To all of the wonderful fans out there in radio-land:
Our dearly loved Joe Mazza of the famous late night talk radio program, “The Joe Mazza Show” has passed away. His show was known from coast to coast as a show that talks about nostalgia. Joe enjoyed talking about the good ol’ days with his many guest starts and his trusty side-kick, Sebastian ‘the wonder dog’ by his side.
Please post your condolences to the family of Joe Mazza, your favorite memories of past shows he has done, favorite moments on the radio with him or just post your personal message. This blog is for you to share your comments.
The following is a repost of his obituary published in The Patriot Ledger on April 29, 2011 (with minor changes):
Joseph F. Mazza, age 66, of Hingham, died unexpectedly April 27, 2011, after having been in ill health. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Larsson) Mazza. Joseph F. Mazza was born in Waltham, MA; he was the son of the late Joseph S. and Esther (Sheridan) Mazza. Joe was a graduate of Woburn High School and Burdett College and attended Suffolk University. He was employed for many years as an independent sales representative for home improvement through A&M of Revere. On weekends, for over twenty years, he was a syndicated late night radio talk show host whose programs were broadcasted, and well-known to night-owls, throughout the country. His studio was most often in the comfort of his home, but he also widely travelled to do shows from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the Minnesota outback. Joe was well known in Hingham for his friendly, outgoing manner and his sharing coffee with the locals. During the 50s and 60s, he organized and played guitar for The Caravans, a popular New England band who often played at the Beach Casino in Hampton, NH. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son Joseph R. Mazza of Chicago. IL; his twin brother James Mazza of Tewksbury and his sister Maryann Riley of Woburn. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. Funeral Information: Funeral from the Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home, 4 Common St., Stoneham, Monday (May 2nd) at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham. Visitation at the funeral home will be Sunday, 4 – 7 p.m. Burial is in St. Patricks Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the Heart Fund or the Diabetes Association. Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home 781-438-0135.
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To Jim, Joe Jr. and all of the Mazza Family: I’m so sorry for your loss, we all loved Joe so much! I just spoke to Joe last week, he always called me when he forgot his passwords so he called me again the other day. Joe always asked about my family, he was always very thoughtful of family. My last words to him were “love you Joe”. I will miss him.
My condolences,
Marcia Vincent,
Joe’s Webmaster
To the entire Mazza family, my heart goes out to you all. Joe was a good friend of mine since 1995, when I heard him on a local station in Las Vegas. I too am a radio broadcaster and had just finished my own radio show and something made me turn to local AM stations and found him. Instantly his “Boston” accent intrigued me as I am from Boston as well. From that moment he and I seemed to develop a bond on two levels…..we were both in radio and we were both from Boston.
After being a guest several times on his show, Joe invited me to co-host his shows on a regular basis as we had a wonderful chemistry with both the audience and together, sharing a lot of laughs about the “good ‘ol days”. Throughout the last 16 years, I would join Joe’s show periodically from wherever I was, even when I was on vacation.
He recently contacted me to invite me onto the show and of course I accepted. We again picked up right where we left off and shared more “memories” and laughter and we were talking about me joining the show on a regular basis like we did back in Las Vegas.
We often times would share a laugh when we were both on the air at the same time. With my show being from Vegas and his in Boston, the time difference would allow me to call in to his show while on the air in my own and he would put me on live with him. Other times he and “Sebastian” would call my show and I would put him on the air live with me and play him his dedication and favorite songs.
What an amazing entertainer he is….I say that because he will always be an entertainer and his legend will live on. Our friendship will be something I shall always treasure. Joe, you will be eternally loved and missed ….. and THAT, my friend…..”is the story behind the story.”
With Love and Condolences,
J.J. Austin
I’m crying inside. The world needed Joe. The world needs more Joe’s. If you’re reading this the world needs you and me, because a piece of Joe lives inside of each one of us. And when we remember what good Joe added to the world, we each can continue bringing the his spirit of goodness into the world. In that way, Joe will never leave us, or the world.
Sincere condolences to the Mazza family. I discovered the show a few years ago and rarely missed listening on GCN. Joe had a knack for making me feel good by reminiscing about the past. It was a great start to the week, hearing him interview past celebrities that had slipped into obscurity. His conversation and recollections
of a more sensible time were entertaining and comforting.
