Huggy Boy: RIP
mannybolone
Los Angeles, CA 15,025 Posts
August 30, 2006Approximately 4:00 amMemorial Hospital in Long Beach Los Angeles radio personality and beloved member of the Chicano community Dick Hugg ???Huggy Boy??? passed away this morning after he suffered a cardiac arrest. Hugg who was 78-years-old got his start on radio at Dolphin???s of Hollywood located on Central and Vernon for radio station KRKD. Spinning R&B hits was his thing especially the ballads, something he picked up from Chicano kids while he was the manager of the Boulevard Theater on Whittier Blvd. Since those days in the early fifties Huggy Boy has been more than just a deejay on the radio. Though his radio and Television shows he promoted almost every young Chicano group coming out of East Los Angeles, San Gabriel, Pomona, and the Valley. With his long time Partner Eddie Torres they promoted dances and shows that featured Thee Midniters, the Jaguars, the Village Callers, and many bands that called the barrio their home. They also brought to East Los Angeles groups like Them, Sonny and Cher, the Righteous Brothers and Dusty Springfield, acts that may otherwise have not been accessible to Mexican-American audiences. At a time when being Mexican-American in Los Angeles was not an easy thing especially for teenage kids Hugg gave us a place for our music, for our dedications and a place to announce the dances and shows that made the Eastside Sound what it is. If your ever cruising down Whittier Blvd. Heading west just past Arizona you may notice on you right hand side above all of the hustle and bustle on the street level an old vertical marquee that simply says: Huggy Boy. He left his mark on our community and for many of us he will always have a place in our hearts. Dick Hugg leaves behind his loving wife Sandy and a family that includes his Son Richard, 3 daughters, 4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.
Comments