Bilotta died this past Friday with his family at his side, peacefully and finally without pain after over a two year battle with pancreatic cancer. Bilotta was loved by so many in the broadcasting industry. We went back a few years and pulled up our last interview with Joe. Here it is…
(by Ed Ryan) When you work for Radio Ink magazine for 15 years, you get a chance to interview a lot of great broadcasters. Joe Bilotta was one of the greats. The news of his passing is extremely sad. Joe was always available to take your call, always available to give you a great quote, and always positive about the company he worked for and the radio industry in general. In other words, he was genuinely a super nice guy.
As life would have it, some people you interview, unfortunately, pass away. When Rick Buckley passed away suddenly in 2011, I reached out to Joe, who opened his heart and penned an 859-word essay for Radio Ink. Here is a portion of what he wrote:
“We were seemingly inseparable to those who observed us over the years, and I proudly
say to all that we were. My best friend in a wonderfully unique relationship was suddenly and swiftly snatched from us on that July night. I will miss him eternally and am so proud of the accolades and testimonials that have come his way after his death. It would have embarrassed him…
“Man we were killin’ time
We were young and restless
We needed to unwind
I guess nothin’ can last forever, forever, no”
In 2014 I was lucky enough to interview Joe Bilotta as he celebrated 45 years in the radio business. It was also not too long after we lost Rick Buckley, another great broadcaster. Here’s that interview.
Radio Ink: You’re celebrating 45 years in the business. Has it gone by in the blink of an eye for you?
Joe Bilotta: Some days it does seem like, what happened to the time? And other times the longevity of it all seems like an eternity … what does make it seamless is that I really have not worked for another broadcaster, so the body of work has been a continuum, and after 45 years, the beginning, middle, and eventual end is all part of one piece of energy and effort.
Radio Ink: Why do you continue to work in the radio business? What do you love about it?
Joe: It is what I do, what I have always done, and what I will do in some way, shape, or form until I decide to do nothing else. The love of the business is ingrained in my DNA.
Radio Ink: What is your best memory of being in the radio business over the years?
Joe: The day Rick Buckley said to me, “Joe, what do you think if a couple of independent guys from Connecticut try and buy WOR Radio in NYC?”
Radio Ink: What is your biggest success?
Joe: There is always material corporate success in any career … we were the first company to merge with Ralph Guild, when we dissolved Buckley Radio Sales, which enabled him to represent multiple stations in one market…. The longevity of our station ownership … the acquisition of WOR were all accomplishments for our company … I humbly view my biggest personal accomplishment to be the ability over the years/decades to interact honestly and with integrity in all of the relationships I formed: employees, customers, vendors, and competitors.
Radio Ink: You are very involved in organizations like the RAB, NAB, Broadcasters Foundation, etc. Why is that important to you and for others to do?
Joe: Early on Rick Buckley told me that regardless of scale, you give back what you can to the industry. He was a former Chair of the RAB, I am a former Chair. I served a 6-year term with the NAB, and I succeeded him on the Broadcasters Foundation Board. I think that going forward, it is critically important for independent representatives from non-public companies to be engaged in industry-related trade associations.
Radio Ink: You have always had the attitude that people come first. Do you believe the radio industry follows that creed?
Joe: I don’t speak negatively of other companies, but will advocate for a greater concentration of efforts on “people development.” Resources are being invested in so many great things that I hope we do not forget that people should come first and are our greatest resource.
Radio Ink: What would you like to see radio do better?
Joe: There are so many great minds guiding companies today, and they are all concentrating on “the next big thing” and “all things digital.” I would like to see a reengagement of interpersonal-relationship skill development from everyone who represents our brands. The core of our business still remains that we must entertain and inform the audiences we seek, engage in a mutually beneficial partnership with the advertisers we solicit, and most importantly, design and create an industry that is challenging, rewarding, and beneficial to the employees we ask to give of their time, energy, and efforts.
Radio Ink: Three years ago your best friend, Rick Buckley, died. How have you dealt with that? What has helped you move on?
Joe: Rick and I were very unique … a relationship that everyone should be blessed enough to have. It has been a very challenging 36 months without him. I have a wonderful relationship with Connie, his wife, and Jen, his daughter.… That has kept it “in the family” for me.
