Larry Glick, legendary Boston talkmaster, dies at 87
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March 27, 2009 06:40 PM
(WBZ-AM)
By Bryan Marquard, Globe Staff
Midnight long past and dawn far from sight, Larry Glick picked up the phone in 1973 during his radio show on WBZ-AM, one of his homes for the nearly three decades he ruled the wee small hours of Boston radio with a talk show that drew listeners and callers from across the country and Canada.
"It's 2:35 so let's take our next call," Mr. Glick said in his rich baritone. "Yup, this is Larry! How am I feeling? Well, wait a second and let me check." A brief pause. "Fine."
His audience knew to expect the unexpected. If conversation lagged, he might cue up sound effects of bullets flying. If a caller droned, he'd play a tape of a loud yawn and snoring. Mostly, though, people tuned in because they were eager to hear what Mr. Glick would say next. Erudite one moment, droll the next, only two things were certain: Mr. Glick would be funny and listeners would laugh.
A pioneer of talk radio, he died Thursday in Florida of complications from open heart surgery, according to Peter Casey, director of news and programming at WBZ radio. Mr. Glick was 87 and in retirement had lived in Boca Raton, Fla.
"His radio show just made him a legend in New England, no question about it," said Gary LaPierre, former morning news anchor on WBZ, where Mr. Glick spent nearly 20 years on the air. "He was just a delightful man to be around and he found fun in everything. He didn't take anything, including himself, that seriously."
"He would always tell people, 'I may not give you a correct answer, but I'll give you a snappy answer,' " said Mr. Glick's daughter, Nannette Glick Cote of Natick. "He was engaging and charming and fun-loving, an amazing person who never met a stranger."
Said Dave Rodman, Channel 7's first on-air news anchor and later spokesman for the Suffolk district attorney's office: "Larry could talk about anything and was interested in everything."
From the early 1960s to the early 1990s, it seemed as if every radio listener in Greater Boston and beyond was interested in Mr. Glick -- at least those who were awake because they worked overnight hours or simply couldn't sleep. His fans were known as Glicknics, or Glicknicks, depending on who did the spelling. They've kept his memory alive on the Internet, where clips of Mr. Glick's voice and TV promos for his show reside.
"Larry was an automatic when I was driving home from a concert, a movie, or a party," Boston radio great Charles Laquidara wrote today in a posting on Boston.com. "His wise-cracking voice would stay with my car from one end of New England to the other; a late-night companion with no equal, and an absolute must for helping smiling at-home listeners go to sleep and for keeping night-time drivers awake and entertained."
Growing up in Roxbury, where he graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School, Mr. Glick didn't want to be the voice that soothed insomniacs and inspired night owls in some 40 states. "My first choice was in the criminal justice system," he told the Globe in 1988. "I wanted to be a special agent in the FBI. No kidding. But to do that you have to first be a lawyer or an accountant."
He studied at Burdett College, a business school in Boston, but said that "those accounting courses were so boring!"
Instead, he decided to try broadcasting. "We both went to Emerson College at night," Rodman recalled.
During World War II, Mr. Glick had served in the Army and suffered back and leg injuries in Germany. He also worked on a kibbutz in Israel.
With Rodman, he began his radio career at WLMH in Laconia, N.H. Mr. Glick then worked with the Armed Forces Network in 1950, and moved to Florida a few years later. Through the rest of the decade, he stayed in the state at radio stations WIVY, WINZ, and at WZOK, which he owned for a couple of years.
From 1960 to 1964, he developed his style as a talk show host through the night at WINZ in Miami before jumping to WMEX in Boston for four years.
Then came WBZ, which Mr. Glick joined in 1968. In a run that lasted until 1987, he developed a national following until a salary disagreement led him to switch to WHDH, after staying off the air for a year to honor a non-compete clause in his WBZ contract. He remained on WHDH until 1992, when he left Boston's airwaves for good.
Though tame by today's standards, Mr. Glick's material could occasionally raise an eyebrow or two in the 1960s and '70s.
