Petey Greene
Petey Greene | |
---|---|
Born | Ralph Waldo Greene, Jr. January 23, 1931 Washington, D.C., United States |
Died | January 10, 1984 Washington, D.C., United States | (aged 52)
Spouse | Judy Greene |
Children | 4 |
Career | |
Station(s) | WOL WDCA |
Style | Radio talk show host |
Country | United States |
Website | www |
Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene, Jr. (January 23, 1931 – January 10, 1984), was an American television and radio talk-show host. A two-time
Early life
Born Ralph Waldo Greene, Jr. in
Greene attended Stevens Elementary School and
In January 1960, Greene was convicted of armed robbery in Washington and sentenced to ten years imprisonment at
Career
In the summer of 1966, Greene was hired by
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.[6] The audio of this interview was eventually 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.
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 reform.[7] He rallied against poverty and racism on his shows and on the streets, participating in demonstrations during the height of his popularity. Following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968, and during the subsequent riots that erupted throughout the United States, Greene made statements on air that were credited with helping quell the riots in Washington, D.C.[8]
Death
Greene was diagnosed with liver cancer in 1982.[9] As a result of his failing health, his career as a radio and television personality ended. Greene died on January 10, 1984, thirteen days before his 53rd birthday.[10] He was survived by his wife, Judy C. Greene, and their four children: Ralph Waldo III (affectionately known to family as Pine), Petra, Renee, and Melanie. Approximately 10,000 mourners lined up outside Union Wesley AME Zion Church to pay their last respects.[9]
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 Greene and author Lurma Rackley.
Greene was portrayed by Don Cheadle in the 2007 film Talk to Me, which was inspired by 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".[11]
References
- ^ Lurma Rackley (July 8, 2007). "The Voice of D.C., Still Stirring It Up". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
- ^ a b Jennifer Frey (March 5, 2013). "Retroactivist: The Black Power of Petey Greene Arts & Living". Retrieved September 17, 2016.
- ^ "Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene Arts & Living". PBS. 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
- ^ See Bachrach. Greene's many feats and "Petey-isms" have altered through the years; some reports (see Milloy) say that the inmate he "saved" climbed a flagpole instead of a water tower.
- ^ See Milloy.
- ^ Magnus Lee (2009-10-27), HOWARD STERN IN BLACK FACE W PETEY GREEN, archived from the original on 2021-12-15, retrieved 2018-10-27
- ^ "The Petey Greene Program". Retrieved September 17, 2016.
- ^ Phillip Jackson (May 5, 2014). "Petey Greene Talks Down the Riots, 1968". Retrieved September 17, 2016.
- ^ a b James Hamblin (August 23, 2013). "How Not To Eat A Watermelon". The Atlantic. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
- ^ J.Y. Smith (January 12, 1984). "TV Commentator Petey Greene Dies". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
- ^ Rackley, Lurma, "Blazing His Way on D.C.'s Airwaves", The Washington Post, February 1, 2009. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
Bibliography
- Bachrach, Judy (January 24, 1977). "Petey Greene, Star of His Own Show". Washington Post, C1.
- Frey, Jennifer (July 30, 2006). "Retroactivist: The Black Power of Petey Greene; 'Talk' Goes on Location, Back in the Day". Washington Post, D1.
- Milloy, Courtland (March 9, 1978). "Petey Greene Goes to the White House". Washington Post, C1.
- Rackley, Lurma (2003). Laugh If You Like, Ain't a Damn Thing Funny: The Life story of Ralph "Petey" Greene as told to Lurma Rackley. United States: Xlibris. ISBN 1-4134-3289-1.
- Smith, J.Y. (January 12, 1984). "TV Commentator Petey Greene Dies". Washington Post, B1.
External links
- 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"