Longtime South Florida mixer, personality and “El Zol 106.7” WXDJ programmer ‘Jammin Johnny’ Caride has passed away after a bout with cancer.
A Miami native, Caribe began his career in 1986 as a mixer at “Ritmo 98” WRTO and “Super Q 107.5” WQBA-FM. He would move to “Power 96” WPOW-FM in 1995 where he was responsible for helping Los Del Rio’s “Macarena” explode the following year. He would stay at WPOW-FM until 2003 when he joined Spanish Broadcasting System’s “El Zol 95.7” WXDJ, which would later move to 106.7, as Program Director.
In a statement put out by the company it was said, “‘Jammin’ Johnny Caride was a pioneering figure not only in the radio world but also in championing genres like freestyle and disco in the ’80s and offering early support for reggaeton. He believed in emerging stars like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Ivy Queen, and Tego Calderón and celebrated the evolution of the new generation of artists such as Karol G, Maluma, J Balvin, Farruko, Maffio, J Alvarez, Prince Royce, among many others.
Today, the El Zol 106.7FM family, SBS, and the entire South Florida community mourn his passing. “Jammin” Johnny Caride leaves an indelible legacy, not only on the airwaves but also in the hearts of his fans and in the history of Latin music. We deeply thank his followers for their unwavering support throughout his career and his contribution to WXDJ-FM El Zol 106.7FM’s success as the leading station.
Rest in peace, “Jammin” Johnny Caride. The radio and the Hispanic community of South Florida will never be the same without you, but your music, legacy, and spirit will live on forever in the hearts of those who listened to you and shared in your journey.”
