Lawrence James Travagliante – Kid Leo

Kid Leo started at WMMS in February, 1973. He became the afternoon drive DJ in 1974, holding that time slot until he left the station in December, 1988. In 1977 he was promoted to Music Director, and assumed the Operations Manager position in 1986. “To many, Kid Leo was WMMS. For sixteen years he was the pulse of the station, pumping music and life into the veins of listeners.” He was known for embracing new acts, and was credited with breaking many artists in the Cleveland market and giving them more advantage with greater national exposure. Some of those artists were Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Pat Benetar, Roxy Music, Cyndi Lauper, The Pretenders New York Dolls, and Southside Johnny. While at WMMS, Kid Leo became involved in the campaign to bring the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to Cleveland. For his efforts in helping secure the Rock Hall, former Cleveland mayor and then-Ohio governor George Voinovich presented him with the key to the city in 1990. His on-air work is represented as part of the permanent radio exhibit in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Kid Leo received many industry awards while in radio, and in 1980 was named one of the “Heavy Hundred: The High and Mighty of the Music Industry” in Rolling Stone magazine. He was also named Best Disc Jockey by Playboy magazine in their January, 1987 issue. His radio gravitas was also referenced in the director’s cut of Cameron Crowe’s 2000 motion picture, Almost Famous. In 2003 he was inducted into the Radio and Television Broadcasters’ Hall of Fame of Ohio. In 2013 CNN named Kid Leo one of the ten All-Time Great DJs.

Kid Leo joined Columbia Records in 1989 as Vice President of Artist Development. His first responsibilities were to oversee the Alternative, Jazz, Metal and Dance departments, and strengthen their presence within the company. He was named the label liaison for The Rolling Stones’ “Steel Wheels tour and collaborated with the band and their management on behalf of Columbia’s interests. He instituted the first promotion department at a major label that was solely dedicated to the Adult Album Alternative format. Kid Leo was directly involved with the campaigns that broke Alice in Chains, Shawn Colvin and Train. In 2002, he left Columbia Records but continued on as a consultant through 2004