After over forty years mixing on New York radio, DJ Red Alert will retire from MediaCo Adult R&B 107.5 WBLS and Hip Hop “Hot 97” WQHT at the end of the month.

Coinciding with his 50th anniversary DJing and his upcoming 70th birthday, DJ Red Alert will present his final show with a special four hour mix set on WBLS on Monday, November 30. That will be preceded the week before by a tribute event at Sony Hall in New York with guests including Teddy Riley, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kid Capri, DJ Brucie B, DJ Spinna, Rashad ‘Ringo’ Smith, DJ Joe Cool, DJ Str8Heat, and other surprise guests.

Born Fred Crute and also known as ‘Kool DJ Red Alert’, he began his radio career in 1983 at “98.7 Kiss-FM” WRKS. After WRKS shifted to Adult R&B in 1994 after it became co-owned with WQHT, he moved to “Hot 97” and mixed “The Twelve O’Clock Old School At Noon” and “The Five O’Clock Free Ride” until 2001. After a brief return to WRKS, he would spend five years at iHeartMedia’s “Power 105.1” until rejoining WRKS for a third time in 2006 where he would remain until the brand’s demise in 2012. He has been at WBLS and WQHT since and has also been heard on SiriusXM’s Backspin channel.

As part of his announcement, Red Alert said, “Thank you for being a part of my journey. The love, the memories, the music and the connection we all have shared and will always hold a special place in my heart,” he continued. “Although I am stepping away from radio, my passion for music and entertainment remains strong. I will continue to bring the sounds, the energy, and the vibe to the people through DJing special events, and community celebrations.”