Scott Muni’s connection to The Beatles dates back to 1964, when the band first arrived in the United States, especially in New York City, where Beatlemania quickly took hold. At the time, Scott was the night DJ at WABC, the dominant Top 40 station in the market and the leading source of music for teens and young adults. As one of New York’s most influential radio voices, Scott built an early and lasting relationship with the Beatles during those first historic visits.
By 1976, Scott was hosting at WNEW-FM when life brought a remarkable coincidence. His wife Jeannie was expecting their youngest daughter at a New York City hospital at the very same time that Yoko Ono was preparing to give birth to her son Sean with John Lennon. While waiting for their wives to deliver, Scott and John spent hours together talking and passing the time, forming a personal bond that went well beyond music.
Over the years, whenever John was in New York, he would often visit Scott at WNEW to appear on the air. One memorable moment included John personally introducing his album Rock 'n' Roll during a broadcast.
After John Lennon’s assassination in 1980, Scott honored his friend in a way that became a defining part of his show. He began opening each broadcast with three songs by the Beatles or by the individual members. This tribute continued for years during his afternoon shifts. Even after moving to Q104.3, Scott kept the tradition alive, beginning his noon program with a dedicated Beatles block. Now it continues on WFDU, carried forward by his longtime colleague and friend, Mark Chernoff.
For Scott Muni, the music was never just part of the job. His connection to John Lennon and the Beatles became one of the most meaningful chapters of his legendary New York radio career.
Mark Chernoff’s first show on WNEW-FM aired on Thanksgiving Day in 1985, filling in for Scott Muni. He opened the broadcast with the words, “It’s two o’clock. I’m Mark Chernoff for Scott Muni. Here are The Beatles.”
It was an emotional moment. Chernoff was shaking and close to tears, hardly able to believe he was on the air at WNEW-FM. Even though it was a holiday and he was filling in, the significance of sitting in Muni’s chair was not lost on him.
At the time, Chernoff was serving as the station’s music director. A little more than a year later, he would be promoted to Program Director, marking the next chapter in his career at the legendary New York rock station. Now he brings all of those stories and music knowledge to 89.1fm WFDU every Wednesday from 9a-1p!
