Philadelphia PA, July 30, 2012 – Clear Channel Media+Entertainment in Philadelphia announced today that funeral arrangements have been confirmed for WDAS Radio Legend Joseph “Butterball” Tamburro, who died Friday at the age of 70. Funeral Mass will be conducted at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 1723 Race in Philadelphia on Thursday August 2, 2012 starting at 10:00 AM. WDAS FM devoted the weekend to remembering the broadcasting and civil rights icon with everyone from devoted listeners to recording artists who got their start from Butter to national figures such as the Reverend Al Sharpton calling in to the radio station.
WDAS FM was in the process of planning at 50th anniversary of his career in broadcasting. “Butter” was a broadcasting icon who never lost personal touch. Throughout his years in radio – Butter was responsible for giving many R&B artists their start. In addition to his contributions to broadcasting and the music industry, butterball was also an important figure in the local civil rights movement offering the airwaves to leaders like the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Cecil B. Moore.
In 1964, Butter was able to get his foot in the door of WDAS as an advertising salesman. He was nicknamed "Butterball" by Jimmy Bishop, the program director at the time. Within a few months, Butter became a part-time DJ and he began doing the first oldies show on black radio. Listeners loved both the oldies show and Butterball, and both remained a hit on WDAS. Butter was Program Director for WDAS FM and WDAS AM until a recent illness but was still active as an on air personality on WDAS AM. "Butter" spoke to his listeners rather than at them and created a strong connection. He once said, "I smile when I speak on the air."
Throughout the years, Butterball has been honored for excellence and service by two of the City of Philadelphia's former mayors (W. Wilson Goode and William Green). The NAACP, F.B.I., Philadelphia City Council, Pennsylvania State Legislature, American Jewish Committee, Martin Luther King Center for Change, and numerous other organizations have also paid tribute to Joe Tamburro. He has received awards and honors in the music industry from The Black Music Association, and from many trade publications such as R&R, Billboard Monitor, B.R.E. Magazine, Gavin Magazine, Impact and Jack The Rapper. Joe was the 1997 recipient of the Ken Garland Lifetime Achievement Award from the March of Dimes' A.I.R. Awards, and a 1997 Philadelphia Music Alliance inductee onto the Art Bank's Walk of Fame. Joe was the 1998 recipient of the Salute to Excellence Award. However, of all of his various accolades, he held dearest the love he felt from his listeners who welcome him into their homes each week as they listened to his broadcast and continued to support his show and WDAS-FM with high ratings.
Joseph Tamburro, born 1942, was married and the father of five children and the grandfather of eight. He collects old records and classic cars. He once aspired to become a race car driver. He was also a skilled auto mechanic, a lover of good foods, and a connoisseur of restaurants.
To comment on the his legacy go to WDAS FM’s Facebook Page or on Twitter @wdasfm
Today just one day after custody of Michael’s Children was revoked from Katherine and temporarily given to TJ Jackson the son of Tito Jackson, Katherine has returned home. In the wake of her return Prince, Paris, and Marlon Jackson have all taken to various media outlets to express their relief and happiness at her return. Although Katherine has return home the drama that surrounds the musical family continues. At the root of the problem is the Will of Michael Jackson, which doesn’t name any of his siblings as inheritors and the idea that that the Jackson siblings have that his estate' executors are stealing from the estate and or are taking advantage of the 82 year old Katherine. 
