Saint Paul Pioneer Press (Minnesota)
March 22, 2003 Saturday
SECTION: LOCAL; Pg. 9C
LENGTH: 281 words
HEADLINE: OBITUARIES: Darrell Mulroy, 58, disc jockey
BYLINE: Pioneer Press
BODY:
Darrell Mulroy, a well-known Twin Cities disc jockey who played oldies on WWTC-AM under the name "Ugly Del Roberts,'' has died at the age of 58.
Mulroy died in his sleep Sunday at his home in Minneapolis.
He began his radio career with KDWB-FM in the Twin Cities in 1965 after graduating from Brown Institute.
At a meeting with Jack Douglas, the news director, and Sam Sherwood, general manager of KDWB at the time, Mulroy was asked to come up with a radio name because Darrell Mulroy wasn't catchy enough. They quickly decided on Del for a first name.
"Sam had a Roberts recorder in his office and Jack said, 'Roberts.' That is where Del Roberts came from," Mulroy explained on his Web site.
Mulroy worked for several radio stations in Minnesota and South Dakota before quitting radio work in 1970.
"I was burned out and wanted out," he said on the Web site.
Mulroy became a private investigator but joined WWTC in 1979 to play oldies, his first love in music.
He was also founder of Plus P Technology, offering firearms and self-defense training.
For the past year, Mulroy had played oldies on "The Saturday Night Cruise'' on WWTC.
"When I go into the studio, the years fall off and I'm cruising once again," he said on his Web site.
Mulroy urged his fans to cruise around in their cars and enjoy life.
"Have that hot fudge sundae or greasy burger and onion rings," he said on his Web site. "Pile the cheese on the fries."
Mulroy is survived by his wife, Tiffany; a son, Del, Minneapolis; daughters Wendee and Courtnee Mulroy, Pierre, S.D.; a stepson, Adam; and four grandchildren.
A celebration of his life was held Thursday at Broadway Pizza in Minneapolis.