Radio Broadcasting Pioneer, Andrew Langston, Founder of WDKX, dies

Andrew A. Langston founded Rochester's only African-American owned radio station in 1974.

His determination to succeed makes WDKX-FM (103.9) a powerful force in the Rochester community. It is also an example of the importance of maintaining minority owned businesses in the media industry. Mr. Langston, who was chief executive officer of the station, died Thursday, according to station officials. He was 83.

Much more on his life and legacy...

WDKX-FM (103.9) went on the air on April 6, 1974, with the initials of Frederick Douglass, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X -African-American leaders revered by Andrew Langston. In an interview posted on the station's website; Mr. Langston talked about his commitment to the community, radio and business.

He came to Rochester, according to the Rochester Business Journal, with the ambition of launching a broadcasting career after a job offer he got over the telephone from a radio audition tape he sent to a local station. He had worked on Wall Street and was a writer at CBS News...But when he arrived at the job, management refused to see him. This incident inspired him to start his own radio station.

WDKX provides a great tribute and remembers the legacy of it's founder on its web page.