Arthur Penhallow
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Arthur Penhallow (born 1944 in Honolulu, Hawaii) is a legend in Detroit radio history. He has hosted the same time slot at the same radio station (WRIF) (101.1 FM) since 1971. Listeners say his name "Arthur Penhallow, BABY," with the emphasis on the last word. Fans listen to his program as much for the music as the between-the-lines stories he dangles over the air waves about Detroit's rock and roll heavies.
Before beginning his long tenure with WRIF, Art had toured with a band that played with the Mamas and the Papas, among others. Being born in Honolulu had not kept him away from California, Oregon, Washington or the great Southwest, where he met many of the rock and roll stars he's still friends with today. Ultimately a rock and roll friend led him to Detroit, where he got off to a roaring start in radio. Under the name "Cicero Grimes," he worked at WNRZ-FM (now WWWW) in Ann Arbor in 1970, and then moved to WRIF's predecessor, WXYZ-FM, which at the time was airing a syndicated progressive-rock format distributed by ABC called "Love." Penhallow was one of the "Love" format's local announcers and stayed on as WXYZ-FM transitioned to an all-local air staff and moved from progressive rock to the then-new "album oriented rock" format as WRIF.
Penhallow owns afternoon drive in Detroit. He has held court in the same time slot on WRIF's airwaves for over 35 years, a reign that is virtually unrivaled anywhere in contemporary radio history.
Penhallow's trademark growl and legendary party animal spirit are the key to his uncontested success. His rock and roll battle cry "BABY!" is one of WRIF's most popular bumper sticker slogans and is imitated by Detroiters of all ages.
Penhallow played himself in the film The Upside of Anger.