George “Hound Dog” Lorenz was one of those white guys who got black people. He was daring and risked his own career by being bold enough to play songs by black artists on the radio in Buffalo. Buffalo, New York has produced some of the BIGGEST names in radio especially Black. Many Radio DJs from Buffalo still work in radio today and have for the past 50 years. One of the most famous DJs, when DJs were stars, from Buffalo was George “Hound Dog” Lorenz. The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society is presenting an exhibit about the radio legend until the end of this month (March) Born in Buffalo, the “Hound Dog” quickly gained a reputation as a progressive DJ, playing music from many unknown artists such as Fats Domino, Sam Cooke, and Little Richard. He also is credited for playing Elvis Presley who was considered risqué before most other Radio Station s. He is at the end of Elvis’ hit “Hound Dog”In 1964, Lorenz acquired the last remaining FM license in Buffalo, and signed on WBLK radio an Urban Radio Station . The “Hound Dog” continued to do broadcasts at WBLK until his death in 1972. “He took a risk advancing people that most of us would never had the opportunity to hear if it weren’t for the “Hound Dog,” says Melissa Brown, Executive Director of the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society.
