Wynn Rosenberg, known around Northeast Ohio as “The Mud” or “John J. Mudcliffe,” passed away Saturday night in a hospital room in Scottsdale, Ariz.
A Beachwood High School graduate of the class of ’72, “The Mud” started his career as the morning man at Cleveland’s M105 (WWWM-FM) in 1975. It was an Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) station that took on the mighty Buzzard, WMMS. Mudcliffe was not only able to take them on; he beat the Buzzard in the dayparts.
His style of radio was Howard Stern before Howard found himself, “Morning Zoo” before anyone coined the term. Once, to protest the high price of coffee, he covered his body in tea bags and jumped into Lake Erie on the air.
“Mud’s” antics were covered several times in the Cleveland Press and was the cover story on the April 21, 1977, edition of Scene Magazine (pictured above).
He left Cleveland radio in 1979 and took on the name Wynn Richards for the rest of his career, with notable stops in Buffalo and Seattle.
In Buffalo, he was the program director for WWKB-AM where he put Howard Stern on the air in 1991, immediately after Stern received the highest fine ever given by the FCC. It helped Stern reach a Canadian audience and expand internationally.
Arriving in Seattle in the mid-90s at the height of the grunge movement, he took his rock & roll attitude to a country format (KYCW-FM, Young Country 96.5). It worked. At times, you could hear the Who, Led Zeppelin or AC/DC between Garth Brooks, George Strait and Reba McEntire.
A rebellious attitude, but fun-loving spirit, he told his listeners to call him “Uncle Wynn,” and they did in droves. He’d always say “I’m Uncle Wynn, I’m your new neighbor,” but listeners treated him like family.
The Mud did make a return to Cleveland airwaves in 2008. He took over the morning show from Howard Stern on WNCX-FM, an extremely hard act to follow.
Rosenberg died from complications related to diabetes. He is survived by his wife, Tami, and 2 sons, Jeramy and Robert.
Obituary courtesy of Robert Rosenberg.
This article appears in Aug 5-11, 2015.
Wynn wasn’t Stern’s direct replacement on WNCX back in 2006. That moment of infamy fell upon David Lee Roth as part of CBS Radio’s “Free FM” regional hot talk format disaster.
DLR only lasted a few weeks, forcing WNCX to scramble for a replacement host, ultimately bringing Wynn, Mike Olszewski and Kim Mihalik aboard for “Mud, Mihalik and Mike.” He lasted at WNCX until 2008, when Scott Miller and Jeff Blanchard took over.
Wynn was there at my very first radio gig- WLYT-FM Cleveland Hgts. We became fast friends and spent a lot of time together outside the station, going to dinner and messin’ with cars. Big talent from a big man. Sorry to hear this sad news.
Very nice tribute to a wonderful man!
I think Robert wrote a wonderful tribute for his father. I can see Wynn had many followers and fans who respected and admired his talent. I get annoyed at people who have to nitpick at the details in the comments like that “Nathan” did.
I knew Wynn way back in the late 70s when we were part of a group of video collectors in the Cleveland area. Wynn was the photographer at my wedding in 1980, and we kept in touch throughout the 80s and 90s. In 2007 I videotaped him during his morning show at WNCX (that footage is still on YouTube). He was a great radio personality and an excellent friend, and I still can’t believe he’s gone. RIP, Uncle Wynn.
Also notable was “Dial on down to Disco 92” which really put WLYT on the map, with Wynn as PD. & who could ever remember WELW-FM Country as “Dusty Rhodes”?
& minor correction; Beachwood Class of ’73 (although we would have liked getting out in ’72).
I worked with Wynn at M105. He had a few gigs as John J. Mudcliffe at 92.3 and elsewhwere before coming on board at M105. The original M105 morning man was Chuck Browning, who came to Cleveland from Colorado.
Great concert tix! He always got me the best seats in the house! My elder brother of 8 years, Wynn bore the nagging of his 14 yr old sister for everything from Heart, Meatloaf, every Worrld series of Rock concert at the old Stadium ( much to my parents chagrin), and Blossom- when you could bring your own grub, alcohol, and other mind altering substances. New Years Eve concerts at the Coliseum with my fav Todd and sitting in 5th row! On few occasions he even let me answer the phones at the station. Honestly, I never really understood just how groundbreaking he was in those days. I was just his little sister. I love hearing these stories from his road. Many I never knew about. RIP Wynn, the last few months were really tough ones.
Great concert tix! He always got me the best seats in the house! My elder brother of 8 years, Wynn bore the nagging of his 14 yr old sister for everything from Heart, Meatloaf, every Worrld series of Rock concert at the old Stadium ( much to my parents chagrin), and Blossom- when you could bring your own grub, alcohol, and other mind altering substances. New Years Eve concerts at the Coliseum with my fav Todd and sitting in 5th row! On few occasions he even let me answer the phones at the station. Honestly, I never really understood just how groundbreaking he was in those days. I was just his little sister. I love hearing these stories from his road. Many I never knew about. RIP Wynn, the last few months were really tough ones.
I remember hearing Wynn as The Mud on M105 back in the late 70’s one Saturday morning. I was never so impressed with a DJ as I was listening to Wynn. He brought many difficult issues facing Cleveland at the time to the fore front of radio. R.I. P. Wynn.
For some reason, I never saw this story when it was first published.
With all due respect to the man, “The Mud” never beat WMMS in any ratings period at any time.
Let’s keep the story straight and not try to re-write history.
OK, “rock fan”….Any serious FM/classic rock aficionado would agree that M-105 “smoked” ‘MMS on their worst day. ‘MMS just had the knack for over the top marketing…………