From the great theme song to the call in guests and fans, Joe was a nice way to spend the early morning hours here in southern Wisconsin. I will miss his show greatly and remember him fondly. Now Joe and the Lord can discuss “the story behind the story”.
Sadly H.M.
It is shock to hear that Joe has left this earth. I have known Joe for 17-18 years when we both were hosts on another network. When Joe needed to find a new home I suggested GCN to him.
Joe was great entertainier and a fun guy. We shared lots of laughs together both on air and off. My thoughts and prayers go out to Joe Jr, Jim and the entire Mazza family.
I was frequent guest in his show and he came on me a few times as well. Joe loved cars and owned many great and unusual ones over the years. I will miss you my friend, you are with your beloved wonderdog “Sebastian” up in the sky as your theme song always stated.
Bob Long
It is shock to hear that Joe has left this earth. I have known Joe for 17-18 years when we both were hosts on another network. When Joe needed to find a new home I suggested GCN to him.
Joe was great entertainier and a fun guy. We shared lots of laughs together both on air and off. My thoughts and prayers go out to Joe Jr, Jim and the entire Mazza family.
I was a frequent guest in his show and he came on mine a few times as well. Joe loved cars and owned many great and unusual ones over the years. I will miss you my friend, you are with your beloved wonderdog “Sebastian” up in the sky as your theme song always stated.
Bob Long
Joe will be dearly missed. I had the chance to spend my Monday mornings with Joe for 5 years. Wouldn’t change any thing for the world. He always had a good heart and an unmistakable laugh. He was just as kind off the air as he was on. I was devastated to hear that he passed as I just spoke with him days before his passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Joe’s family. It all gets better with time. God bless.
Sincerely,
Jason Worsley
Joe’s Producer 2002-07
Joe was a great talent and heartwarming person. I loved listening to his show, and it was very nostalgic and always entertaining. Joe interviewed the great entertainers and celebrities of the past, and was always very kind to all of his callers. Sadly, he is no longer with us, but in Heaven with the Lord.
I’ll miss Joe and his friendly, offbeat show, which was blissfully devoid of the anger and conspiracy craziness that now permeates most of talk radio.
Joe called me one afternoon at home and asked if i would like to be on his show as he wanted to know all about the RINGLING BROS. BARNUM AND BAILEY CIRCUS. I enjoyed speaking with him and Presley, what an honor!! Two weeks ago Joe said to me “Holy cow whatever happened to Turkish taffy? I Explained to him that after 30 years the Bonomo company is coming back with it. Oh how he laughed!! The airwaves in heaven will never fade out, Thanks Joe. My thoughts and prayers to the entire Mazza family. Dave Manko
I had listened to Joe off & on for the past few years on WICC in Bridgeport,CT-What I liked about him was that he was kind & gracious to the people who called up to speak with him-He also liked to wax nostalgic about the good old days -As a fellow baby boomer,he & I were definitely on the same wavelength-My condolences go out to his family at this time.
Gawd, what a loss.
I stumbled into Joe by luck last year and not only never missed his shows, but I went back and listened to tons in his archives. He really was a jovial, curious, kind-hearted man. He had so many interesting guests and always treated them like royalty. It’s so sad to think we will never get to here that classic voice spouting timeless lines like, “Who remembers Turtle Wax?” I mean, what radio voice will ever ask that type question again?
I also listened to Joe for an almost selfish reason; I used him as a source to the fifties. I am trying to create a TV series in that era, having completed 16 episodes, and actually have someone considering it right now in LA. I cannot tell you how many ideas I filched from Joe’s anecdotes and references. I laced every episode with several “oh, yeahs, I forgot about that” I would jot down during his 3-hour Sunday shows.
IF the Fates ever deem my series worthy, I am going to dedicate the first episode to Joe Mazza, a special friend most of us never met, but a friend none of us will ever forget. He’s like Jimmy Stewart–my favorite actor–irreplaceable.
Thanks to GCN for carrying his show. It is devastating to know he is gone.
All my best to his family and friends and all those who he cocooned in the glee of being transported back to the mystical innocence our of childhoods.
Joe Mazza definitely earned his wings.
Joe, you will be missed, my old friend and Caravans band member. I regret it had been so long before we were able “to get together”. Lessons learned … you looked good my friend.