"Some of his humor was subtle, some was subtle as a sledgehammer, but he just had a way of getting away with it," LaPierre said. "And I don't think he was getting away with anything bad. Our standards were fairly puritanical at that point."
Celebrities found their way onto Mr. Glick's shows, often when he tracked them down by phone. He featured local characters, too, such as cab driver Charlie DiGiovanni, who sometimes brought coffee to the radio studio.
"Larry was just synonymous with fun, and I think people felt that listening to him on the radio," Casey said. "There was no place he'd rather be than on the radio talking to them."
Mr. Glick thought the real stars were those who called in, regulars who ranged from clever to off the wall. While on WMEX in 1966, he told the Globe his show gives "the average man a chance to voice an opinion, and he can do it in his undershirt in the comfort of his living room."
Through most of his years on the air, Mr. Glick also became a pilot and performed as a hypnotist, entertaining crowds and helping many people quit smoking. But to legions of listeners, he remains the voice that made being awake at night worthwhile.
In September, Mr. Glick traveled to Dedham for his induction ceremony into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame, which is located at Massasoit Community College.
His acceptance speech "brought the house down, and we had 250 people there that night," said Arthur Singer, president of the organization. "By the time he was finished, we had a room full of Glicknics -- it was a love fest. He reminded everybody that you always need to leave a little room for some fun in your life, and I think that's what he gave to his listeners. That's a great gift."
In addition to his daughter Nannette, Mr. Glick leaves his wife, Lisa of Boca Raton, Fla., and her daughters, Tali Israel and Tirana Mamur; a brother, Edwin of Denton, Texas; and a step-granddaughter.
WBZ said Mr. Glick's family will hold a private service on Sunday in Florida. Mr. Glick's daughter said a public memorial service in the Boston area will be announced.
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One of my proudest accomplishments was winning a Glick Univesity t-shirt. When I was 11 or 12 I used to wake up extra early to hear the end of the show. There's a funny man on radio, his name is Larry Glick Good night, Larry, wherever you are.
I was a true "Glick-nick" at the age of 16 in 1979, and the proud owner of a "Glick University T'shirt. Good bye Larry, you will never be replaced.
nobody will ever come close to the great Lorenzo Glickiano....THE last of the great radio hosts....one last "Larry Glick Salute" to the master
Rest in Peace Larry, you were the king of late night radio in Boston and your like will never be duplicated.
Larry Glick was one of a great generation of Boston AM radio personalities. These men were witty, intelligent and both relaxing and stimulating to listen to. Theirs was a sweet era of broadcasting, pleasant and non-confrontational. Our modern golden age, before AM descended into unremitting hate radio.
I also won a Glick University T-Shirt! Wish I knew where it was now.
I used to "sleep" with the pillow over my radio (lest mom find out I was awake) listening for first hand reports of UFOs or Larry calling a Jazz club owner in Paris just to say "hi". One of my biggest regrets in life will be never receiving a Glick University T-shirt.. Rest in peace.
"Ask a question, any question. I may not give you the right answer, but I'll give you an answer.." Who was the greatest talk radio show host? Hands down, it was Glick!
I did an internship in College at WBZ Radio and had the pleasure of spending many nights hanging with Larry Glick. He was a class act. Rest in Peace Larry.
As someone who use to listen to Larry growing up he will be sorely missed. Now in my 30's, the thought of listening to Larry while falling asleep in my childhood bed conjures up warm memories. Perhaps that was Larry's secret. He brought out the inner child in all of us.
I am 35 and remember my grandmother listening to Larry. I think this is one of the reasons I listen to talk radio today. Thanks for the memories !
Hi Larry, How are you? "Hold on" a pause, obviously looking down, and a whistle" "Not bad, thanks". Larry, rest in peace, my friend. You were (are!) the best!
Will miss you Larry. Was great to hear you again with Steve L. brought back fun memories..
I'll never forget sitting in bed at night with my father and listening to his show. The graveyard marauder was a great story. You will be missed by many and forgotten by nobody.
