Larry Kane is the host of Voice of Reason. He is a consultant for NBC as well as a special contributor for KYW Newsradio. Kane is the author of the new book, “When They Were Boys, the True Story of the Beatles Rise to the Top.”
BROADCASTING CAREER IN PHILADELPHIA
Larry Kane, known as the dean of Philadelphia television news anchors, has been one of the nation’s most respected TV journalists for more than 53 years, and has recently marked his 55th anniversary in broadcasting. Kane is the current host of the Voice of Reason program on The Comcast Network (9:30 P.M Sunday nights in Pa., NJ. Maryland, DC and Virginia). Kane is also a special contributor for CBS’s KYW Newsradio, and is a consultant for NBC Sports Group, including regional sports networks and the Golf Channel, along with New England Cable News.
The Emmy Award-winning newsman was honored by the Mid-Atlantic Emmy organization with their Governor's Award in 2005, recognizing Lifetime Achievement. In the annals of broadcast history, Kane is best known for the success of Action News at WPVI in Philadelphia. While at WPVI, Kane helped propel the station in one year, from 1970 to 1971, to first place in the news ratings. The Action News format changed the face of contemporary broadcasting in the early 1970's, placing the emphasis on local news connected to extraordinary community involvement by stations across the country. His success brought him to New York and ABC News and WABC TV. After 18 months, he returned to Philadelphia and completed his unique trifecta, working for the NBC and CBS stations. Kane is the only news anchor to anchor a total of 38 years at all three Philadelphia owned and operated TV stations. His career in Philadelphia broadcasting is entering its 48th year.
His assignments have included: the Middle East peace talks, the return of the American hostages to Wiesbaden, West Germany, the devastating earthquake in Naples, Italy, the 1987 Superpower Summit between Reagan and Gorbachev, and an in-depth interview in Poland with Solidarity Leader Lech Walesa. In 1985 he and his colleagues at WCAU TV were honored with the prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for their coverage of the confrontation between Philadelphia Police and the radical group MOVE. In 1961, as a young radio News Director, Kane broke the story of the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba.
Kane has interviewed a virtual who's who of newsmakers, including every President from Lyndon Johnson to George W. Bush. In 1965 and 1966 Kane conducted groundbreaking radio interviews with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
AUTHOR
A veteran of 23 political conventions since 1964 (including the historic 2008 and 2012 conventions), Kane is perhaps most well known for his insight on American politics and government. Those stories were featured in 2000 in his first book "Larry Kane's Philadelphia,” a regional best seller.
In 2011, Kane released his first novel, “Death By Deadline”, a cautionary mystery about the dangers of bad information, and the risks of out-of-control local TV News operations.
WORK WITH THE BEATLES
As the only broadcast journalist to travel to every stop on the Beatle's 1964 and 1965 tours, Kane authored “Ticket to Ride” in 2003. Kane also authored “Lennon Revealed,” a New York Times and Los Angeles Times Bestseller in 2005. Kane is considered one of the premiere American experts on the life of John Lennon. On July 30, Kane’s internationally distributed book, “When They Were Boys, the True Story of the Beatles Rise to the Top,” is being released.
CHARITY WORK
Recognized as a leading proponent of the rights of the disabled, Kane is campaign chairman of the Delaware Valley Multiple Sclerosis Society. For 35 years Kane has broadcast weekly features on radio and TV in connection with the National Adoption Center to find homes for waiting children. He is also involved in many other non-profit endeavors.
PERSONAL LIFE
Kane resides in suburban Philadelphia with his wife Donna. Donna is the President of Dynamic Images Inc., a multi-faceted production company, and an officer of DJNY and its Unique Quest training product. Larry and Donna have a son, Michael, who lives in Connecticut with his wife Jennifer. They also have a daughter, Alexandra, who lives in suburban Philadelphia with her husband, Douglas Weiss. The Kane’s have three grandchildren.
EARLY LIFE
Kane was born in Brooklyn, New York to Jewish parents as Lawrence Larry Kanowitz. His parents changed the name years before his broadcasting career. Kane’s father was an electrical contractor. His mother, Mildred Kane, fought Multiple Sclerosis for 14 years before her death at age 40. His work with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society began because of his mother’s involvement with the disease.
Kane began his broadcast journalism career in Miami, Florida at the age of 16. He was first at WGAM and later at WAME and WFUN Radio. While working at WAME, Kane became the first U.S. news correspondent to break the story of the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961.
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