I am originally from Norfolk, Virginia and have been a huge fan of rock n’ roll since 1977. That was the year I received the first vinyl rock record I ever owned from my sister Susan for my birthday, Boston’s first album.  Growing up I was most content sitting at a turntable spinning my favorite tunes. Early on I was more of a pop music fan with top favorites being John Denver and  The Carpenters. Once rock entered my life, there was no turning back. Favorites from that time were Styx, Journey, Steve Miller, Kansas and of course Boston. Into the 80’s Van Halen, AC/DC, KISS, Def Leppard, Tesla, Ratt and Dokken were tops. It was only natural that my dream was to become a rock radio dj.  And, it became a reality in a grand way!

      In 1988 while working in music retail and taking broadcasting courses in college, I landed an internship with the #1 morning show at my favorite and biggest rock station in the Hampton Roads area.  It just so happened that Henry ‘the Bull’ Del Toro had been invited to speak to our college class. I had made up my mind that I was going to be the first to approach him afterwards about possibly becoming an intern with his show. I walked up to him and after saying hello I asked the question and his answer was simply ‘sure’.  Suddenly I was to be an intern for the Jimmy and the Bull show at FM99 WNOR! I was blown away! It really was that easy. Needless to say, the time with the show was an absolute blast as well as one of my fondest memories and highlights of my life. I assisted with anything that was needed including cataloging tapes with all of their bits,  fetching breakfast from 7 Eleven, setting up remote broadcasts and even helping to produce the show.

      Near the end of the internship, I wrote a letter and basically begged the program director Brian Jeffries for a chance to dj and it worked!  I started doing one overnight weekend shift, and ended up doing three shifts per weekend and subing for the M-F regular overnight dj, Liz Gillette, as she needed me. It was surreal and incredible to be working alongside several of my radio mentors growing up including Wynn Evers, Les Wooten and Mike Arlo. These guys were my heroes! One Saturday I was scheduled for a rare afternoon shift following Les. On his last break he introduced me on air as Fred “rock n’ roll” Savage and without knowing gave me a moniker that stuck. It’s not something that I would ever call myself on my own because I would not consider myself worthy. But to be honest, it’s fun, sounds good and I’ll keep it!

      The hope was to stay at ‘NOR for many years to come not unlike my mentors. That idea was cut short when a new program director called me into his office and said ‘We have to let you go’! I asked him why and he could not give me a reason. Can you believe? To this day I still don’t know the reason or if he had issue with me. I was just forced to leave. So, in August of ’91 I left ‘NOR, and with some help from music director Mike Monahan, I landed a gig at a small town 3,000 watt pure rock station,  WXQR in Jacksonville, NC to do 7 – midnight Monday thru Friday. Prime time for rock radio.  I was living my dream with a near perfect rock format. I hosted a weekly Top 20 album countdown every Monday night which was a blast. Went to several great rock shows during that time and met a few artists along the way. Unfortunately, it all came to an end on September 30th, 1994 as the station was sold, automated and changed to classic rock only. I could have stayed with the new group but decided not to take part. My last show was on that night with the final two songs being “Spirit Of Radio” by Rush and “For Those About To Rock..” by AC/DC respectively.

      After that I returned to music retail selling cd’s and was a store manager for 4 out of the 8 1/2 years employed until the store closed in February 2003. I currently work for a major home improvement retailer.  My vision and dream is to establish SAVAGE RADIO as a popular and successful internet rock radio station known the world over. That journey continues!  You can find out more about the station on the ABOUT THE STATION page.

      The music and bringing it to you on SAVAGE RADIO is my passion! I was born to do this so let’s ROCK N ROLL! 🙂