John Zacherle began his broadcast career as an actor at local WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, where he was hired as the host of the classic horror film show “Shock Theater.” He appeared as a horror host in a long black undertaker’s coat. Zacherle moved his act to New York City in 1959 and changed the name of his show to “Zacherley at Large.” He went on to join WPIX in New York and served as host for “Chiller Theatre” in 1963. He moved away from the horror genre to host the teenage dance show “Disc-O-Teen” in 1964, which led to him becoming a morning radio host for WNEW-FM as the station transitioned to a progressive rock format. Then in 1971, Zach moved his show to WPLJ, where he stayed for a decade. Through the 80s & 90s, he would still make appearances as Zacherly, The Cool Ghoul. He would often turn up on New York’s WCBS-FM at Halloween. This aircheck is from the middle of his time at WPLJ.
Since 1979, Ellis has been on the radio, mostly hosting morning radio shows across the country, from Philly to Salt Lake City, Tampa to Seattle, and for the last 25 years, has been waking Orlando & Daytona Beach.
I remember seeing Zacherle on Channel 47 in April of 1964 when we got our first RCA color tv. The delivery guy gave us a U/V antenna for the roof and I ventured past the “New York 7” into the unknown!
I remember seeing Zacherle on Channel 47 in April of 1964 when we got our first RCA color tv. The delivery guy gave us a U/V antenna for the roof and I ventured past the “New York 7” into the unknown!