Rick Beckett
Encyclopedia
Richard Blaine Beckett was an American
radio
broadcaster.
Rick was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan
and moved to Grand Rapids
shortly thereafter. He began his radio career while still in high school at Union High School
in Grand Rapids at WZZM-FM in 1970, where he worked part time on weekends. His career started as a result of his involvement in a Junior Achievement
program called HERO. Shortly after his graduation from high school in 1972, Rick was fired from WZZM. He moved on to WLAV and worked there until early 1973. He then received his first full-time job at WGTO-AM 540 (now WFLF (AM)) in Cypress Gardens, Florida
. Beckett returned to WZZM-FM in 1976, which by this time became WZZR-FM (now WLHT
). He worked evenings for the majority of his time there, but eventually worked the afternoon drive.
Beckett was fired from WZZR in 1980 and moved on to do radio at WAAY-AM (now WLOR
) in Huntsville, Alabama
. He was fired from WAAY in mid-1984 and returned to Cypress Gardens to work at WZNG-AM (now WHNR
). He was also fired from WZNG.
Beckett eventually returned to Grand Rapids and began a stint at WKLQ on their "Q Morning Zoo" program in 1987. Beckett and the other members of the "Q Zoo" (Darla Jaye
and Scott Winters
) left WKLQ on September 12, 1995. On September 25, 1995, the three signed on the air at WGRD. Jaye left WGRD in September 1997, but the show continued with Beckett and Winters as the main players. Beckett was fired from WGRD in August 2002, Winters was fired several weeks later. Beckett had health problems over the years, including being a recovered alcoholic, diabetes, and nerve damage in his legs due to diabetes.
In April 2003, Beckett and Winters joined the staff at WOOD (AM)
, where they started their talk radio career. "The Rick and Scott Show" was one of WOOD-AM's most popular programs and was a ratings winner in their time slot. In 2007, they won the Michigan Association of Broadcasters
award for Midday Show Broadcast Team of the Year.
On February 26, 2009 at 8:56pm, Beckett called his girlfriend, Debra Lowe to report he was having a heart attack. She called 911 and first responders were dispatched to Beckett's house. Paramedics arrived and broke into his house to try and revive Beckett. He died a short time later at a Grand Rapids area hospital.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
broadcaster.
Rick was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
and moved to Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
shortly thereafter. He began his radio career while still in high school at Union High School
Union High School
Union High School may refer to:*Union High School , Modoc, Indiana*Union High School , La Porte City, Iowa*Union High School , Grand Rapids, Michigan*Union High School , Union, Missouri...
in Grand Rapids at WZZM-FM in 1970, where he worked part time on weekends. His career started as a result of his involvement in a Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement or JA or JA Worldwide is a non-profit youth organization that was founded in 1919 by Horace A. Moses, Theodore Vail, and senator Winthrop M. Crane. JA focuses on educating kids in K-12 about the free enterprise system...
program called HERO. Shortly after his graduation from high school in 1972, Rick was fired from WZZM. He moved on to WLAV and worked there until early 1973. He then received his first full-time job at WGTO-AM 540 (now WFLF (AM)) in Cypress Gardens, Florida
Cypress Gardens, Florida
Cypress Gardens is a census-designated place in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 8,844 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. Beckett returned to WZZM-FM in 1976, which by this time became WZZR-FM (now WLHT
WLHT
WLHT-FM, also known as "CHANNEL 95-7" , is a hot adult contemporary music formatted radio station in Grand Rapids, Michigan owned by Townsquare Media. Until late April 2006, the station was the home of the husband-and-wife morning team of Dave & Geri.-WKLW, WZZM-FM, and WZZR:The station signed on...
). He worked evenings for the majority of his time there, but eventually worked the afternoon drive.
Beckett was fired from WZZR in 1980 and moved on to do radio at WAAY-AM (now WLOR
WLOR
WLOR is a radio station licensed to Huntsville, Alabama, USA, that serves the greater Tennessee Valley area. The station carries a mix of oldies music, talk radio, and sports coverage. WLOR is part of the Black Crow Media Group and the broadcast license is held by BCA Radio, LLC,...
) in Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....
. He was fired from WAAY in mid-1984 and returned to Cypress Gardens to work at WZNG-AM (now WHNR
WHNR
WHNR is a radio station broadcasting a Regional Mexican format. Licensed to Cypress Gardens, Florida, USA, the station serves the Lakeland/Winter Haven Arbitron market. The station is currently owned by La Poderosa LLC..-History:...
). He was also fired from WZNG.
Beckett eventually returned to Grand Rapids and began a stint at WKLQ on their "Q Morning Zoo" program in 1987. Beckett and the other members of the "Q Zoo" (Darla Jaye
Darla Jaye
Darla Jaye is a talk show host at radio station KMBZ in Kansas City, Missouri. Until July 1, 2005, Darla Jaye hosted the afternoon show at WVNN in Huntsville, Alabama....
and Scott Winters
Scott Winters
Richard Scott Winters is an American radio talk show host.Winters is a 1981 graduate of Union High School in Grand Rapids. After graduating high school, he began working in the commercial printing industry...
) left WKLQ on September 12, 1995. On September 25, 1995, the three signed on the air at WGRD. Jaye left WGRD in September 1997, but the show continued with Beckett and Winters as the main players. Beckett was fired from WGRD in August 2002, Winters was fired several weeks later. Beckett had health problems over the years, including being a recovered alcoholic, diabetes, and nerve damage in his legs due to diabetes.
In April 2003, Beckett and Winters joined the staff at WOOD (AM)
WOOD (AM)
WOOD is a news/talk radio station broadcasting at 1300 kHz and 106.9 FM in Michigan, United States. WOOD-AM is licensed to Grand Rapids, Michigan and WOOD-FM to Muskegon, Michigan.-Full-service station:...
, where they started their talk radio career. "The Rick and Scott Show" was one of WOOD-AM's most popular programs and was a ratings winner in their time slot. In 2007, they won the Michigan Association of Broadcasters
Michigan Association of Broadcasters
The Michigan Association of Broadcasters represents radio and television broadcasters across the U.S. state of Michigan. It gives out yearly awards to both of these categories, including "Lifetime Achievement", "Hall of Fame", and "Broadcast Excellence Awards."...
award for Midday Show Broadcast Team of the Year.
On February 26, 2009 at 8:56pm, Beckett called his girlfriend, Debra Lowe to report he was having a heart attack. She called 911 and first responders were dispatched to Beckett's house. Paramedics arrived and broke into his house to try and revive Beckett. He died a short time later at a Grand Rapids area hospital.