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Arthur Penhallow (born December 20, 1943) is a radio presenter who worked in Detroit, Michigan hosting afternoons on rock station WRIF from 1970-2009. On March 30, 2009, WRIF owner Greater Media announced that the station and Penhallow had been unable to come to terms on a new contract. [1]
Penhallow was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is a Vietnam veteran served in the USAF from 1962 through 1968. Before beginning his tenure with WRIF, Art was a drummer for The Vejtables, and toured with the Mamas & the Papas. Under the name "Cicero Grimes", he worked at WNRZ in Ann Arbor in 1970, and then moved to WRIF's predecessor, WXYZ-FM, which at the time was airing a syndicated progressive-rock format distributed by ABC called "Love". Penhallow was one of the "Love" format's local announcers and stayed on as WXYZ-FM transitioned to an all-local air staff and moved from progressive rock to the then-new "album oriented rock" format as WRIF.
Penhallow played himself in the film The Upside of Anger .
In January 2009, Penhallow's contract expired at WRIF and he was off the air for more than a month before finally releasing a statement on March 27, on his Facebook page saying: "It appears that my days in Detroit radio are over for now. Thanks for your support over the last 39 years....I shall return." [1]
After months of negotiations, WRIF management and Penhallow were unable to come to an agreement on the terms of his contract. "We are disappointed that we couldn't come to a contractual agreement with Arthur," said Greater Media Market Manager, John Gallagher. "He is obviously a legend in the market and his many years of service to the industry are deeply appreciated. He will be sorely missed." [1] He has since announced a departure from Detroit, relocating to Texas to be closer with family.