A local radio icon has passed away.
Lee Davis, the former owner of WCUB and WLTU, died after a battle with some general health problems at the age of 90.
Lee’s journey to Manitowoc took him all over the country.
He started his career in radio in high school when he joined the radio club.
His talent was immediately noticed, and he was hired by a radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
While talking with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association for his Hall of Fame video, Lee said he was immediately hooked.
“I just love radio,” he said bluntly. “When I first started, people said, ‘Why are you getting into radio? TV is coming along. You ought to be in TV.’ I said, ‘But radio is fun.’”
Lee would take his talents to Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, and Chicago before finally coming to Manitowoc when he was hired as the General Manager of WCUB/WLTU, stations he would become the sole owner of in 1988.
“I discovered that I don’t like big corporations,” Davis noted. “It was hard for me to adapt to them and them to me, frankly. I like small-market radio. I love it.”
Lee was also the host of The Breakfast Club on WCUB for over 30 years, a program that still runs today.
Lee has always been described as a leader, not a follower, and that is no more evident than in his relationship with a fellow local radio legend, Don Seehafer.
While most radio stations in the same market would battle each other for sponsorships and ratings, Lee and Don broke the mold and actually worked together on a lot of things.
“We’re partners in this community,” Davis said at the time. “We really care about the community. We enjoy the relationship that we have had with our stations. I’ve had difficulties in my life. He’s the first guy there to help.”
“They call on clients together. They make sales pitches together, and they do everything together for the community,” explained John Laabs, Former President and CEO of the WBA. “That’s what the radio industry ought to be about.”
Lee is survived by his wife, Joan, who is planning a small service in their Florida community in the near future.
A local celebration of life is also in the works, but a date and time have not been announced.
