The Top Ten Radio DJs

As if CNN didn't have enough of its own problems these days, they decide to compile a list of the Top Ten Radio DJs of all time.   First, they need to base the list on the definition of a disc jockey.   To this humble old radio guy who unashamedly never made it bigger than a medium market like Hartford, I would think of a prominent DJ as one who excelled in being an air personality presenting music.   Howard Stern may have been a DJ in his early career, but is his claim to fame in a music environment?   No way!    If you're talking major radio personality, that's different.   Is a program director like Cleveland's Kid Leo a top DJ because he pioneered an album rock format?    Not necessarily.   He's an influential programmer.   Sure, Allan Freed deserved the DJ recognition for coining the term "rock n' roll" and exposing the new genre early on when few others would.   Cousin Brucie had one of the biggest radio audiences in history and Casey Kasem brought his countdown show nationwide, but I don't know how you can narrow down music radio's superstars to a Top Ten.   My favorite DJ is conspicuously absent from the list: WABC's Dan Ingram.   This guy had the quickest wit.  Big Dan was a decades-long essential ingredient of the most listened to station in the nation and an incredible commercial voiceover talent.   He's the "DJ's DJ."    CNN should have done a "Top 40 DJs" list, but Dan Ingram still should have made the Top Ten.