Posted on 03/28/2009 6:25:01 AM PDT by AU72
When word arrived that Larry Glick had died, it triggered momentary sadness, quickly followed by memories that filled the rest of the day with smiles.
He would have liked that.
Indeed, like the late, great Norm Nathan, another overnight radio legend at WBZ whose goal was “to leave the world a little bit sillier,” Commander Glick, the founder of Glick University, loved to make his listeners laugh.
“Is that you, Larry?”
“Let me check. By jove, yes, it is!”
OK, if you weren’t a Glicknick, which is how members of his vast audience identified themselves, that won’t mean anything to you.
You may even be like a few colleagues here who, as this column was being prepared, assumed the deceased was the Jiminy Glick of “The Martin Short Show.” When told, no, it was Larry who died, their blank expressions asked, “Who?”
Fair enough. He was, after all, 87 when he succumbed yesterday after open heart surgery in Florida, almost 17 years after saying goodbye to this city whose nighttime airwaves he ruled with warmth and humor for a quarter century.
He was one of our own, reared on Blue Hill Avenue, though he claimed Egleston Square as his home, and it was impossible not to laugh with him even if he made you his unwitting target.
Everyone knew he was a professional hypnotist, so one night, early in our friendship, upon hearing this writer hated to fly, he had listeners from 38 states and parts of Canada hanging onto every word as he offered a helpful tip.
“The moment you feel any turbulence,” he soothingly suggested, “just lean forward as far as you can, and grab your ankles.”
“Then what?” he was asked.
“Then kiss your tushy goodbye!” he replied, erupting in uproarious laughter.
That was Larry Glick, an absolute delight, night after night, becoming such a part of us that his death feels deeply personal.
It might have been Louis Prima singing “Lazy Mary” at 3 in the morning; maybe it was a conversation with the Champagne Lady, or cabbie Charlie DiGiovanni, or a dowser from Vermont, or a cop from Dedham, or a pilot from Norwood; maybe it was German marching music, or Bennie Drohan crooning “Southie Is My Hometown.”
Whatever it happened to be, it was radio at its best.
So, condolences to fellow Glicknicks.
Goodbye, good friend, and God bless.
larry how are you?
let me check
whistle
RIP Mr Glick
I remember listening to Larry Glick on WBZ here in Ohio just about every night reception permitted.Very enjoyable radio guy.
Thanks for the memories!
RIP Larry!
A good laugh is like a medicine.
here's a clip from Larry on WBZ (link) and a few more can be found here (link)
thanks Larry for everything. you will be missed. see you on the other side.
Shalom Aleichem, Sayonara, Auf Wiedersehen, ...
Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are...
I was a devoted listerer of Larry’s show. When I was in college (Northeastern in Boston) we’d occasionally watch his show live in the radio studio. Fun times and great memories. Rest in peace Larry.
Major bummer! I loved Larry! Rest in peace my dear old friend. I wonder if Charlie DiGiovanni is still around.
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