By KATHRYN HATHORNE
Ron Lundy’s talent as a disc jockey has been spread worldwide impacting the music industry with his style and heart for the business. Lundy got his start in his hometown, Memphis, a city known for its music. While he was at radio school there he worked at a radio station across the street as the DJ’s assistant. One night during his shift, the DJ scheduled did not arrive for work.

The station manager told Lundy to take over in the DJ’s place hosting that night’s show. Eager to start his career Lundy readily prepared himself for the show.
Following his first official show as a radio DJ he received a call from Hodding Carter, editor of The Delta Democrat Times, Pulitzer Prize winner, and owner of a new radio station in Greenville, offering him a job. He took the job gratefully at WWDT and started his infamous DJ career.
During his stay in Greenville he met his Houlka-born wife Shirley who was working at the bank. Also, while at the station there Lundy made friends within the radio business network that he would keep for life, and those would be the very ones who would help him later and the furthering of his career. Moving up the business ladder of success he went to Baton Rouge, La.  working at  WLCS.
Wanting to work in Dallas, Lundy and his wife traveled to Houston for a new DJ position opening up in the area. By the time he was able to sign with the station someone had already come in, applied for, and gotten the job. While in Houston numerous people told Lundy about the growing market in St. Louis, and at the time in the 1960s it was the eighth largest market in country.

Pictured, from left, are Ron Lundy, James Brown and Joe McCoy

He landed a job at WIL, a station that broadcast throughout St. Louis. During his time at WIL he met his best friend in the business, Dan Ingram, who eventually worked with Lundy at the head of his game. Also, while working for WIL his program was top of the charts all over the St. Louis area.
Lundy’s always-hectic shows were the basis for his nickname, "Wild Child." His friend Ingram soon moved to New York with him following shortly. Lundy worked the night shift at WABC as "The Swinging Night Walker" then moved down the street to WCBS FM until his retirement September 18, 1997.
Throughout his career Lundy received numerous honors and awards. Among the many are Bronze World Medal at the New York Radio Programming awards, "best local personality", out of more than 1,300 entries from 33 countries, being named within the top 10 DJs in America, being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Oh., and induction into the St. Louis Hall of Fame.
Lundy’s signature term, "Hello, Luv. This is Ron Lundy in the greatest city in the world," has become a radio anthem for all time. The greeting was a very natural thing for Lundy who had neighbors that used this saying daily. This iconic line, spoken by Lundy, was featured in the award winning film, Midnight Cowboy. Little did Lundy know that by using this short yet meaningful greeting, he would unintentionally invent a saying recognized worldwide.
With his job Lundy had the opportunity to work with many different and interesting people. While in St. Louis, he had Tina Turner as a guest multiple times and talked about Colonel Sanders as "funny to work with.” Many others he befriended were Tammy Wynette, Henry “Fonzie” Winkler, and Tony Bennett. Lundy loved the Beatles, and he was a good friend of Jerry Lewis.
One of his favorite people he ever got the chance to meet and be around was Walter Cronkite. Another amazing person he worked with was Mickey Mantle. Throughout the year DJs would play the Yankees in ‘just for fun’ games. During one, Lundy came onto the field in his uniform and will never forget Mantle saying, "Hey Ron, you look like Babe Ruth."
After being asked, "If you had the chance to go back and change anything about your career what would that be?" Lundy, being the gentleman he is, replied "I could have been nicer to some people."
All during his career Lundy was well respected and known as one of the most kind-hearted people in the radio business. He loves doing simple things to make people’s days that much better even if just for a minute. In particular, one certain cab driver would wait outside the studio on rainy days to insure Lundy would not have the problem of getting a cab in the rain. He recalled dedicating numerous songs to this taxi driver many a day in the hopes it would bring a smile to his face.
Lundy advises anyone looking into this field, "If you are going to pursue a career in anything, get a job, go to school, and stay in school. Take advantage of every opportunity you can."
After being in broadcasting for nearly 32 years all throughout New York City, Lundy retired to the peaceful small town we call home--Bruce, Mississippi. The constant noise and hubbub of the big city eventually lost its thrill and excitement with Lundy and wife Shirley.
At the time of the move, her mom was living in the Bruce area so the location itself was essentially to be closer to her. Bruce is also in a good location for traveling to Memphis if needed. Since 1997 Lundy and wife have been proud residents and active members in the community.
Who knew we had such a nationally famed citizen among us? Thank you, Ron Lundy, for all that you give back to the town of Bruce.