Good Bye to a dear friend, a great radio personality (the best of the best) and a true gentleman. I know your looking down at us with a smile in your heart.
Listened all the time. Nobody will ever come close to Larry's whit and banter. You were a gem.
You stole the words straight from my mouth, Greg. It always was a day brightener to wake up to Larry Glick and then watch the early morning reruns of The Muppet Show.
Fond memories, for sure. Glad I had a chance to hear him over the years.
The planet just became a a little more lonely. Thanks for keeping us awake.
Well said Greg. AM radio sure has decended. It doesn't take any talent to spew forth all that hatred and mean spiritedness. Goodbye Larry Glick. Thanks for the memories.
My wife wonders why I listen to the radio at night, and it all goes back to my childhood listening to Larry Glick on a cheap AM transistor radio. Larry was up beat, funny, and a true human being.
Rest in peace Larry.
Larry had a huge Audience at my Grandparents house. Myself and my cousins stayed up late at night with my granfather listening to the show.. Great memories. He was one of a kind.
E-Pluribus Glickus
God bless you sir.
i still rememebr the jongle for his on air number, well for a long time anyway,
2-5-4 5-6-78
kind of to the tune of the beginning of jimmy crack corn,
He made a lot of overnight shifts, bearable.
May a flight of angels sing thee to thy rest.
you will certainly be missed.
hmm, do you think Gerry Williams, Johnny Most, David Brudnoy, and now Larry Glick, are sitting up in heaven, having a few cigars and playing cards while telling stories.
I hope so. Im sure they banned Red auerbach from playing, hes just too good of a gambler.
;-)
He hipnotize me and I stoped smoking 25 Years ago, Thank you Larry. Have not have one
My brother and I would turn our radios on at night hoping our parents would not catch us. Listening to Larry Glick is one of my fondest childhood memories.
Greg hit the nail on the head
I agree with Greg. There is so much bashing in today's AM talk radio..very negative. Then again..perhaps during these years of Larry and through the 90s, we simply wanted to ignore the excess and live in bliss, and the bashing of wreckless people is due.
I missed Larry after he retired. Thank you for the fun times and world wide educational and listening experience.
There was no one better than Larry. I too was a proud owner of a Glick Universirty t-shirt. And who can forget the "Graveyard Marauder." A whistle and a clap to you, Larry.
From the hilarious "One hen, two ducks, three squawking geese song", to his serious interview with Col. Paul Tibbets, Larry was always entertaining. I missed him on the airwaves when he retired, and now I'm saddened by his loss.
Back in the 70's, when I was in my 20's, I used to stay up all night sometimes, to sew a new skirt or dress to wear to work the next day and Larry kept me going ! There were some wonderful "regulars" who checked in with him every night. I wish I could remember their names. Good Morning Larry, wherever you are.
Sorry to see the Glickmeister go, but it is clear from the tone of the writing and the headline that refers to Larry as "local radio host," whoever wrote the story has not the slightest clue who Larry Glick is (was).
Goodbye Larry, you kept me awake for many years, and in laughter. I have missed your calls to the world.
Wow! I used to listen to Larry Glick as a kid back in the 1970s. I learned a lot and the radio kept me company during those sleepless nights.
Thanks for the fond memories. Kudos to you, Mr. Glick!
Larry Glick was a dynamic and wonderful communicator who brought a great deal of enjoynment to a multitude of people. He never took himself too seriously and made him a warm and caring person. I will miss the faous Larry glick salute!
Look closely and you will see Larry is wearing a Civil Air Patrol insignia. Aside from his latenight shenanigans Larry was also a great citizen of Boston and the Merrimack Valley. I salute you (with a Larry Glick salute).
The call he received one night from a patrolman who called in and told the story of an encounter he had late one night while passing a cemetery was a classic...
The Spirit of New England WBZ Boston Group W Westinghouse Broadcasting...its Midnight........rest in peace Larry Glick!
Larry Glick was one of the great Boston radiomen, along with Jess Cain, Dick Summers, Fred B. Coles, Ken Mayer. (I'll include Charles Laquidara, although he had a bit of a mean streak I didn't like.)
