New York DJ and radio personality Scott Muni died last night at the age of seventy-four.

A long-time fixture at WNEW-FM, Muni had worked at classic rock station Q104.3 for the past six years. The station issued a statement regarding his passing that read in part, "He was a magnificent individual, who was passionate about radio and truly loved by listeners."

Known on-air as "Scottso" and "The Professor," Muni got his start in radio during a stint in the Marines while stationed in Guam. In August 1972, he unwittingly became part of the inspiration for the Sidney Lumet film Dog Day Afternoon when a man holding hostages after a bungled bank robbery called Muni on his show.

A DJ during Beatlemania, Muni continued to honor that obsession on his most recent program, beginning each of his Monday through Friday slots with a "Beatles Block."

Scott Muni is survived by his wife and five children.

• 
  MUSIC 100 Greatest Debut Albums
• 
  MOVIES 'Great Gatsby' Is a Crushing Disappointment
• 
  TV Why You Should Watch 'Happy Endings'
• 
  POLITICS No Price Big Banks Can't Fix

Song Stories