PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Many are mourning the loss of SportsRadio 94WIP icon and beloved Philadelphia legend Big Daddy Graham, who died on Wednesday evening.
Graham, born Edward Gudonis, was one of the most popular and well known voices on SportsRadio 94WIP, beloved by many. He hosted his one-of-kind overnight show for over 20 years.
Graham had a style all is own. Mike Angelina, 94WIP overnight producer, says he was a good listener and wasn't afraid of being, perhaps, impolite to his callers.
"Like, he was never cookie-cutter with how he took calls. Every call is different, and if a guy said something wrong or crazy or just dumb, he was on it."
That characteristic comes through in these responses to two callers:
In addition to talking Philadelphia sports fans through countless ups and downs over the years, Graham was a comedian, podcast and Quizzo host, author, writer and TV guest. His goal was simply to entertain people.
While his impact and list of accomplishments is long, Graham's legacy at the station can currently be seen through his daughter, Ava Graham, every day on the morning show.
In the past couple of years, Graham was off the air after being paralyzed from the waist down following a severe and sudden spinal injury.
WIP colleague Angelo Cataldi said Graham was "as Philadelphia as Philadelphia can get." Cataldi opened up the morning show on Thursday remembering him, with station employees sharing their memories as well.
"WIP lost one of its best people, and this city lost one of its cherished, most talented entertainers," Cataldi said. "We all here at WIP are devastated by the news."
Ed Gudonis, Big Daddy Graham, was 68. He is survived by his wife, Debbie, his daughters, Keely and Ava, his sons-in-law, Matthew and Billand, and grandchildren.
There are currently no details about a memorial service.
Dave Uram produced Big Daddy Graham's show at WIP for about a year and a half, from 2013 to 2015.