“Super Jay” Johnson was born in Louisville, grew up in Chicago and, after serving in Germany as an Army medic during the Vietnam era, returned to Chicago.
He studied broadcasting at Columbia College, and with his new wife’s support, a little luck and a lot of nerve and ability, he landed at Chicago’s WGRT in 1968 as “Orange Juice Jay.” He was quickly wooed across town to WVON, “The Black Giant,” where he was among the legendary charismatic radio jocks known as “the Good Guys.”
WTLC in Indianapolis got its first taste of Super Jay’s booming voice in the mid 1970s. Adding program director to his resume, Super Jay was an architect of “Power 105 WTLC” and its “Air Force” (a phrase he coined for the broadcasters on his team) that dominated Indy through the ‘90s.
His influence helped launch Indiana Black Expo and the Circle City Classic to national prominence.
Super Jay rubbed elbows with Muhammed Ali, Bill Withers, Jesse Jackson, Flip Wilson, Quincy Jones and others. He brought the likes of Barry White home for dinner and once had Michael Jackson call his daughter Tiffany – just to say “hi.”
Super Jay believed broadcasting was a force for both excellence and change. As program director, he expected the very best from his staff, often squeezing his air force into a small office for impromptu air-check sessions. Even on Sunday evenings, he could be found in the studio with his young family in tow, splitting tape and preparing commercials for the week ahead. That same dedication carried into his community, where he worked closely with Rev. Jesse Jackson, supported Operation PUSH and participated in the 1981 March on Washington advocating for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday to become a national holiday.
Love was in the details for Super Jay whether he was on-air at WTLC, or on WISH-TV doing entertainment, weather or hosting “Black Focus.”
He received the Key to the City from Mayor Hudnut, a Distinguished Hoosier Award from Governor Braun, a Sagamore of the Wabash, and multiple announcer and program director of the year industry accolades from both Billboard and from Black Radio Exclusive.
Super Jay did national voice over work through JJE Voice Works, his own company. Later in his career, he worked in Dallas and LA with ABC and Westwood One networks.
Super Jay Johnson passed away in 2025 and his voice shaped cities, communities and generations.