Larry was from another era and there is not likely to more like him. I loved listening to Larry at night in the car or when I couldn't sleep. Never had a bad word to say about another human. Rest in peace, Larry. You live on in the memories of your Glickniks.
I'm also a Glick-nick and an alum of Glick University....Rest in Peace Larry.
ludvig....vere are you???
WBZ needs to do a weeklong tribute to Larry Glick and play the highlights from his show from crazy stories that used to scare the hell out of me all the way to his celebrity (and not so celebrity) interviews. Thank you for making my adolescence so enjoyable!
I listened to "Commander" Glick while attending the University of Kentucky. WBZ used to come in fairly stronlgly late at night in those early 70's days. Didn't he used to have Congressman Moakely's singing dog on once a year? Funny stuff.
When I was 5, I spent a couple of weeks in traction in the hospital because of a problem with my legs. My mother called Larry Glick and reached out to him and his listeners with my story. The waves of cards and well wishes that followed from Larry and his Glicknicks was overwhelming. I called him about 6 months later to thank him and earned my very own Glick University tshirt. Larry was responsible for keeping a frightened child's spirits up. Rest in Peace, my dear friend, and thank you for all of the joy you have given your listeners over the years.
Larry, in many ways, one of the Fathers of Talk Radio.
'Just a minuite, let me check' and 'Lorenzo' will always have a ringing memory.
although we never meet or talked, I considered you a friend, who I can listen to at night who made me laugh and kept me entertained while at work or just driving around. Good bye, friend
Larry Glick was my mom's favorite talkshow and mine also. A true great in the radio industry was Larry. RIP Larry.
Larry Glick was probably the last radio host who would hold you in your car even after you arrived home from a long drive back from work. You could not leave the car as you needed to continue to listen. Often interested in what was going on on his show, but more often just laughing. I can not think of another radio personality who I was compelled to listen to as much.
I read only today that he was employed as a greeter at Legal Seafoods in Boca Raton. I can see him and his dapper smile meeting with many of the retirees from new England who came in for lunch or dinner. Must have been a treat. Good job Mr. Berkowitz! It shows your style and class.
I , too, frequently listened to Larry in my pre-teen and teen years. Many of my favorite comedy bits and songs were the ones Glick played, including the works of Stan Freberg, Spike Jones, and Firesign Theater.
I also recall being terrified by some of the classic "graveyard" story calls he often replayed.
And to this day, I still find myself singing the WBZ phone #, "254-5678", a la Larry Glick.
to paraphrase a line from one of the comedy bits, "you're a better man than I am, Larry Glick"
Local radio will never, never, never be as good as it once was. Thank you Larry for making it fun.
Is this Larry? Wait, Let me check...
I always went to sleep with a radio under my pillow listening to Uncle Larry, and Norm Nathan on the weekends.
Larry Glick was absolutely the best!! He along with his regular callers such as Charlie the cab driver DiGiovanni made for an entertaining evening. His wit and timing was unsurpassed. Truly, a legend during the golden age of entertainment radio when you could kick back and enjoy a laugh. I salute you Commander Glick. RIP
WBZ had Jerry Williams (8 - 12) then Larry Click (12 - 6). What a combo. And the lead in was Calling All Sports with Guy Maniella.......great radio
My wife and I used to listen to the commander as much as we could. What a great entertainer. Rest in peace Larry.
I will miss you Larry. Great personality, great show.
Hello Larry? Are you there?
Hold on let me check....
Thanks for the laughs Larry..you truly were one of a kind.
I grew up in Arlington, and when I was in college in Ohio in the early 70s, I used to listen to Larry while delivering the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper from 1-5 AM. He kept me awake - and all I can say now is his favorite phrase: "hello once, hello twice, areverderchi !
Mike M
First, Jess Cain and now Larry Glick. Radio will never be the same.
