Fred Foy
Frederick William Foy | |
|---|---|
Detroit, Michigan | |
| Died | December 22, 2010 (aged 89) Woburn, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1946 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | 14th Special Service Company |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Other work | Radio and television announcer |
Frederick William Foy (March 27, 1921 – December 22, 2010) was an American radio and television announcer and actor. He is best known for his narration of
Shortly after graduating from high school in 1938, Foy began in broadcasting with a part-time position at WMBC, a 250-watt independent station in Detroit. He moved to WXYZ in 1942, but World War II interrupted his radio career.
World War II
He was inducted August 28, 1942, entering the American armed forces September 11, 1942. Attached to the 14th
Foy scripted his own shows, including Up To Scratch, a lively program of the current hit tunes, and Shows on Parade, which he hosted. When he wrote and directed Christmas Overseas, broadcast from the
Radio
After the war, Foy returned to WXYZ in Detroit. He took over the position of announcer and narrator for radio's The Lone Ranger beginning July 2, 1948 and continuing until the series ended on September 3, 1954. He understudied the title role and stepped into the part on March 29, 1954, when Brace Beemer had laryngitis. His long run as announcer and narrator of The Lone Ranger made the Foy's distinctive voice a radio trademark. He was also heard on radio's The Green Hornet and Challenge of the Yukon.[2][3]
His stentorian delivery of the program's lead-in thrilled his audience for years and helped the program achieve even greater popularity and status. Most radio historians agree that Foy's Lone Ranger introduction is the most recognized opening in American radio:
- Hi-Yo, Silver! A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty "Hi-Yo Silver"... The Lone Ranger! With his faithful Indian companion, Tonto, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and order in the early Western United States. Nowhere in the pages of history can one find a greater champion of justice. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come the thundering hoof-beats of the great horse Silver. The Lone Ranger rides again![4]
Television
In 1955, Foy reprised his famous "Return with us now..." opening narration for The Lone Ranger television series (1949–57) in syndication (Actor
Awards
Fred Foy was inducted into the
Foy performed his "Return with us now..." Lone Ranger opening narration live at the Hollywood Bowl in August 2000, with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and conductor John Mauceri. In 1986, he wrote his autobiography, Fred Foy from XYZ to ABC: A Fond Recollection, and he has also released a 45-minute CD/cassette of memories, Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch.
Death
Fred Foy died on December 21, 2010, of natural causes.[5]
References
- ^ Harmon, Jim. Radio Mystery and Adventure and Its Appearances in Film, Television and Other Media. McFarland, 2003.
- ^ Absolute Michigan
- ^ Radiogoldinex[permanent dead link]
- ^ Benjamin. Scott. "Profile of Fred Foy"
- ^ Tucker, Ken (22 December 2010). "Fred Foy, 'Lone Ranger' announcer, has died at age 89". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
Listen to
- Fred Foy's Lone Ranger edited for TV opening
- Leonard Lopate interviews Fred Foy[permanent dead link]
External links
- Fred Foy photos, audio and video of Fred and family as well as old time radio
- Fred Foy photos and articles
- Fred Foy radio credits Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine
- Fred Foy at The Interviews: An Oral History of Television
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