Petey Greene
Encyclopedia
Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene Jr (January 23, 1931 – January 10, 1984) was an African American
television and radio talk show host. A two-time Emmy Award
-winner, Greene overcame drug addiction and a prison sentence for armed robbery to become one of the most prominent media personalities in Washington, DC. On his shows, Greene often discussed issues such as racism
, poverty
, drug usage
, and current events among others.
, the son of Ralph Waldo Greene Sr and Margaret Floyd. Greene was raised by his maternal grandmother on 23rd Street NW in Washington, DC
Greene attended Stevens Elementary School and Cardozo Senior High School in Washington; he dropped out in the ninth grade. Green then enlisted in the United States Army
in 1951. He served in the Korean War
and was an Army medic to wounded soldiers. Green was discharged from service shortly after the war ended in 1953.
In June 1960, Greene was convicted of armed robbery at a grocery store in Washington and sentenced to ten years imprisonment at Lorton Reformatory
in Fairfax County, Virginia
. There he became the prison disc jockey
which made him popular and well liked by fellow prisoners. His loquaciousness soon proved beneficial in other ways. In May 1966, Greene persuaded a fellow inmate to climb to the top of the prison water tower and threaten suicide, so that Greene would be able to "save his life" by talking him down. "It took me six months to get him to go up there", he later recalled on his talk show. This act, combined with his generally good behavior, earned him a reduction in his prison sentence and parole the following week.
to work as a disc jockey at AM radio station WOL-1450
and to host his own show. Rapping With Petey Greene aired in the Washington Metropolitan Area
throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. His prominence grew, and soon he was hosting his own television show, Petey Greene's Washington, with a six-year run from 1976 to 1982 on WDCA-20
. This show won two Emmy Award
s. On March 8, 1978, he was invited as a guest to the White House
by United States President Jimmy Carter
to honour visiting Yugoslavia
n President Josip Broz Tito
. He famously quipped to the Washington Post that he "stole a spoon" during the evening gala.
In 1981, Greene had radio personality Howard Stern
on his show for what was one of Stern's first television appearances. Stern appeared on the show in blackface
, which Greene found funny. The audio of this interview eventually was played as part of the 2007 Sirius satellite radio documentary The History of Howard Stern, in which Stern called Greene "way ahead of his time". The two shared a mutual admiration, as they both dealt with such controversial subjects as race and politics, with Stern since recognizing him as an influence. Stern later called Greene a "broadcasting genius" in his 1993 book Private Parts
.
. He rallied against poverty and racism on his shows and on the streets, participating in demonstrations during the height of his popularity. In 1968, he spoke at Georgetown University
to discuss the riots caused by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr and his opposition to the Vietnam War
. Following the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr in April 1968, and during the subsequent riots that erupted throughout the USA, Greene made statements on air that were credited with quelling the riots in Washington DC.
in 1982. His career as a radio and television personality ended due to his ailing health. Greene died on January 10, 1984, thirteen days before his 53rd birthday. He was survived by his wife, Judy Greene, and their four children: Ralph Waldo III, Petra, Renee, and Melanie. Approximately 10,000 mourners lined up outside Union Wesley AME Zion Church to pay their last respects.
.
Greene was portrayed by Don Cheadle
in the 2007 film Talk To Me
, which is based on his life and career. Greene was also profiled in a 2009 episode of the PBS series Independent Lens
entitled "Adjust Your Colour: The Truth of Petey Greene".
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
television and radio talk show host. A two-time Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
-winner, Greene overcame drug addiction and a prison sentence for armed robbery to become one of the most prominent media personalities in Washington, DC. On his shows, Greene often discussed issues such as racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
, poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
, drug usage
Drug usage
Drug usage is an umbrella term that may be used to refer to:* Substance abuse* Responsible drug use* Recreational drug use* Medical cannabis...
, and current events among others.
Early life
Born Ralph Waldo Greene Jr in Louisville, KentuckyLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, the son of Ralph Waldo Greene Sr and Margaret Floyd. Greene was raised by his maternal grandmother on 23rd Street NW in Washington, DC
Greene attended Stevens Elementary School and Cardozo Senior High School in Washington; he dropped out in the ninth grade. Green then enlisted in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1951. He served in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and was an Army medic to wounded soldiers. Green was discharged from service shortly after the war ended in 1953.
In June 1960, Greene was convicted of armed robbery at a grocery store in Washington and sentenced to ten years imprisonment at Lorton Reformatory
Lorton Reformatory
The Lorton Reformatory was a prison built for the District of Columbia, United States. It was operated by the District of Columbia Department of Corrections.-History:...
in Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
. There he became the prison disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
which made him popular and well liked by fellow prisoners. His loquaciousness soon proved beneficial in other ways. In May 1966, Greene persuaded a fellow inmate to climb to the top of the prison water tower and threaten suicide, so that Greene would be able to "save his life" by talking him down. "It took me six months to get him to go up there", he later recalled on his talk show. This act, combined with his generally good behavior, earned him a reduction in his prison sentence and parole the following week.
