Paul Pravettoni, also known to rock lovers in The Bay as Billy Steel has passed away. He was a legendary Bay Area radio personality who went from being a House DJ to working at KSJO then arriving here at 107.7 The Bone.
He was the creator of 107.7 The Bone’s Metal Zone and a longtime supporter of the Bay Area Metal scene. The Bay Area radio family has lost a great personality in the great Billy Steel.
Billy was known for having an open-door policy and everyone was welcome to drop by the studio. Many musicians took him up on that offer. Billy wore many hats behind the scenes for the station as well, he was a pillar for The Bone and his hard work helped launched the station into success and popularity within the music community.
Even after Billy left the station in 2006 he stayed in touch with The Bone staff over the years, he helped inducted Steven Seaweed into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in 2012 and was present for when Lamont & Tonelli were inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in 2021.
Billy was truly one of the good people in the radio business, he also was a mentor for many of the young staff at The Bone and helped pay it forward for the radio industry. From everyone at 107.7 The Bone, our hearts and deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. R.I.P. Billy Steel, thank you for everything you did for San Francisco radio and the local music scene.
Check out his three part interview with Zetro’s Toxic Vault to learn more about him and his career:
Our condolences to his dear family and friends at this time.