RIP Paul Drew

PAUL DREW, an icon of radio, has died; he was 78. A native of Detroit, Drew made his way to Atlanta and became an on-air personality, first at WGST and then at WAKE. In 1963 he landed an evening shift at WQXI, introducing Atlanta to The Beatles (whom he later joined on the road). Upped to PD, he remained at QXI until '67, when he returned to his hometown as PD of CKLW Windsor-Detroit. PD gigs at KFRC San Francisco and the legendary KHJ in L.A. followed. He ultimately became VP of Programming of RKO Radio, with oversight of outlets in an array of major markets. During his years at radio he hired, mentored and otherwise worked with an astounding list of future on-air, programming and consulting stars. He was a partner at consultancy Drew-Atkinson Associates, and also launched Paul Drew Enterprises, which served an international client base (with an emphasis on Japan). President Reagan tapped Drew to be Director of the Voice of America's Radio Marti Project in 1984. His passing, at an assisted-living facility in Glendale, is attributed to natural causes. He's survived by his former wife, Ann. (5/16p)