Radio Ink: How were you able to stay with one company for so long? Nobody does that.
Joe: Over the years/decades I was often criticized for not venturing out … I had numerous and great opportunities, and each time I discussed it with Rick … each time he left it to me to decide … each time, I stayed, and my family and I have benefited.
Radio Ink: What do you miss the most about Mr. Buckley?
Joe: Everything. We’ve seen, over the past several years, some of our stations sold. Was that part of a plan if Mr. Buckley did pass away, or was that a decision the board made along the way? Family businesses are unique, and it is not unusual when an iconic head of a family-held business leaves on a Friday and doesn’t come back on a Monday, that the dynamic changes. There are and were many influencing factors in our decisions to market some of our properties over these last three years, and the Board of Directors were unilateral in their guidance and decision.
Radio Ink: How much longer will you stay in the business?
Joe: As long as they’ll have me.
Editor’s note:
In 2014, Joe’s son Greg sent me this note…
“My father, Joe Bilotta, is the reason for my e-mail today. Tomorrow — Thursday, July 31, 2014 — marks his 45th year of employment with Buckley Radio. It’s a milestone shared by very few in our industry these days, as you know. During the past 45 years, he has always been a proponent and advocate for radio, serving as the RAB Board Chair and a board member for the Broadcasters Foundation of America. He’s also been a strong defender of radio when we’ve faced opposition and challenges from the likes of SiriusXM and others. Most importantly, he has embodied the a Buckley Radio principle instilled 45 years ago; ‘People Are Our Greatest Resource.'”
Like many in the radio industry, Greg was very proud of his Dad.
Calling hours will be held on June 6th, Wednesday from 3-7 PM in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. Funeral services will take place on Thursday 915 AM in the funeral home and 1030 AM in Saint Thomas Church 1719 Post Road, Fairfield, with a reception to immediately follow. To order flowers online, for travel directions, or to sign his guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com
So sorry I didn’t get to connect with him. I wonder if we had the some relativeves heater in the states or Italy.
My dad’s name was Joe Bilotta, he was an architect and jazz pianist.
Joanne Bilotta
Just a couple of fun memories from the early days. I met Joey at WIBG Philadelphia, where he was in charge of the mail room. He took care of having the AE’s business cards printed, and told me he had cards printed for himself …”Director Of Internal Affairs”. One of the salesman there, rather than bother going to his agency’s, would have him deliver his “avails”. Joey, decided he needed to be compensated for this extra work. Took a map of the city, drew circles, and charged by how far he had to go….I always told him that was the radio industry’s first Grid Card. Great memories- Great person, Rest In Peace!
I worked for Joe & Rick at WOR–the best job I had in the business. Rest in peace, Joe.
I knew Joe for most of his radio career, going back to the ’70s when he introduced me to Buckley Radio Sales through representation of our station WPLR. Joe was always there, offering his knowledge and energy to help us succeed. His honesty and professionalism were always the first thing you saw and experienced every time you worked with him. Joe was a good friend over the years and always willing to pitch in with an insight or idea when you needed it. His son Greg has followed in his father footsteps and will continue to personify the memory of Joe to me, always the professional. And we knew, given his illness, that Joe would someday lost this battle. Radio has lost a great man and I will miss him. Rest peacefully my friend Joe.
Such a nice tribute, Dick. He was a big fan of yours and always spoke about your long lasting friendship.
Goodbye my dear friend seems not enough to say. Rick & Joe we’re my first bosses in the business and from that experience my 25+ radio career began. I will never forget either of them. Joe you will be dearly missed!!!!!
Thanks for this nice note, Cheryl.
I have worked for many in this industry. Joe was truly one of the best. A great mentor, and just a great person. He will be missed. We had many great adventures, and he was absolutely great to work with in the relocation of the WOR transmitter site and the WOR studios. Buckley and Bilotta are reunited – and the industry is at a loss with the loss of Joe. Rest in peace, Joe, and thank you for many good years in the industry.
Tom – so many great memories and laughs we shared from managing my Dad’s tech debacles. He valued your relationship and commitment to the business over all those years. Hope your family is happy and healthy.