RIP and Thanks
I listened to Larry for years, when I worked nights. There was no one better at his job, and No one could ever replace the Commander Myself and many others will miss that guy.
me too remember as a young teen listening to larry
shame those days are gone
Wow, this article is a jumble. Larry deserved better.
In the summers of 1972 and 1973 my friend's and I would camp out all summer in my family's barn and enjoyed listneing to Larry and all his ghost stories. Larry you were an original and we will never forget you!
He can now join Jess Cain on the funniest and best radio station in heaven! Jess will ask "LARRY, how ARE you?!" to which Larry will reply, of course "Let me check, (whistle, whistle), GOOD Jess!" Thanks Larry for all those late nights of enjoyable listening on the radio. I almost looked forward to being sick where I'd be up all night and could enjoy your show and all the wacky callers. I wish WBZ could put together a set of tapes of your old shows to bring back some memories. Very sad to hear the news but you're in our hearts and prayers today Larry.
I am a Glicknic to this day. I live in Las Vegas now, and any time I pass by Battista's Hole In The Wall Italian restaurant, I think about Larry and how much he loved that place.
Good by Larry. Thanks for the memories. I sure wish I could get shot off the air or hear one more person get shot! I'll miss Las vegas's Hole in the wall restaurant manager, him checking to see how he was doing when you asked him how he was, Uncle Starchy, calling random pay hones, him calling people coooks, his random banter with David Brudnoy, etc etc
Good night for the last time dear night time friend.
To this day whenever I go to Las Vegas I try and eat at Batista's Hole in the Wall Italian Restaurant. In my younger days Larry used to call there during his show, in the middle of the night and speak with the owners. His picture remains on their wall! I always remembered that segment of his show.
There was no one like Larry Glick and there probably never will be. He was one of the greatest talk show hosts of all time and introduced me to many new topics as a child, such as flying and hypnosis. He always treated people with kindness and interest, and didn't seem to have any political prejudices, unlike the ranting buffoons that now occupy the airwaves. Larry had humor, talent, originality, imagination, and warmth. Who could forget stories like the Midnight Marauder or personalities like the cabbie, Charlie DiGiovanni, or Moses, the guy from the hills who sang old folks songs? After 30 years of not hearing him, I still miss his nightly broadcasts. If only I could go back in time and reclaim Larry Glick and Jerry Williams - there would be a renaissance of talk radio. I am so sorry that there's a generation out there who never had the opportunity to hear these two giants of radio so that they'd know what quality radio REALLY was. God bless you Larry and rest in peace, my friend.
I found Larry Glick by accident while looking for news on the Libya bombing as a nerdy teen. I agree with comment #5, that was a great era of radio before it got all crazy.
I used to listen to Larry and Jerry Williams, too...WBZ radio was at its peak then, during the 70s. Now, I'm not so sure what it is.
I, too, was a glick-nik for a good stretch. Don't forget his sign-off in about 12 languages, ending in Shalom melakem. Peace to you Mr. Glick
Oh, this breaks my heart. I was such a Glicknick when I was a teenager, and I had always wanted a Glick University shirt. Oh, the memories of listening to WBZ with the clock radio under my pillow...
You will be missed Professor Glick
I'M GLAD I WENT TO THE RADIO AWARDS IN DEDHAM A FEW MONTHS AGO.
LARRY DID A GREAT JOB THERE. I TAPED THE SHOW HE DID THAT NIGHT WITH STVEV LAVELLE.
YOU WERE THE BEST LARRY!!!
Larry, and Jerry Williams, and Johnny Most, were "Boston radio" for me growing up. And I grew up in New Jersey, where I'd fall asleep with the "ear plug" of a Motorola transistor radio in my ear, listening to Jerry Williams. And I'd wake up early listening to Larry Glick.
I remember his "Gunga Din" bit, and of course shooting listeners off the air.
This is one of the greatest overnight station host .. My mom told me to listen to this station years ago in the graveyard and i'm hooked.. R.I.P Glick!
