To A Pair of Absent Friends

The past several days have seen the loss of two of Pittsburgh's show biz icons, Chuck Brinkman and Barbara Russell.

Chuck Brinkman

1935-2018

Chuck Brinkman was one of those guys that just doesn't exist anymore - a radio disc jockey of consequence in the marketplace.  In the 1960's and into the 1970's, Brinkman was the lead DJ on Pittsburgh's preeminent Top 40 Rock & Roll station, KQV.  He was one of the Groovy QV's "Fun Loving Five", and he was the guy who took to the stage at the Civic Arena in 1964 to introduce The Beatles in their only appearance in Pittsburgh.

He left KQV in the early seventies, spent some time at WTAE, then moved on to other markets, living in Texas since 1983.  He was 83 years old.

Porky Chadwick, Clark Race, Chuck Brinkman, Terry Lee.  All major players as DJ's in the Pittsburgh market place.  All of them gone now.  

Barbara Russell

1933-201

Barbara Russell was indeed a local show biz legend.  A comedienne and improvisational performer, she was part of the famed local comedy team of Brockett and Barbara when she teamed with the late Don Brockett.  

I can recall seeing Brockett and Barbara perform at shows at St. Philomena School years ago (and how did that ever happen?).  She was also a regular on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, and she was still performing locally in dinner theater into her eighties.

I suppose that every large city has local legends like Chuck Brinkman and Barbara Russell.  Something of the fabric of the City is lost when they leave us.

RIP Barbara Russell and Chuck Brinkman.