Draft:Mad Mike Metrovich

# DJ Mad Mike Metrovich

DJ Mad Mike Metrovich was an influential and iconoclastic American radio DJ known for his significant contributions to the Pittsburgh music scene, particularly in popularizing obscure vintage rock n' roll, rhythm and blues, and garage rock from the 1960s to the early 1970s.

## Early Life and Career

Metrovich was born in Pennsylvania, but his exposure to rock n' roll came later in life:

- He was introduced to early rock n' roll music while serving in the Navy, stationed at the Brooklyn Naval Yards.

- This musical awakening led him to host record hops, which eventually paved the way for his career in radio.

## Radio Career

### WPIT-AM (1964)

- Metrovich's first disc-jockey job was at 730 WPIT-AM in 1964.

- The station was run by Michael Komichak, who had built it in 1947.

- WPIT's studios were located on Smithfield Street in downtown Pittsburgh.

### WZUM-AM (1964-1972)

- In August 1964, Metrovich moved to 1590 WZUM-AM in Carnegie, PA.

- WZUM was owned by polka bandleader Jimmy Pol (James Psihoulis).

- The station had a unique format: Rhythm & Blues during the day, and Polka every morning from sunrise until 10:00 AM.

- Despite being a daytime-only station, WZUM gained popularity, competing with larger stations like KQV and KDKA.

- By 1968, WZUM had the third-largest teen audience in Pittsburgh, after KQV and KDKA.

### Later Career

- After leaving WZUM in 1972, Metrovich had shows on several stations:

  - An oldies show on WYEP-FM in the 1980s

  - Worked at 810 WEDO-AM

  - Worked at 540 WWCS-AM

## Musical Style and Influence

Metrovich was known for his eclectic and obscure musical tastes:

- He eschewed mainstream hits, including refusing to play popular bands like The Beatles.

- Focused on playing rare, hard-to-find, and out-of-print records.

- Often played obscure rhythm & blues and rock n' roll tracks.

### Unique DJ Style

- Rarely identified the songs he played on air.

- Sometimes went as far as scratching off band names from 45rpm labels.

- Described having an intense, almost mystical connection to the records, once writing: "I walk through stacks of records and I hear voices. The records are calling out to me, 'Play me! Play me!' These things haunt me and I have nightmares."

## Impact on Local Music Scene

Metrovich's influence on the Pittsburgh music scene was significant:

- He was often compared to his contemporary, Porky Chedwick, though their styles differed greatly.

- Metrovich was described as "more manic than mad, more paranoid than poetic, and more private than public," in contrast to the "zany and wholesome" Chedwick.

- His focus on obscure tracks made him a unique voice in Pittsburgh radio.

## Legacy

### Mad Mike's Moldies

- Released a six-record series of oldies compilations called "Mad Mike's Moldies."

- These compilations have become highly collectible items.

- They've been reissued multiple times, including on colored vinyl and by Norton Records.

- Plans for future double CD set releases have been announced.

### Continued Influence

- Metrovich's legacy continues to influence the Pittsburgh music scene and collectors of obscure rock n' roll.

- His dedication to unearthing rare tracks has made him a cult figure among music enthusiasts.

## Personal Life and Death

- Metrovich died on Halloween (October 31) in 2000, a date noted as "utterly appropriate" given his eccentric persona.

## References

[This section would typically include citations for the sources used, including the Pittsburgh City Paper article, the Times Online article, the LA Times reference, and any other verifiable sources.]

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**Note:** This article is a draft based on available information. Additional research and verification would be necessary for a comprehensive and fully accurate Wikipedia entry.