Paul Sullivan (radio)
Encyclopedia
Paul Sullivan was born in Lowell, Massachusetts. Paul Harold "Sully" Sullivan was an accomplished radio talk-show host
of "The Paul Sullivan Show" on WBZ radio. He was best known for his blue-collar politics, and plebeian attitude.
and lived most of his life in Tewksbury, MA
where his father and grandfather had been on the town's Board of Selectmen. Sullivan would later serve on the Board himself. He graduated from Austin Preparatory School
in 1975, from UMass-Lowell
with a degree in political science, and from Simmons College
with a Masters in Communications Management.
Sullivan began his career as a columnist and political editor for the Lowell Sun
in 1991. His radio career began at WLLH
in Lowell during the late 1980s. He hosted the "Morning Magazine" program. He started broadcasting in Boston as a substitute talker on WRKO
in 1996. Sullivan would later appear on a TV news roundtable on WCVB
called "Five on Five." It was on this show that a popular WBZ talk show host, David Brudnoy
, spotted Sullivan and recruited him for WBZ radio. He began working as a talk show host for WBZ in 1999. Upon his death, Dan Rea
took over his time slot where the show was renamed Nightside.
Sullivan also was a columnist and political editor of the Lowell Sun newspaper, in Lowell.
picked Sullivan as his successor for the evening WBZ talk radio slot. Sullivan himself was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma
and underwent surgery just weeks earlier in November 2004. He continued to fight his cancer until leaving the show during the summer of 2007 after five brain surgeries.
Sullivan died on September 9, 2007.
Sullivan was an adjunct professor of journalism and communications at Middlesex Community College, where his two daughters later attended. Shortly after his death, Middlesex Community College named their leadership institute after him.
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
of "The Paul Sullivan Show" on WBZ radio. He was best known for his blue-collar politics, and plebeian attitude.
Biography
Sullivan was born in Lowell, MALowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
and lived most of his life in Tewksbury, MA
Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Tewksbury is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 28,961 at the 2010 census.- History :Tewksbury was first settled in 1637 and was officially incorporated in 1734 from Billerica. Like Tewksbury Township, New Jersey, it is named after the town of Tewkesbury,...
where his father and grandfather had been on the town's Board of Selectmen. Sullivan would later serve on the Board himself. He graduated from Austin Preparatory School
Austin Preparatory School
Austin Preparatory School is a co-educational Catholic school located in Reading, Massachusetts. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. It was founded by the Order of Saint Augustine in 1961...
in 1975, from UMass-Lowell
University of Massachusetts Lowell
The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a public university in Lowell, Massachusetts, and part of the University of Massachusetts system...
with a degree in political science, and from Simmons College
Simmons College
Simmons College may refer to:*Simmons College of Kentucky, a historically black college in Louisville, Kentucky*Simmons College , a liberal arts college in Boston, Massachusetts...
with a Masters in Communications Management.
Sullivan began his career as a columnist and political editor for the Lowell Sun
Lowell Sun
The Sun is a daily newspaper based in Lowell, Massachusetts, United States, serving towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the Greater Lowell area and beyond. Its circulation is about 50,000...
in 1991. His radio career began at WLLH
WLLH
WLLH is a radio station in the Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts, licensed to Lowell, Massachusetts. The station is owned by Gois Broadcasting, LLC, and airs a tropical music format. In addition to a transmitter in Lowell, there is a synchronous transmitter in Lawrence, together forming...
in Lowell during the late 1980s. He hosted the "Morning Magazine" program. He started broadcasting in Boston as a substitute talker on WRKO
WRKO
WRKO is a radio station based in Boston, Massachusetts, currently owned by Entercom. Its transmitter is located in Burlington, Massachusetts, next to the Burlington Mall.-1920-1940:...
in 1996. Sullivan would later appear on a TV news roundtable on WCVB
WCVB-TV
WCVB-TV, channel 5, is a television station located in Boston, Massachusetts, owned by Hearst Television and affiliated with the ABC Television Network. WCVB-TV's studios and transmitter are co-located in Needham, Massachusetts. WCVB is also one of six Boston television stations seen in Canada by...
called "Five on Five." It was on this show that a popular WBZ talk show host, David Brudnoy
David Brudnoy
David Brudnoy was an American talk radio host in Boston from 1976 to 2004. His radio talk show aired on WBZ radio. He was known for espousing his libertarian views on a wide range of political issues, in a manner that was courteous. Thanks to WBZ's wide signal reach, he gained a following from...
, spotted Sullivan and recruited him for WBZ radio. He began working as a talk show host for WBZ in 1999. Upon his death, Dan Rea
Dan Rea
Dan Rea is the host of "NightSide with Dan Rea" WBZ radio, following the death of Paul Sullivan.-Education and background:A graduate of Boston Latin School, Boston State College and Boston University School of Law, Rea is a native Bostonian who now lives in Sherborn, Massachusetts.-Career:Prior to...
took over his time slot where the show was renamed Nightside.
Sullivan also was a columnist and political editor of the Lowell Sun newspaper, in Lowell.
Family Life
Paul fathered three children, Ryan, Ashley and Kerri. Ryan Sullivan (Born January 1983) is an Assistant District Attorney for Middlesex County in Massachusetts. Ashley Sullivan was featured on American Idol on the 10th season in 2011.Illness
Hours before his death of cancer in 2004, David BrudnoyDavid Brudnoy
David Brudnoy was an American talk radio host in Boston from 1976 to 2004. His radio talk show aired on WBZ radio. He was known for espousing his libertarian views on a wide range of political issues, in a manner that was courteous. Thanks to WBZ's wide signal reach, he gained a following from...
picked Sullivan as his successor for the evening WBZ talk radio slot. Sullivan himself was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
and underwent surgery just weeks earlier in November 2004. He continued to fight his cancer until leaving the show during the summer of 2007 after five brain surgeries.
Sullivan died on September 9, 2007.
Sullivan was an adjunct professor of journalism and communications at Middlesex Community College, where his two daughters later attended. Shortly after his death, Middlesex Community College named their leadership institute after him.