Lately, I’ve been remiss in my duties as both a reviewer and reporter of madcap adventures…and will likely continue to be so for a short while. But I’m poking my head in because some sad news has hit the BW-Metro radio world: Lopez of 98 Rock is dead. Since the year I was born, Lopez read Baltimore the news in a way that was entertaining, informative, wise, and sardonic. Most importantly, he put the news in context, refusing to shy away from a story’s complexities (even when his sometimes old-school Baltimore conservative listeners…and co-hosts…would have rathered he did). He made Maryland a more thoughtful, aware, and engaged place—would that we could all say the same. Go to DCRTV.com and follow the links to get the full picture of this broadcaster.
Comments
Awful | edward
I loved Lopez. I remember listening to him every morning in high school. The main 98 rock page has a few other links to Lopez related stuff.
His tenacity, his willingness to be an unabashed progressive in a format that doesn't favor liberals, his intellectual toughness: I'll miss them all.
I know many people who are nice, kind and generally good. But many progressives shy away from saying how they really feel in certain situations, or refuse to debate conservatives about ideas. I always admired Lopez because his beliefs were strong and his willingness to debate them were stronger. The current generation of crossfire-bred idiots who believe shouting over someone is a convincing debate style could learn a lot by listening to 98 rock. If someone lied, Lopez called them on it. Every time.
So this week, month or year, if some idiot makes a comment beyond the pale, remember Lopez. Call them on it. Fight for what you believe. To do anything less is to fail to live life fully.
As a liberal listening to the hardest rocking station in the region, it was great to hear Lopez every morning. He inspired many, although few stations ever imitated his work. The current crop of radio morning shows involving pranks, crank phone calls and entertainment news simply could never hold a candle to Lopez merely reading the news. The man was and is larger than life.
posted at: 2005-05-23 15:08:25Listener Comments | edward
Are located here.
posted at: 2005-05-23 15:12:00