Walsh to replace LaPierre as WBZ anchor
Ed Walsh, a veteran radio newsman with ties to Boston, was chosen to replace Gary LaPierre as morning news anchor on WBZ-AM (1030), the station announced yesterday.
Walsh, who grew up in Natick and Wellesley and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, worked for several years in New York, most recently as a news anchor at WBZ's sister station, WCBS Newsradio 880, and before that as host of a morning news show on WOR. His first day delivering the news on WBZ will be Jan. 1.
"WBZ's always been the icon for me. It was the station I grew up listening to," said Walsh, who's married with four children. "When you have Gary LaPierre as your role model, you want to play on that same field, and I've spent the last 20 years learning how to do that. This is a better script than I could have ever come up with."
LaPierre, who has interviewed newsmakers ranging from Lyndon Johnson to Muhammad Ali in a career spanning more than four decades, announced in April his intention to retire at the end of the year. A legendary figure on Boston radio, LaPierre signs off for the final time Dec. 29.
Neither Walsh nor LaPierre could be reached for comment late yesterday.
Announcing Walsh's selection, WBZ vice president and general manager Ted Jordan said the station was impressed not only with Walsh's resume but also his familiarity with the area. "Ed will be the voice of news for New England for the next generation of WBZ listeners," Jordan said in a statement. "He already knows so much about Boston from growing up and working here we won't have to teach him how to pronounce 'Gloucester' and 'Quincy.' With the increased importance of local news on radio, it's critical for WBZ to have someone with the experience and credibility of Ed Walsh behind the microphone."
Walsh, who'll join on-air colleagues Deb Lawler and sports anchor Gil Santos at WBZ, was news director and anchor at WRKO for 10 years before going to New York. A naval officer in Vietnam, Walsh said his coverage of Sept. 11 was the most important assignment of his career. On-air at WOR at the time of the attack, Walsh was honored by the Associated Press for his work.
Peter Casey, director of news and programming at WBZ, wouldn't say yesterday how much Walsh will be paid, but it's likely to be much less than what LaPierre was making after 42 years. Meanwhile, WBZ has posted ads on its website for two full-time reporting jobs, both of which are new positions, Casey said. 