Larry Glick was truly one of the greatest in establishing Boston's notoriety for live overnight talk radio. While not trying to compare Larry to Steve LeVeille, I think Steve and everyone else owe a debt of gratitude to Larry. It was this well established part of Boston radio culture that led to Steve being recalled to the air after WBZ's outrageous cost cutting attempt.
Boston is, and will always be, one of the great hubs of live overnight talk radio, and it's WBZ's legacy to maintain that.
I too was a Glicknic, he knew how to talk to people and get them to tell him most anything. The guys and gals who own the airwaves now should take a page from the book this man wrote about respect for the caller and not assume their opinion is the right opinion. Larry Glick and Jerry Williams paved the way for the likes of the boys that are now railing about one thing or another and if you do not agree they hang up on you and then go on to make fun of you especially if you seemed more intelligent or more informed then the guy hosting the show.
Rest in eternal Peace Larry, my condolensces to your family and friends!
I met the man once in studio many years ago, and listened to his program many times while on the road. On a good night the 50,000 watt signal could be picked up in Florida. R.I.P.
Larry Glick is why I listen to the radio. I worked the 2nd shift for many years and would laugh all the way home to Lorenzo and his crew. R.I.P.
Larry, you will be welcome here with open arms...my friend.
Larry Glick is why I listen to the radio. I worked the 2nd shift for many years and would laugh all the way home to Lorenzo and his crew. R.I.P.
I too am the pround recipient of 2 Glick Univ. T-shirts and still have a cassette recording of me as a teen talking to him on the air. He will be missed!
I had the good fortune to interview Larry in 1986 at the WBZ studios for a high school English paper. He spent a 1/2 hour for the interview, then invited me and my Dad to sit in the studio for the first segment of his show. It was great. He was as generous, thoughtful and entertaining in person as he was on the air. Many of today's talking heads, who would rather berate guests and callers, would do well to learn something from him.
I live just east of Toronto and remember hearing Larry usually after the Bruins or Celtics had played on the West coast and he would follow immediately after on WBZ 103. He had a smooth style, never condescending or rude to his callers and seemed right at home behind the microphone. He will be missed.
All of the comments are right on...what sticks in my mind was Larry was the self-proclaimed 'Night Mayor ' (sic) of Boston. He was an original.
Larry will be missed. He was one of the legends of radio I was lucky enough to listen to (along with Norm Nathan). Looks like the only link to old-time radio is now Steve Leveille.
Here's a Michiganian who listened to Larry Glick at night, radio under the covers, after Bruins games. The Spirit of 103 will never die. I second the request for Larry Glick highlights -- and please post them on the Web so we can all hear them.
Larry Glick helped me make it through college. From 1980 through 1984, I'd listen to Larry while in Hampton, Va. R-I-P Larry.
Another sad moment in the history of Boston radio. Larry is now with the greats like Norm Nathan, Jess Cain and Don Gillis, all of whom made Boston radio unique and special. My late mother-in-law who lived in New York and then moved to the Boston area was one of your biggest fans.
Larry was truly a legend in his own time. Not only loved by his listeners but also by his piers. Nobody then or since can come close to his dynamic personality that still touches people 30 years after he left the airwaves. It was refreshing to hear him on Steve Lavelle's broadcast in recent years and he still exhibited the wit and charm even at his advanced years. Thanks for the opportunity to express the many fond feelings for Larry that are obviously coming through on these pages.
Loved to listen to Larry as a kid in the summer when I could stay up late enough- plastic transistor radio hidden under my pillow- great memories. I was the proud owner of a Larry Glick Lemonade stand.
Rest in peace, sir, and thanks.
Larry I will miss you. Every time you called my day was better. As my friend and business partner ( in our short venture with Barbara ) we had such fun. From the 1st time we met in 1958 until today I have been blessed to have you as my friend. Linda and I are so sad for your familie's loss. We love you Larry.
Linda and Arthur Allen
I don't know why, but I was thinking about Larry just the other day. Wondering where he was in retirement. Like so many other posts here, I too got my first transister radio and found Larry somehow late at night on WBZ radio. I too listened way too late into the night/morning under my covers in bed, freaking out over that graveyard marauder tape. I can't watch scarey movies today and that's probably why (no big loss there), but the memories all came back today when I heard the bad news.
