Audacy Classic Hits 104.3 WOMC Detroit morning host Jim ‘JJ’ Johnson will retire from the station on Friday, December 1.
Johnson, who made the announcement on-air this morning, has spent 52 years on-air in his native Detroit. He began his career on 104.3 when it was WEXL and would then spend time in mornings leading “JJ and The Morning Crew” at “W4” 106.7 WWWW-FM, 101.1 WRIF, “Wheelz 98.7” WLLZ, and 94.7 WCSX. He joined WOMC as midday host in 2011 and moved to the morning slot alongside JoAnne Purtan in March 2020.
This morning, Detroit broadcast veteran and host of 104.3 WOMC’s “JJ and JoAnne Morning Show” Jim “JJ” Johnson announced he will retire after 52 years in Detroit radio. Johnson’s last day on air will be December 1, 2023.
“Growing up, I was the kid hiding under the covers with a pocket transistor radio, so my parents couldn’t hear, listening to the greats on CKLW and Keener 13, dreaming that one day I might be able to do that,” said Johnson. “I have been so fortunate to have realized that dream and have been able to live it in my hometown my entire career. It’s really the people I have worked for and worked with that made it possible and most importantly, our loyal listeners. To quote a friend, ‘Detroit audiences are the greatest rock and roll audiences in the world” $%*#, I’ve known that for 52 years!’”
WOMC Vice President of Programming Tim Roberts said, “Not only has Jim been a fixture in Detroit morning radio who woke us up to laughter every morning, but JJ was instrumental in the careers and launch of many of Detroit’s superstars, including Bob Seger, The Romantics, Grand Funk Railroad, and countless others. His contributions to Detroit radio are legendary, and his work in the community is unmatched. JJ has also helped to raise millions for the American Lung Association, Children’s Miracle Network, and Children’s Leukemia Foundation. His impact on Detroit radio will never be forgotten.”
Audacy Detroit Senior Vice President and Market Manager Debbie Kenyon said, “I can’t express what a privilege it has been to have worked with Jim Johnson for 13 years. Growing up in Detroit, I have listened to Jim on Detroit radio since I was a teenager. His impact on the listeners, the community, and those he has worked with will never be duplicated. It has been a true pleasure knowing and working with a legend like Jim. We thank him for 52 years of entertainment and wish him well as he travels and finds new adventures in his retirement. His voice on Detroit radio will be missed every day.”
Johnson, a native of Redford Township, MI, attended Central Michigan University, where he played football and then attended Michigan State University. Johnson started his career on 104.3, then known as WEXL, but rose to fame in Detroit as a morning show host on WWWW-FM and then as a longtime morning host on “JJ and The Morning Crew,” first on Detroit’s WRIF, followed by WLLZ-FM and WCSX-FM. Johnson has spent the last 13 years at 104.3 WOMC. In addition to his radio success, in the early 80s, Johnson spent time on local television as a street reporter for “Good Afternoon Detroit” and as an occasional co-host of “Kelly and Company.” He was also the PA announcer for the Detroit Lions and, most recently, a commentator on Detroit’s Fox 2 “Let It Rip” show. In his 52 years on the air in Detroit, he has enjoyed incredible ratings success and is known as a Detroit legend.
