DJ Curtis Sliwa

Curtis Sliwa isn't really a DJ. He did eventually became a radio show host. He is a somewhat conservative populist and in New York City, that can be unpopular as these are totally conflicting belief systems.You probably know Silwa as the founder of the Guardian Angels. Those meat-head Brooklynites with the red berets actaully have over a hundred chapters across America. It was founded back in 1979 to protect a neighborhood. It is no longer a dozen friends of Silwa. It is an international civic organization. It was through this new position as a public figure that he became a radio talk show host in 1993.

Sliwa was co-host with his then-wife Lisa Evers on WABC-AM in New York City. In 1992, none other than John Gotti tried to have him wacked. Why Sliwa was worth wacking I don't know. I can only guess he said something in the course of his program the don found offensive. He may have cast aspersions on the musical talent of Frank Sinatra. That will get you the death penalty in New Jersey. After his attempted murder, his WABC-AM radio program was canceled. But his longtime supporter, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sliwa landed him a radio program on the then city-owned and operated WNYC. It's a good turn of luck for Silwa, former mayor Koch was totally opposed to the Angels.

In 1996 Sliwa returned to WABC, and later he became the co-host, with Ron Kuby, of the "Curtis and Kuby in the Morning" program aired weekdays during morning drive time on WABC-AM. The "Curtis and Kuby" radio show,which ran in the mornings.. until Imus came back. That must have stung a little, but he had to see it coming. his ratings in that slot were terrible. He got bumped and landed at 11am. It could have been worse. As of this spring, Curtis had also picked up a regular guest-hosting gig for The Bill O’Reilly Show.

Not bad for a guy that was managing a McDonalds when this all began.