John Tenaglia passed away in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at the age of 88. The Pennsylvania native is remembered for his tough but fair approach to management, his contributions to the AOR format, and his prolific career spanning stations across America.
In 1965, Tenaglia became General Sales Manager of Pittsburgh’s KQV-AM, where he stayed for four years before becoming General Manager of Westchester Corporation’s WIXZ. In the 1970s, he ran General Cinema Corporation’s radio division, which included Chicago’s WEFM, Houston’s KRBE, Atlanta’s WZGC, Cleveland’s WGCL, and Philadelphia’s WIFI.
In 1980, he established TK Communications, which bought stations across the country. Tenaglia purchased Dallas’ KLVU in 1981, flipping the signal to AC and then Oldies, before buying the call letters KLUV. Tenaglia also purchased San Antonio’s KBUC AM and FM frequencies in 1986, changing the AM to a Tejano format and the FM to Spanish AC.
TK Communications also owned properties in Central and South Florida, including Orlando’s WHOO-AM and Q96 (WHTQ) and Ft. Lauderdale’s WSHE and WSRF-AM. After the FCC began to relax radio ownership rules, Tenaglia sold off the company’s stations at a massive profit in 1995.
Sorry to hear of John Tenaglia’s passing. At the age of 29 he hired me as Station Manager of WHOO/WHTQ in Orlando, Florida from WLS in Chicago. Armed with a business plan to transform the AM into Disney Radio and establish the FM “Q96” into an early Classic Rock Alternative. He always treated me more like a son than staff. Honestly he upgraded my life to a standard of living more to his liking (pure Johnnie T style). But at the end of the day he was all business. To this day, his “bottom line up” approach to radio has been my guide yet today, as an owner of my own stations here in Colorado.
Growing up in Ft Laud, working at WHSE was like my dream come true. Sorry to hear about Mr. Tanaglia’s passing. But let’s not forget that it was the Milner’s hard work and vision that originally created this legendary radio station. I raise a toast to the trailer park.
In 1972 John T. gave me my first gig in Radio Advertising Sales at WZGC (Z-93) in Atlanta. I had never sold anything in my life. However, JT grantred me an interview. At the conclusion of the interview, he handed me an Atlanta Phone Book a yellow pad and a lead pencil, yes a lead pencil. He then said, “You really add nothing to this radion station but, I will give you a $50.00 a week draw and the phone book the yellow pad and Pencil, I think I can teach you Radio Sales”. The folloowing Monday morning, I hit the streets with those 3 items as a direct sales person. With J JT’s teaching, management and guidance he set the stage for the beginning of my successful career in Advertising Sales, Sales Management and Corporate Senior Management Thank you John T. Rest in Heavenly Peace!!
Bill McGlamery
The craziest, weirdest, and best 2 years of old school radio sales, part of being the ‘SHE Entebbe Squad” was memorable to say the least.
JT was singular personality, really could have been great movie.
John, Rest In Peace.
I worked for John Tenaglia as corporate Director of Engineering, at TK communications and chief engineer of WSHE Miami, Fort Lauderdale.
John was a tough competitor that had his way of doing things. He was aggressive and brought out the best in his staff. He hired the best and he expected the best from them. Working for John and being forced to up my game helped me tremendously in my future jobs. He came across like a hard ass, but absolutely knew what he was doing, and did have softer side that only a few knew about. He gave me opportunities that I would not have had anywhere else, and I’m sure that anyone that ever worked for him (while he may have made it difficult at times) would switch back to the way broadcasting was under John T in a second.
Rest in peace JT you are me of a kind.
My first job in radio sales was 1989 at WSHE. I learned from JT what to do in sales, but also learned what NOT TO.
He was a tough guy with hard exterior and s generous, sensitive side he wouldn’t let you see.
RIP
I worked at WSHE from 1980 to 1986. I must say it was one of the best times in my radio career. I also worked alongside some of the best radio people there as well. Yes , John had a temper but being he was the owner I feel he earned that privilege to some degree, although he never directed any of that type of temperament toward me. I used to pick him up at the airport when he flew into town and we talk about different things on the ride to the station. This was my first gig in radio and glad I was on board for that many years. R.I P. John.
Working for John was quite an experience. He had a mercurial temper which could scare the s— out of you. Still, he represented a kind of radio and ownership that is essentially gone. Never a dull moment!
I’m glad I was there. R.I.P.
In 1985 John Tenaglia had a monster in WSHE. It was iconic as “She’s Only Rock and Roll” dominated South Florida alongside Y-100 under Metroplex ownership. By 1987 WSHE started to slide after its big morning show was lured away to Cox Radio’s short-lived 97GTR. Rock 40 was replaced with a lot of hair bands. By 1993 it was competing with Classic Rocker Zeta4 at noon to see who could play more obscure classic Genesis songs. Then Big 105.9 debuted. Game over. WSHE could not recover and Tenaglia sold it. But for a generation of Miami listeners, his FM was the go-to. RIP
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