Brant dies at 84
Pittsburgh: Word has been received of the death of bandleader, Pittsburgh TV pioneer, and former WJAS (1320) personality Bill Brant.
According to Jerry Vondas of the Tribune-Review, Brant died Feb. 5 after a long illness. He was 84.
A native of Washington County, Brant joined WWSW (970) during World War II, at age 19. He later became one of the early personalities at the city's first TV station, WDTV (3).
More recently, Brant had hosted the morning show at WJAS after that station adopted the "Music of Your Life" adult standards format in the early 1980s. Brant, a trumpet player, also led his own jazz band.
Readers’ Forum
Bill Brant was Pittsburgh’s Jack Paar. He was talking on TV in the early 50’s on the old channel 3, WDTV. His program was a mix of talk and local talent. It was the forerunner of TV talk shows.
While Bill disappeared for many years, when he returned to WJAS as the morning man, it was as if he had never left. That was before Bogut and Wheeler in that time slot.
For those that knew him and listened to him, he was a true Pittsburgh TV and radio personality. Not too many of them left.
Mike Smalley
West Mifflin
Mike Smalley - February 24, 2008 at 10:06 pm