Carter Alan

Carter Alan, disc jockey and writer, began his career at MIT’s all-volunteer radio station, WMBR, before joining WBCN in 1979. Within a year he was heading up the station’s annual local battle of the bands, the WBCN Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble. Carter became music director at the station in 1986 and remained in that position until 1998 when he transferred to BCN’s sister station Classic Rock WZLX where he currently resides as assistant Program Director and host of the midday show and “Sunday Morning Blues”. Carter can lay claim to first introducing U2 to America. In 1980 he discovered and played “I Will Follow” which became a hit at WBCN. He went on to not only befriend the group but to write two definitive books on the band: Outside is America and U2: The Road to Pop. In addition, he co-authored Life on the Road – the Incredible Rock and Roll Adventures of Dinky Dawson, a colorful story of an English roadie living in Boston who worked with Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, the Byrds and many more. Carter’s 4th book is the definitive Radio Free Boston: The Rise and Fall of WBCN, a comprehensive story of the legendary radio station that was dissolved by CBS Radio in 2009. In 2017 Carter’s fifth book, Decibel Diaries: A Story of Rock in 50 Concerts, appeared. Winner of numerous “Music Director of the Year” awards from Billboard Magazine, Carter has interviewed countless artists and has MC’d rock shows across New England. Throughout his illustrious career his passion for music remains nonpareil. (Bio from Music Museum of New England)