New York Radio Personality “Paco” of Disco 92 WKTU Has Died

Manuel “Paco” Navarro, a former radio personality for Disco 92 WKTU-FM in NYC has died. He was 82. He was a phenomenal force in New York City radio.

Navarro had been battling stage four pancreatic cancer, as well as dementia and Alzheimers in recent years, was best known for his years as a New York radio personality during the golden age of disco.

A native of Puerto Rico, Navarro got his start in Spanish language radio and by the mid-1970s had secured a role at New York’s WJIT, where his radio voice and outgoing personality had garnered a major audience for him in the market.

When WJIT’s sister station WKTU transitioned to full disco, Navarro began hosting the 6-10 PM timeslot, and he became one of the most listened to DJs in New York. WKTU eventually toppled ratings leader and the country's number one radio station Top 40 Musicradio 77 WABC. 

Paco's popularity among mainstream listeners along with Frankie Crocker's programming at WBLS with Black listeners, started the exodus of radio listeners in New York City from AM radio to FM radio in the late 70's and early 80's. AM radio was longer the place to turn to on the radio for music.

Disco 92 WKTU had it's beginning in July 24, 1978 and ended on July 13, 1985 and was known as New York City's premier Disco station.  The legendary Paco was one of the stations most beloved personalities and will live on forever in the heart's of the original KTU's diehard disco fans.

The call letters of WKTU still lives on today at 103.5 FM. "103.5 KTU" The Beat of New York is a Rhythmic Hot AC formatted radio station owned by iHeartRadio.