RADIO LEGEND OEDIPUS TO STEP DOWN AT WBCN

After more than 29 years at influential Boston alt-rocker WBCN-FM, Oedipus has decided to relinquish his day-to-day responsibilities as Program Director.

He will continue in his job as Infinity Vice President of Alternative Programming working with Steve Rivers.

"What began as a passion for punk-rock turned into a long, intense and exciting career based in a glorious city at a pioneering rock station," said Oedipus. "But the time has come for me to retire and hand the reigns over to a new generation of programmers. Relinquishing the 24/7 life of a radio programmer will allow me the time to enjoy the moment, and to explore more fully my numerous diverse interests."

Oedipus is widely credited with introducing punk and new wave to Boston and the country. He was among the first to interview The Ramones, Talking Heads and The Damned. In 1977, WBCN hired Oedipus as a part-time announcer and he later earned a full-time position at the station. He was named PD in 1981.

During his career, Oedipus has received some of the most prestigious awards for radio programming. In 1997, he was feted by the music industry as the T.J. Martell Honoree of the Year. At New York’s Hard Rock Café, he was roasted by Aerosmith and Joey Ramone. Boston Magazine named him the third most influential person in the Arts in Boston in 2001.

Oedipus also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Mobius (an artist-run center for experimental work in all media), Stop Handgun Violence, Mass MIC (a First Amendment organization), and the Technology Broadcasting Corporation of MIT. He is a member of the Board of Mentors for Community Servings, an organization that feeds Boston-based families with HIV, and is also on the board of advisors for the Boston Music Awards.

Said WBCN's Mark Hannon: "I know you all join me in wishing Oedipus the very best of luck. WBCN is a better place to work today thanks to his never-ending passion and creativity."