Because of his provocative statements on air, Stern moved from one station to another. Impressed with his ability to score higher ratings in no time, WNBC offered him a five-year contract worth $1 million for afternoon work, which he accepted.
Aware of his deliberately offensive behavior on air, the station hired a lawyer to cut off his microphone if he started talking about forbidden topics. The shock jock that he is, Stern followed his own rules and had a strained relationship with the management and other DJs. He was terminated from the station in 1985 due to “conceptual differences” about the show.
Stern Wants to Remain Youthful
Howard has been active in radio throughout his career and it seems that retirement is far from his plans. However, the popular radio host dropped a hint about withdrawing from his job. In an interview with David Letterman in August 2017, he recognized the glow in the TV host now that he’d retired by saying, “I fantasize that if I retire, I would have this youthful look.” And then he added. “I feel a bit burned out.”
With his demanding job, it is just right that he takes a break or a “personal day” every week but wait, millions will surely miss hearing him on the radio.
He Wanted the Microphone Since He Was a Child
“When I saw my father as a recording engineer... I was enamored. Looking at how my father was so reverential to those people, I thought that maybe he could look at me with that kind of respect if I could get behind a microphone,” Stern on his father, Ray Stern’s influence on his life, particularly on his job as a radio personality.
Howard wished to be part of the radio in-crowd, right from the young age of five. Influenced by his pops, who co-owns a recording studio in Manhattan that caters to commercial and cartoon voice-overs, young Howard would visit his father’s workplace often and get inspired by the work done there.
His Early Years
Stern’s first radio gig happened during his second year at Boston University. His work on the campus radio station, WTBU, included playing records, reading the news, and hosting interview programs. Later on, he co-hosted a weekly comedy program called The King Schmaltz Bagel Hour with three other students.
That time, Stern was already getting himself and the show in big trouble, courtesy of his offensive statements. After one airing, the show was immediately canceled because of a discriminating sketch named “Godzilla Goes to Harlem.” After everything we’ve learned about Stern, we’re hardly surprised. After all, he wouldn’t be Stern without being reckless with his words.
Stern Goes Pro
Howard’s first wife, Alison Berns left a significant mark on Stern’s life. When they were still together, she persuaded her husband to pursue a career at WRNW, a rock radio station in Briarcliff Manor, New York.
He started as part of the station’s production and later became a program director. From $96 a week, his dedication and perseverance within his chosen profession earned him a weekly salary of $250. The rest is history, as they say. With the professionalism and hard work he poured into his craft, Stern is undoubtedly one of Hollywood’s most prized personalities, as evidenced by his stellar recognition and legacy in the radio and entertainment industries.