Michael Santullo

Michael J. Santullo, a well-known broadcaster and political personality, died August 14 in Albuquerque. He was 77.

Santullo, a native of New York City, came to Albuquerque with his parents Faye and Anthony Santullo in the early 1970’s where the family opened a well-received Italian restaurant. 

His parents and sister, Roslynn, preceded him in death. He is survived by his husband Daniel Gonzales. Mike's first love was broadcasting and he became one of the city and state’s best known radio personalities. He pioneered the talk radio format he had learned in New York at KZIA and later at KOB and other stations. 

He sprinkled in celebrity interviews along the way, ranging from Senator Ted Kennedy to legendary entertainer Arthur Godfrey. He even debated atheist Madlyn Murray O'Hair on-air and fought her to a draw. 

Any New Mexico politician worth their salt including Bruce King, Bill Richardson and Manuel Lujan were all repeat guests at his table. "Mike had a very quick wit and a big heart," recalled Jay Howard Deme whose family owned KZIA. "He had a voracious appetite for news, the ability to ad lib endlessly and an opinion on everything under the sun. How could his talk shows not be compelling?"

Santullo, fluent in Spanish and Italian, was also a notable radio news journalist, taking the helm of KQEO where in 1980 he ably covered the historic 1980 prison riot in Santa Fe for both local and national outlets. 

He was a force in the political arena and even had his own hopes for political office. He made runs for mayor of Albuquerque (in '74), BernCo treasurer and state representative. He ran as both a Republican and Democrat and later became an independent. 

Although he never won elective office his media career established him as one of the city’s more colorful characters to. He did land in the upper tier of government when Albuquerque Mayor Ken Schultz tapped him (in '85) as the city's Communications Director. 

After four years at City Hall he returned to radio, hosting the ABQ Balloon Fiesta and talk shows on KOB while serving as the director of the Newsline for the Blind program at the NM Commission for the Blind, gathering volunteers to record the daily newspaper and other news sources for the state's visually impaired. 

For decades he served as master of ceremonies for the annual Brother Mathias St. Patrick’s Day dinner and sat on the board of the Brothers of the Good Shepherd.

Santullo shocked Albuquerque when he arrived on the scene, shouting down disagreeing listeners and literally pounding his studio table over the controversies of the day. He repeatedly challenged the city's establishment including the newspaper and Chamber of Commerce. But he loved his adopted city and state and strove to make them better. 

Santullo enjoyed the local celebrity spotlight but did not take it for granted. 

"People like to be catered to,” he said. "The people who listened to me were ordinary people but I always remembered that they were the ones who elected presidents. They paid attention to me and I did the same for them."