Gene Shay, disc jockey
Gene Shay ‑ an American radio personality ‑ died at the age of 85, on April 17, 2020 from COVID-19 in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania.
Shay was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was a representative of the city's folk music scene. He produced weekly folk radio shows since 1962 (now on WXPN and his final show on WXPN was on February 1, 2015; previously heard on WDAS-FM, WMMR, WIOQ and WHYY-FM). A founder of the annual Philadelphia Folk Festival and its emcee since its inception, he has been called the "Dean of American folk DJs" by The Philadelphia Daily News and "The Grandfather of Philadelphia Folk Music" by The Philadelphia Inquirer. Shay also served as a host for the online "Folk Alley" stream originating at Kent State University stati...