Larry was the best! RIP Larry.
I loved Larry and remember his program about the kangaroo's. We will all miss him dearly.
in 1977I was turned on to the show by a friend while living in Rochester NY. I would listen from my AM radio, signal drifting in and out. When I moved to Boston in 80 I continued and still listen at night with headphones on. Sadly, I've seen many engaging personalities come and go, especially David Brudnoy.
What I remember most:
"Keep it clean" - when referring to the T-shirts.
RIP Larry. Lemme check...not bad. Thanks for the laughs.
These comments and fond memories are a lot of fun to read. From 1973 to 1975, I used to deliver morning newspapers at Cummins Towers (Roslindale) where I lived. I'd carry a transistor radio with me, so I'd catch the tail end of Larry Glick's show (yes, I remember "Commander Glick"), and then the beginning of Carl de Suze's show, because my radio only got AM stations (otherwise I might listen to the Big Mattress). They were great, along with Gil Santos and Dave Maynard. My mother would listen to WHDH, so I'd hear Jess Cain while eating breakfast. No shouting, no mean spiritedness, just fun.
HELLO LARRY! I loved listening to Larry Glick in the late 60's as a teenager growing up in Boston. To this day I still think of him when I use his phrase "Let's get the story behind the story"!
As a young teenager forty years ago Larry Glick got me hooked on talk radio. I used to hide with my Patrolman radio under the covers listening while my parents thought I was sleeping. He was a pioneer and I still miss his show.
Funny thing is, I don't remember at all if he was conservative or liberal!
Greg said it well. All "talk" radio in Boston just makes my blood boil.
Larry used to amuse and entertain. My husband and I were just saying we wished he was back on the air a couple of weeks ago. So sad. We always listened when we went to bed at night. Rest in Peace, Larry, and peace to his family.
Jeeze, I thought I was the only kid with an AM radio under his pillow that listened to Larry Glick. He probably had a larger underage audience than adult. My favorite is when he played the tape of the kid giggling saying Larry Glick over and over.
Larry Glick was perhaps the single most influential person in my life outside of my family. I was a card carrying Glicknick from the 7th grade on. I would wake my entire family at 3 A.M. while I talked with Larry on the air and shared leads for good guests and phone calls. He would always just call me "Kid". It was time to finally go to sleep when Larry would make a wake-up call to Dave Maynard. Looking back, his show in WBZ radio could be repeated in this day and age, we all loved the host and enjoyed each other company. We were the cult of Glick.
"A favor is a favor" Glick would respond in his best mafia mimic, while the theme from "Godfather" undertone played.
We love you Larry.! Listening to you while on my night time work rotation not only thorougly entertained me, but got me through the night. The eerie stories of encounters in the cemetary were some of the best. My wife and I loved your early morning sign off as we drove to work together. Listening to the farm and garden report, the anthem and the words that you ended your show with every time; Sayonara, ayer ayer, arrividerccie, al vita zein, sholom alechem and many others. Glickniks forever!!!!!!!
Larry,
Thank you for so many good memories. My grandmother first introduced me to you. I always laughed so hard at the Orangatan story--"Any which way but loose". You will be sorely missed.
I listened to Larry with the transistor under my pillow, too. I had an official Larry Glick lemonade stand back in the late 60's. With his passing, I realize how old I am!
Loved you Larry especially when you shot me off the air when I played my kazoo. Hope to see you in heaven someday. You were the best.
How 'bout a faaavor? A faaavor's a faaavor. Do you remember the Telaviv Tenors and the President's card game? Sure wish we could get copies of those. Maybe WBZ would replay them. Now that would be a faaavor. RIP Mr. Night Mayor of Boston.
