Dean Johnson

I met Dean Johnson shortly after joining WCOZ in late August of 1975. After the station introduced a new album-oriented rock (AOR) format, he called to request an interview and by the time we finished our first of what would be many chats over the years, I felt I’d just found my new best friend. I’d wager that everyone felt the exact same way after meeting him.

Dean reached out to me because he was interested in and enthusiastic about the launch of WCOZ in what was a basically a “one rock radio town” dominated by WBCN. On the premise that there were already two flourishing daily papers in Boston, he was sure both stations could co-exist and be mutually successful. Over the years, he was always generous in reviewing the various programs, events and records that I produced while at WCOZ and he continued to cover my activities after I moved to other stations.

Career path, Love of Maine

Dean began his career writing for Sweet Potato magazine, based in Portland, Maine. Upon moving to Boston, he started freelancing for The Boston Globe, making his mark covering both music and radio. Not long afterwards, he was hired as a full-time writer for The Boston Herald, where, in the minds of many, he became the paper’s featured writer. In later years, he enjoyed a long stint at The Lowell Sun and contributed to Merrimack Valley magazine.  

Outside the professional realm, Dean absolutely loved Maine. While he grew up in Chelmsford, Massachusetts and lived in nearby Lowell for years, his family had roots in the state and ran a summer business there. He and his wife of 39 years, Denyse, returned to the Vacation State so often they bought a second home in Kennebunkport, known affectionately as “the flamingo house” since over 30 pink plastic flamingos and hundreds of sand dollars colorfully dotted their yard near the water. Had Dean enjoyed a longer life, I have no doubt that the curation would have overwhelmed the state.

Stand-up supporter, WCAP, WBZ, Death, Legacy

During the height of the Boston comedy scene in the ’80s and early ’90s, Dean expanded his repertoire to writing about the city’s wealth of solo talent. On any given night, he could be spotted at shows by stand-up comics including Jay Leno, Denis Leary, Lenny Clarke, Steven Wright, DJ Hazard, Dick Doherty, Conan O’Brien, Paula Poundstone, Bobcat Goldthwait, Jimmy Tingle, Don Gavin, Barry Crimmins and many others. Perhaps because Dean and Barry Crimmins shared the same concerns for helping the  helpless and preyed upon, they worked together successfully for a time. Eventually his creative journey led him to radio, where he enriched the overnight airwaves of WCAP and WBZ. At each station his hospitality, warmth and subtle wit garnered him countless loyal fans.

Dean Johnson, husband, writer, radio host, friend and comfort to many, died December 1, 2021, too soon and too young at age 67. Though he was a devout Jehovah’s Witness, he rarely talked about it and he had a remarkable ability to make others feel special. In the Lowell and Chelmsford communities, he was particularly known for helping those in grief and his love for and devotion to Denyse was a model to us all. He will forever be listed in the pantheon of highly accomplished Boston music writers, but I believe his ability to make others feel good and laugh was his greatest gift.

Count me among the legions of friends who were lucky enough to  know Dean and call him a friend. “Till we meet again.”

(by Lesley Palmiter)