Kal Rudman

Solomon "Kal" Rudman is a former disc jockey and philanthropist. He founded The Kal and Lucille Rudman Foundation with his wife.

Biographical Background

Born in Philadelphia, Solomon "Kal" Rudman attended Ferguson School, then graduated from Central High School with a love of radio instilled in him. But he pursued the field of education, receiving a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1951, and working as a special-education teacher. Returning to his dream, he became a Top 40 disc jockey at WCAM in Camden, and later Billboard magazine's first R&B editor.

In 1968, out of his basement, he began publishing Friday Morning Quarterback, which became one of the most influential music industry trade magazines, and from which he eventually made his fortune. He said in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1994 that he was the first to spot Judy Collins' "Send in the Clowns," Hall and Oates' "She's Gone," and Kenny Rogers' "Lucille" as hits.

Appearances

Rudman appeared on The Merv Griffin Show more than 30 times, was a music-expert regular on the Today Show, and was known as "Killer Kal" for his work as an announcer for the World Wrestling Federation.

Budding musical stars came to him regularly. As the Rudmans remembered in the Inquirer interview: "Barry Manilow came to the house," pushing "Mandy," Lucille Rudman recalled. "He almost was pleading to have his record listed on the front page of Kal's publication."

Rudman fondly recalls a visit from Dolly Parton, promoting her movie single "9 to 5." "She ran over to me, threw her arms around my neck and got very close, at least as close as her chest would permit," he said.

Rudman advised Bruce Springsteen on how to make his music more popular with females. Out came "Hungry Heart" on The River album, released in 1980. "Kal explained to me that Top 40 radio is mainly listened to by girls and that my female demographic was low," Springsteen said in an interview at the time, as recounted by the Philadelphia Daily News. "That was a no-brainer," Rudman said. "It's still big all over the world."

Rudman's flagship trade publication, among six, is Friday Morning Quarterback (FMQB), still flourishing as a bible of the music industry. Forbes called Rudman one of the major influences in the leisure and entertainment industry in the United States. Time and The New Yorker pretty much agreed in thoughtful profiles.[1]

Rudman is still active in radio. He is a weekly guest on Bob Pantano's Dance Party on WOGL in Philadelphia.

Honors and awards

Kal Rudman has been widely honored for his work. To name a few: He has been awarded honorary doctorates from Drexel University; the University of the Arts; and Holy Family University. He has been selected to the Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame and has been named that group's "Person of the Year"; “Man of the Year” by the Black Music Association; “Community Philanthropist of the Year” by Community College of Philadelphia; as well as receiving a plaque on the Music Legends Walk of Fame in Philadelphia. He is also an Honorary Philadelphia Fire Commissioner and Honorary Deputy Police Commissioner.

References

  1. ↑ Philadelphia Bulletin, 10/9/08
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