Some may remember listening to your favorite radio broadcast and radio personality on a transistor radio, well it is still happening in Philadelphia thanks to Joseph Morinelli and his program Radio Voice Italia (RVI). RVI airs every Wednesday evening from 6-9pm EST. RVI is reminiscent of the 60’s and 70’s AM radio incorporating jingles and custom radio promos synonymous with that period.
Since 2013, Joseph (Joe) Morinelli as the founder/co-host/producer of RVI is still going at it with preserving Italian American traditions through interviews and music. RVI is heard in every state across the USA and in twenty-seven countries. RVI USA is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s 250-Year celebrations global partner with covering related event information for 2026. From time to time, RVI will be streaming LIVE on location from the greater Philadelphia area up to and beyond July 4, 2026. The RVI promo message is “The Cradle of Liberty 250 from the city where it all began” – https://video.ibm.com/recorded/134707718 (audio only).
RVI has been operating as an Italian American themed international radio media company known for its live and archived internet radio broadcasts and community events. Joe with co-host and executive producer Dee Loglisci, the station blends cultural programming, music, and news to connect Italian culture/heritage in the U.S./Italy audiences.
Joe is a veteran of 1970s broadcast radio, he began RVI to share Italian American culture, news, and music online. His career includes work as a disc jockey and radio host in Baltimore, Maryland (at WFMM 93.1 FM). Most famously, he was part of the sound detail with the White House advance team for President Gerald Ford’s Independence Hall speech in Philadelphia on July 4, 1976. He has spent nearly 55 years in sound and radio broadcast, with extensive expertise in historical sound equipment.
Joe’s professional sound installations, in addition to Philadelphia’s Independence Hall in 1976 include many other Philadelphia venues; the "Robin Hood Dell" (now the Mann Music Center) "Palumbo’s/CR Club", (famed South Philly Italian restaurant and nightclub) "The Valley Forge Music Fair", theater in the round, and "The Living History Center" in Philadelphia. Joe has served as the Columbus Day parade announcer in Philadelphia for many years, and 2026 being his 10th year.
Over the decades, Joe has interviewed and showcased on RVI native Philadelphia (South Philly) music legends to include Charles Graci, better known as Charlie Gracie, who is said to be Philadelphia’s first music rock and roll star. Charlie Gracie was born in South Philly to first generation Sicilian-American parents.
RVI archives or known as the vault is where you can find past segments that include legendary Philadelphian born Mario Lanza (born Alfredo Arnold Cocozza) tenor and Hollywood film star 100th birthday broadcast. https://video.ibm.com/recorded/129272619
Joe has interviewed the legendary soprano Elaine Malbin who did a duet with Mario Lanza. Other interviews include fans of Mario Lanza from around the world.
Other legendary music icons from South Philadelphia include Vincent Montana, Jr., and his daughter Denise Montana. More widely known as Vince Montana, his musical career is truly a success story and duly documented. Writing, arranging, producing, and conducting his unique style of dance music, he gained a worldwide reputation as a dance music pioneer of the Disco Era. Montana was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2013 and in 2016 to the Philadelphia “Walk of Fame.” He is best known all over for genres that include jazz, soul, and disco.
Since 2023, Joe has been the manager of "Dominika Zamara", renowned operatic soprano. Dominika lives in Milano and has garnered awards from multiple countries, including the United States. Her solo performances and world premieres include Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center in NYC. Recently Joe attended the recital performance by Dominika at the Istituto Italiano Cultura (Italian Cultural Institute) in New York city. Other acclaimed people included in Joe’s portfolio include Karen Saillant. Ms. Saillant is the Founder, and artistic director of the International Opera Theater based in Philadelphia and Italy.
Joe Morinelli and RVI have a measure of success with approx. five hundred episodes that are available for listening on the RVI website, no longer the need for a transistor radio. Joe has been a prominent radio broadcast figure across the larger Philadelphia area and plans to continue his work now and long into the near future. RVI events and broadcasts are found on the Joe Morinelli Facebook page.