I will always remember the fun we had in our Caravans days (The Hampton Beach Casino, The Pepsi Dance Parties at The Elliot Ballroom in Cambridge, The WMEX Ken Carter Pepsi Dance Parties, The Coolidge Theater Show, The Nantasket Beach Ballroom and so many more gigs and venues.
One of my favorite memories is of you and your White Chevy Impala SS Convertible. Man you loved that car! I remember you picking me up in that and it made me feel like a million bucks riding with you! I think that car, your smiling face and your guitar defined you as well as anything.
My sincere condolences to your entire family including your wife, your sister, your brother Jim and your son, Joe Jr. Keep talkin’ and keep rockin’ and most of all keep smiling Joe.
Steve
sorry to hear about the loss e will be greatly missed god bless you joe
To our friend Joe,
You will be missed by all who loved you and your show… and of course Sebastian!
I discovered your show by accident about 6 years ago while channel surfing. I can’t remember who that first guest that I heard was, but I know I was hooked. I was a semi-regular caller. I felt like I was talking to an old friend about happier, simpler times. And I enjoyed all the guests. Didn’t matter how many times they were on the show… I always enjoyed hearing their stories.
I am missing you terribly, Joe. I don’t think we’ll ever find another show like yours with a host as terrific and enthusiastic as you. May you rest comfortably, dear friend!
I just found out about the passing of Mr. Mazza.
I am profoundly sad and will miss his late Sunday night shows which I have been listening for a few years.
I will keep him and your family in my prayers.
Some years ago I found Joe Mazza while doing my last name search online. Ironically, seeing Joe was a talk show host, it amazed me. I’m a Talk Radio addict. Even more ironic, I love nostalgia as much as Joe did. I sent him an e-mail one day with my phone number and he called me. We had a long and enjoyable chat about the interests we had in common. He asked me to call his show one night to have a few laughs with him. I was a regular caller to local NYC Talk Shows. Well, sometimes life gets in the way of doing the things you wished you had done and I never got to make that call. I just clicked on the website I saved and am so sorry. My condolences to the Mazza family. In my brief encounter with Joe, I heard in his voice what a great guy he was. My deepest sympathy to all who loved him. He will be in my prayers and thoughts. Tom Mazza
A couple of weeks ago I noticed that the Joe Mazza show was not on my local radio station. I always looked forward to listening to his show on Sunday night as I am somewhat of a night owl, and it was a nice way to end the weekend. My worst fear was confirmed tonight after going online and reading his obituary. I will miss hearing his stories of the ‘old days’ as only he can tell them with his Boston accent and infectious laughter. Although he was about 10 years older than me, I could relate to everything he discussed. I always appreciated his sense of nostalgia on how America was 50 years ago. I especially enjoyed his discussions on classic American automobiles! He was truly one in a million. There will never be another show like his. My only regret was that I never called in on his show. Probably because I usually fell asleep before the show ended. I will miss my late-night friend!
I am sad to hear about Joe. I had the pleasure of being guest on Joe’s shows many times. He was a true professional broadcaster and knew how to entertain the masses. He came to my shows in Hartford, Conn a few years ago and our friendship began.
I was greatly surprised and thrilled to see how much Joe loved the West and everything about it, especialy the great old cowboy tv/movie stars.
His show was one of a kind and so was he.
Don Endsley/Owner.. Great American Wild West Show
I was privileged to be a regular guest on Joe Mazza’s show. He was the same wonderful kind man off the air that he was on; he will be missed.
My deepest sympathies go out to the entire Mazza family and his other family, his audience. Joe was a fun guy. I remember some great times especially in Vegas, when we visited for our former network. Because my show is on Saturday mornings and his at night, I always saw him at the parties. His dedication to our craft was without equal.
I will miss this icon of Talk Radio, as so many others will.
Mort White
My sincerest condolences to the Mazza family. It was less than a year ago that I discovered Joe’s entertaining show early in the morning on WICC in Bridgeport, CT. I was born the same year as Joe and really enjoyed his folksy discussions of “the good old days.” I have been wondering why I could no longer find him on the radio. It is only this evening that I logged on to his website and sadly learned of his passing. May the Good Lord smile upon you Joe!