Career
In the summer of 1966, Greene was hired by Dewey HughesDewey Hughes
Dewey Hughes is an African American former radio personality and was Petey Greene's manager.Dewey Hughes was born in Washington, D.C.. Hughes was introduced to Petey Greene by his older brother Milo at Lorton Reformatory and hired Greene to work as a disc jockey at WOL...
to work as a disc jockey at AM radio station WOL-1450
WOL (AM)
WOL is an Urban Talk radio station in Washington, DC. Broadcasting on 1450 AM, this is the flagship radio station of Radio One.The station was Washington's top rated rhythm and blues music station through the 1960s and 1970s...
and to host his own show. Rapping With Petey Greene aired in the Washington Metropolitan Area
Washington Metropolitan Area
The Washington Metropolitan Area is the metropolitan area centered on Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. The area includes all of the federal district and parts of the U.S...
throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. His prominence grew, and soon he was hosting his own television show, Petey Greene's Washington, with a six-year run from 1976 to 1982 on WDCA-20
WDCA
WDCA, virtual channel 20, is a television station in Washington, D.C.. Owned by Fox Television Stations, a division of the News Corporation, WDCA is a sister station to Fox network outlet WTTG , and is affiliated with the co-owned MyNetworkTV programming service...
. This show won two Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
s. On March 8, 1978, he was invited as a guest to the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
by United States President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
to honour visiting Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
n President Josip Broz Tito
Josip Broz Tito
Marshal Josip Broz Tito – 4 May 1980) was a Yugoslav revolutionary and statesman. While his presidency has been criticized as authoritarian, Tito was a popular public figure both in Yugoslavia and abroad, viewed as a unifying symbol for the nations of the Yugoslav federation...
. He famously quipped to the Washington Post that he "stole a spoon" during the evening gala.
In 1981, Greene had radio personality Howard Stern
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
on his show for what was one of Stern's first television appearances. Stern appeared on the show in blackface
Blackface
Blackface is a form of theatrical makeup used in minstrel shows, and later vaudeville, in which performers create a stereotyped caricature of a black person. The practice gained popularity during the 19th century and contributed to the proliferation of stereotypes such as the "happy-go-lucky darky...
, which Greene found funny. The audio of this interview eventually was played as part of the 2007 Sirius satellite radio documentary The History of Howard Stern, in which Stern called Greene "way ahead of his time". The two shared a mutual admiration, as they both dealt with such controversial subjects as race and politics, with Stern since recognizing him as an influence. Stern later called Greene a "broadcasting genius" in his 1993 book Private Parts
Private Parts (book)
Private Parts is the first autobiography of American radio presenter Howard Stern. Released on October 7, 1993 by Simon & Schuster, it is the fastest-selling book in the company's history. It was later adapted into a film in 1997 starring Stern and his radio show staff as themselves...
.
Activism
Aside from being a radio personality and talk show host, Greene was also a community activist, joining the United Planning Organization and founding the Ralph Waldo Greene Community Centre and Efforts for Ex-Convicts. This organization remains devoted to helping former prisoners succeed in legitimate ways and to advocate prison reformPrison reform
Prison reform is the attempt to improve conditions inside prisons, aiming at a more effective penal system.-History:Prisons have only been used as the primary punishment for criminal acts in the last couple of centuries...
. He rallied against poverty and racism on his shows and on the streets, participating in demonstrations during the height of his popularity. In 1968, he spoke at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
to discuss the riots caused by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr and his opposition to the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Following the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King Jr in April 1968, and during the subsequent riots that erupted throughout the USA, Greene made statements on air that were credited with quelling the riots in Washington DC.
Death
Greene was diagnosed with liver cancerLiver cancer
Liver tumors or hepatic tumors are tumors or growths on or in the liver . Several distinct types of tumors can develop in the liver because the liver is made up of various cell types. These growths can be benign or malignant...
in 1982. His career as a radio and television personality ended due to his ailing health. Greene died on January 10, 1984, thirteen days before his 53rd birthday. He was survived by his wife, Judy Greene, and their four children: Ralph Waldo III, Petra, Renee, and Melanie. Approximately 10,000 mourners lined up outside Union Wesley AME Zion Church to pay their last respects.
Legacy
Greene's autobiography, Laugh If You Like, Ain't a Damn Thing Funny, was published in 2003. The book is a result of conversations recorded between him and author Lurma RackleyLurma Rackley
Lurma M. Rackley is an American author, journalist and publicist. The daughter of a civil rights activist, she participated in civil rights demonstrations and was arrested sixteen times before she was thirteen. After college, she became a journalist and later, a publicist with the Washington,...
.
Greene was portrayed by Don Cheadle
Don Cheadle
Donald Frank "Don" Cheadle, Jr. is an American film actor and producer. Cheadle rose to prominence in the late 1990s and the early 2000s for his supporting roles in the Steven Soderbergh-directed films Out of Sight, Traffic, and Ocean's Eleven...
in the 2007 film Talk To Me
Talk to Me (2007 film)
Talk To Me is a 2007 biographical film about Washington, D.C. radio personality Ralph "Petey" Greene, an ex-con who became a popular talk show host and community activist, and Dewey Hughes, his friend and manager...
, which is based on his life and career. Greene was also profiled in a 2009 episode of the PBS series Independent Lens
Independent Lens
Airing weekly on PBS through ITVS, the Emmy Award-winning series Independent Lens introduces new drama and documentary films made by independent filmmakers. Past seasons of Independent Lens have been presented by hosts Angela Bassett, Don Cheadle, Susan Sarandon, Edie Falco, Terrence Howard, Maggie...
entitled "Adjust Your Colour: The Truth of Petey Greene".
External links
- PeteyGreene.com
- NPR's "All Things Considered" July 13, 2007 - includes audio clips and review of the film Talk to Me
- Adjust Your "Color: The Truth of Petey Greene - Exclusive 20-minute Preview"