Boston television has turned out some outstanding meteorologists through the years with one of the best periods taking place in the 1970s and 80s...
Don Kent, of WBZ-TV Channel 4, led the way with his commanding presence and amazing skill at getting the forecast right. Pleasant but serious and slightly monotone with an Underdog/Wally Cox kind of voice, Kent was born to be a weatherman. He knew the terminology like the back of his hand and seemed like one who could have taught the art and science of this profession at a college. He didn't like it at all when the anchors teased him about being wrong (didn't happen that much, though!). Because of his expertise, Kent quickly became a household name. When the subject was weather, it's almost like everyone in the Boston area said collectively, "What did Don Kent forecast?"
Kent died on March 2, 2010. We miss his gentlemanly presence and legendary forecasts.
Other favorites:
Bruce Schwoegler, Channel 4. Slightly hyper and ultra confident, he had good hair and a sense of humor --and was very entertaining. He also had one of the all-time great laughs! Met him once at the former Ararat restaurant in Watertown, Mass., and he seemed like the nicest person in the world. Funny and full of personality, sort of like your favorite uncle.
Bob Copeland, WCVB-TV, Channel 5. A real gentleman who was clearly into his craft and every bit as accurate as Don Kent. He had a cool 1970s look with curly hair and a mustache. Bob had an understated delivery, but his message always came across just fine to us viewers that wanted the truth and nothing but the truth when it came to local weather.
Bill Hovey, Channel 5. He had a bit of a nerd look with a huge forehead and big glasses, but, wow, what a fantastic weatherman. I'd rather have Hovey on than any of the present day Hollywood movie star-like, Ken and Barbie doll meteorologists! Seemed like an incredibly nice man, too.
Two weathermen from back in the day still grace the airwaves to this very day: Harvey Leonard on Channel 5 (used to be on Channel 7) and occasionally in guest apperances, retired meteorologist Barry Burbank, onChannel 4. Both are phenomenal meteorologists!
Who was your favorite Boston weatherman during the 1960s or 1970s? Feel free to share your thoughts here!
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I remember Bruce Schwoegler when he was a substitute teacher of mine from Boston Technical High School in the late 60s - early 70s.
ReplyDeleteWow, how was he as a sub teacher?
DeleteDon Kent, of course, was the best, but I think Dick Albert deserves a mention, though he came to Channel 5 after the Blizzard of '78, from some foreign part of the country (that great mass of land west of 495).
ReplyDeleteI think he was from the midwest, but could be wrong. I remember playing tennis against him at an event in Dedham and there was a close shot. I made no call and he came over to ask me. I said "TTTC", which of course, was one of his TV weather prediction routines (too tough to call). He thought it was pretty funny. Nice guy, as I remember.
DeleteDenver, San Francisco, Albuquerque.
DeleteDickie was from Newton, but was an Air Force meteorologist before going on TV. He didn’t come back to Boston until after the snow melted in ‘78. Boy I do miss his forecasts.
DeleteI remember the commercal with "Dickie says there's a storm Brewing."
DeleteHow about Stu Soroka, who was like the hippie dippy weatherman of Boston?
ReplyDeleteHow about Stuart Soroka, who was like the hippie dippy weatherman of Boston?
ReplyDeleteDavid, I remember Stuart Saroka. Yes, he seemed like a bit of a free spirit, but also seemed to be a tremendous meteorologist.
DeleteI once actually, literally saw Stu's toupee stand still, facing straight ahead, when his head turned to face the map, leaving his toupee sideways on his head. Funniest thing I've ever seen on weather!
DeleteRoland Boucher Channel 7 - Late 60s??
DeleteShelby Scott known as the Hero of New England Weather. Poor woman! WBZ sent her out in every storm, hurricane, blizzard. The bigger the storm the more she reported from the side of some road mostly around the Framingham area.
ReplyDeleteShe was a trooper and a darn good reporter!
DeleteDick Albert who passed away today.
ReplyDeleteHe was a great one who I should have included on the list. I loved how authentic he was and the unique sense of humor. He was also a darn good, accurate meteorologist.
DeleteWhat about dr. Fred Ward, I believe he was the only one of the local weatherman to have a doctorate in meteorology, he looked a little bit like the former Surgeon General.I believe his name was Coop
ReplyDeleteBill Hovey was awesome, I remember him from on the radio too. Is he still with us?
ReplyDeleteTodd Gross. WHDH Channel 7
ReplyDeleteThis goes way back. Anybody remember Ray Walker? He covered a the tornado watches, and had his own segment separate from any newscast.
ReplyDeleteI remember him and his tornado watches. None ever happened, but he would always let us know when the threat had passed.
DeleteLoved Ray Walker. Entertaining, good at his craft, and never took himself too seriously. Lit up a cigar during one forecast to celebrate the birth of his child.
ReplyDeleteWe thank each and every one of these credible, skilled and good gentlemen preparing us for our ever changing New England weather!
ReplyDeleteI remember a 'Ted'(?) with Barney the Seagull in the 50's or 60's on WHDH TV5. I was an engineer at WHDH TV5 for 2 years in the early 70's and moved to WCVB for the next 35. Remember J. C. Monahan? I worked as a maintenance tech and had quite a few calls when the radar or computers went down so I knew all of the WCVB weathercasters pretty well.
ReplyDeleteNorm MacDonald comes to mind, in the early days, as does my cousin, Ed Carroll later on
ReplyDelete