Updated throughout on 10/21 -- ALBANY -- Longtime Albany radio personality Joseph Motto -- better known as "Boom Boom Brannigan" -- has died. Before working in Albany radio between 1961 and 2004, the Utica native got his start at WTLB, where he used his real name on-air.
Our thanks to Bob O'Neal from Albany, who first pointed out an article reporting Motto's passing in the Albany Times-Union. (Just as we're doing here, the T-U has also added more details to their story since yesterday.)
At first, we had some trouble verifying Motto's connections to the Utica market, but Jerry Reed came to the rescue, scanning and emailing a couple of clippings from the Utica Daily Press. One clipping from June 1958 advertised a dance being co-hosted by Motto and WTLB colleague Dave Sennett. Another clipping, from September 7, 1958, announced that Motto had accepted an offer to host afternoons at Buffalo station WBNY. In Buffalo, he would use the name "Ronnie Victor" on the air.
In Albany, Boom Boom Brannigan's career spanned from 1961 to 2004 at stations WPTR and WABY.
According to the Times-Union, calling hours will be held Friday from 4-7pm at the New Comer Cannon Funeral Home at 343 New Karner Road in the Albany suburb of Colonie. Funeral services will be held privately by the family. In lieu of sending flowers, the family is requesting donations in Brannigan's memory be sent to:
South Colonie Dollars for Scholars
c/o Boom Boom Brannigan Broadcasting & Music Scholarship Fund
Box 12413
Albany, NY 12212
Boom Boom Brannigan was 82 years old. The latter Daily Press clipping says his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Motto, lived on Rutgers Street in Utica at the time.