So sorry to learn of Larry's passing. Having been on the air, I was always hoping to get a show just like Larry's. Lighthearted and jovial. Larry had a style all his own, like many talk show hosts. He really did make you laugh and truly forget your troubles of the day. In my thoughts, there will always be two people that stand out in front of all the others, and they are Larry Glick and Jerry Williams. They made radio bubble. Radio has changed dramatically, and many hosts can and should remember Larry and Jerry and incorporate their style into the show. I believe you can learn how to inflect and talk, but you can't learn how to create a large audience. There's alot of yelling on the air, but where is the fun? Rest in peace Larry and say hello to Jerry.
Loved those phone calls you made to the phone booths in Harvard Square. Most of the callers you shot off the air! Good Night Larry, see you later.. Hopefully you will have your show set up when I arrive. thank you
Larry Glick loved kids and was completely accepting of people of all ethnicities and politics. I was a frequent guest in the late 70's and early 80's and consider myself a personal friend. He was kind and good to the core. Just thinking about him is dejafun, he made people happy. sorry to lose him but the good memories will last forever. I hope there is a commemorative service in Boston.
Gil Lewis, the narrator of the "Graveyard Marauder".
The word "legendary" just doesn't do the man justice. It's amazing how many lives he touched.
Larry, you won't soon be forgotten.
i started to listen to talk radio on wmex with steve frederichs and heard your great one nite return with steve l, you where the best ! johny most, dave maynard, don kent ,jack chase,arch macdonald! etc etc
there should be a larry glick day! i only returned to bz" when it became broadcasting thru the internet , thanks bz" and steve l for the amazing memories!
LARRY you were one of a kind !!! may the heavens embrace you!!
going once , going twice
smitty
bonita springs fl
I used to listen to Larry in Belleville, Ontario CANADA with my transistor radio hidden under the covers late at nigtt. It was the 60's and the music was phenomenal!! Thanks Larry for those many evenings that I spent with you!
His was a unique world. I'm amazed he never went further in radio. He kept me laughing many a night as a kid, that's for sure.
I too was a devoted Glicknik. I was always thrilled when I got through and actually got to speak with the man himself. He always was kind to this then-13year old with nothing say. He will always be missed. Legal Seafood must be missing the greatest greeter ever.
I helped produce Larry's show on cable in the 80's with Tracey, Norm, Bob, Eric, John, "Rossie" and the upstart gang. We always looked forward to his infectious personality and laugh on Wednesday nights. He flew me out to Vegas for his wedding (or one of them) and a Don Rickles show. It was there he began addressing me as 'Yeshua' after I told him that he'd make the better Irishman whereas I was the better Jew. Truly a joy to be around. A million laughs. We love ya Larry...see you soon.
the end of an era.................
The Orangutan story. Ha Ha Ha.... Also Rex Trailer with the green mist coming up while flying with a tranquilized gorilla... Ha Ha Ha : )
Larry was an automatic when I was driving home from a concert, a movie or a party. His wise-cracking voice would stay with
my car from one end of New England to the other; a late-night companion with no equal, and an absolute must for helpiing smiling at-home listeners go to sleep and for keeping night-time drivers awake and entertained. Larry also was one of the major inspirations to help me quit smoking those nasty cigarettes! Good work, Larry! You were a mentor and one of a kind.
.. and it is so wonderful to see that I was not the only one falling asleep with the radio under my pillow!! Larry continues to bring people together....
Larry Glick was a character. I remember when I was young and needed a laugh , I would watch Steve Allen on TV , and listen to Larry Glick on the radio. They always would find these crazy characters , and they were never serious.
I remember only once that Larry Glick was serious to a caller. Someone called his show and seemed very depressed . Larry excussed himself and spoke to this person. I always wanted to open a Larry Glick's Lemonade Stand.
I also rember he was on the Board of Directors "The Society in Dedham for apprehending horse thieves.." Thanks - Rest In Peace."
I remember listening to Larry Glick when i was as young as 6 years old. I would have a radio under my pillow so no one else would know I was awake. Now in my early 30's, Boston has never seen anyone like him.
The Globe should have linked a n audio file of one of his shows for this article. I haven't heard him in years but would love to hear it one alst time. I was 14 in 1974 and lsitened every night. He was just plain great.