmates. Ed Healy, a former Little League teammate of mine, has gone on to practice his dream. Ed, known to his 106.5 rock listeners in Charlotte, NC as "The Wizard", can be heard on Sunday mornings hosting his rock radio gig. One listen to his show and I'm sure you'll agree with me that not only did he get it right...he's nailed it. He had the good sense not to be a cloned version of Casey Kasem, Howard Stern or Rick Dees...for that, we're grateful.
As a kid I grew up listening to WABC's Cousin Brucie out of New York City. Am I the only one that allowed a dream or two to occupy my head with a fantasy of managing the airwaves with my choice of songs one day? Ed not only wanted that same dream but he walked the talk and obtained it. Combined with the confidence he brings to this audio table...the voice, the demeanor and cross section of songs makes listening to his show well...time well spent.
The "High Priest of Songs That Don't Suck," The Wizard, aka The Wiz has been bringing to the airwaves the Roots of Modern rock for over 15 years now. You can tune in each Sunday morning 8 AM ~ Noon east coast time ( www.106.5.com ) for Resurrection Sunday featuring music from The Clash, The Police, Tears For Fears, Blondie, Psychedelic Furs, The Ramones, A-ha, Billy Idol, Duran Duran, INXS and so much more.
Ed started his career at the beginning of the decade of debauchery, 1980 at K94FM in Asbury Park, NJ. WJLK 94.3. Pat Gillen gave him his first shot and he had enjoyed himself enough to be arrested. When he moved to Charlotte he landed a gig on Sunday mornings.... 15 years, over 700 shows, 40,000 songs and maybe, just maybe one of these days as Ed put's it..."I'll get it right".
At 10am he'll play back a triple shot of the biggest hair bands. He revisits the 80's with a little Aqua Net from bands like Dokken, Iron Maiden, Twisted Sister, Ratt, Motley Crue and your suggestions at wiz@1065.com
If you were stranded on a Desert Island with only 3 songs, what 3 songs would you take? Send those requests in now and remind him of your shared WHS roots, make a note of the time and tune in to hear one of your own selections hopefully being played!
I must say for those of us that grew up with Ed, there is that nice feeling, even better than finding that twenty...to see one of the "good guys" discover happiness in their life, family and trade. Some of us can say we knew you even "back when"...behind the Wizard's curtain. Nice going Ed, you've done WHS classmates proud!
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