If you were unsure about new wave in the '80s, WMNF DJs Pam Wiener Dubrule and her husband John were there to help you understand. Their Saturday show — Radical Noise, which aired from 2:30 to 4 p.m. according to old-school Miami zine Suburban Relapse — found the Dubrules bringing new wave, punk and world music to the forefront of the the community radio station at a time when commercial radio was still failing to embrace the sounds.
On Wednesday morning, Pam’s fans and the WMNF community at large woke up to the news that she had passed away at the age of 65.
“My darling Pam, the love of my life passed away at home this morning in her sleep,” John wrote on social media. Her sister Gale, 13-year-old daughter LiLi and John were close by according to the post.
“Every who knew her was touched by her kindness," he added. "We will all miss her.”
The Roslyn, New York native studied law at Boston University where she met John. A longtime attorney at Gulfcoast Legal Services, Dubrule went to law school to help people and did just that during a more than three decades long career working primarily with homeless and/or disabled clients who needed assistance collecting public benefits, securing safe housing or finding stable income streams.
“I really care about my clients — not just as clients but as people,” Dubrule, a lover of Lightning hockey, wrote in a bio. “I have always considered my job as part lawyer and part social worker.”
Dubrule helped people on the radio, too, even in locations where WMNF — where she volunteered for more than 20 years — was barely listenable.
“You two were so important in this new immigrant to America's life,” Nadeem Khan wrote on Facebook. Khan, who would try and listen from Orlando, said that Tampa was the only place his old band, Operation Bell Bottoms, could play while Orlando’s scene was still coming up.
“When we met [John] and Pam it was a joy, [they] were champions for odd music and musicians. I'm heartbroken,” he added.
Pam and John also played a role in launching the Nairobi Niteclub project, which spread the good word about African and world beat music. There’s even public access footage from a dance party held at the Rathskeller tavern in the cellar of Plant Hall at the University of Tampa.
"Pam and John were absolutely instrumental in bringing amazing world music artists like Haiti's Boukman Eksperyans to our area, through WMNF radio and with shows at Skipper's and elsewhere,” Philip Booth, a Bay area music writer and member of Acme Jazz Garage told CL. “They have been real evangelists for global music and culture."
We’ll update this post with any public memorial or donation links.
This article appears in Nov 29 – Dec 6, 2018.