Peter C. Cavanaugh enjoyed a fifty-eight percent total audience share at the age of 16 in 1957 on his hometown radio station, WNDR-AM, in Syracuse, New York. Cavanaugh later wrote "Local DJ", an interwoven narrative on Rock 'n Roll culture from the late '50's through present times, optioned as a film project by Kathleen Glynn and Blue Lake Entertainment.

Cavanaugh produced and promoted hundreds of early concerts with the such acts as AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, KISS and so on, as well as running a seven station radio group which included the top-rated Rock 'n Roll stations in America. Cavanaugh introduced the world to a young Michael Moore in Flint, Michigan, on WTAC-AM and WWCK-FM with "Radio Free Flint" from 1979 through 1985.

After increasing annual sales revenue for Comcast Advertising in Michigan by 45% in a single year (2002 vs. 2001), Peter Cavanaugh founded Cavanaugh Communications, offering premium consultancy services from Oakhurst, California, near the entrance to Yosemite National Park.

PRESS RELEASE

September 2011

Peter C. Cavanaugh is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland has just unveiled a complete Museum redesign that tells the story of rock and roll in a more linear fashion and updates all museum technology to state-of-the-art including the interactive kiosks On the Air: Rock and Roll and Radio. Mr. Cavanaugh and his impact on rock music are featured in this exhibit.

As Executive Vice President of Reams Broadcasting, Peter ran a seven station radio group which included the top-rated Rock ‘n’ Roll stations in America -- WWCK in Flint (Spring ‘84) and WIOT in Toledo (Winter ‘91). Mr. Cavanaugh is former Chairman of the NBC Source Board, President of the ABC Radio Affiliates Board and  President of the Flint Area Advertising Federation. Peter lives in Oakhurst, California, with his wife, Eileen.

“Of all who had a major influence on me while growing up in the Midwest, none matched the audaciousness, tenacity and gonzo-like behavior of Peter Cavanaugh. He was more than just the rock ‘n roll guru who gave America its first encounters with The Who, Bob Seger and all the great Detroit bands (Ted Nugent, Alice Cooper, MC5, etc.) He was the one who taught me how to go up against the powers-that-be and live to tell all. Thank you, Peter Cavanaugh, for saving a generation of Flint kids from the likes of Pat Boone” -- Michael Moore

The On the Air: Rock and Roll and Radio kiosks are located in the Museum’s Ahmet Ertegun Hall in the Cities and Sounds gallery.