Copyright 2022 RadioInsight / RadioBB Networks. It was a fun time. The list consists of 66 members. . Thank You. DAVID RUFFIN: A MOTOWN 45 RPM FLASHBACK, 1976, 92.3 FM! wxyz, cklw, and wknr. This website uses cookies. According to Lees book, entitled, Turn Your Radio On, during the battle for ratings in 1966, Alan stated, I have to say that in despite Chuck Fritzs and ABCs stubborn refusal to kill the old network programs, and let us be the pillar sound we needed to be, to get back on top boy, we gave it everything, everything we had. Gwen. Remember Nights with Alice Cooper? Instead of staying in the battle, Chuck Fritz and WXYZ were about to give up, were about to surrender. It was during this time WXYZ was then battling Storer-owned WJBK and RKO Generals CKLW for the Top 40 crown in the Motor City. I did the commercial logs and billing. Led by the legendary Mason and . Dunbar got his start in college at Michigan State, where he did play-by-play football for East Lansings WKAR. Martin and Howard was in, Joe Bacarella was the new program director and WXYZ was officially Sound Of The Good Life.. Drew and Mike are two of the most popular personalities in Detroit radio history. The Detroit native was a newspaper sportswriter and columnist for 36 years, including at the Detroit Free Press for six . and Friday, February 24 th. They are in front of a WXYZ mic. Worked with Lee Alan at WPON around 2004 to 2007 or so. He started out doing sports before he branched into talk radio. to Don Zee almost every night for awhile before going to bed.It has So Thank you for remembering ! I remain thrilled to be working with Roberta Jasina and such professional people at such a revered station., Tune in live for all the latest news on WWJ Newsradio 950. By 1958, there was a strict playlist with a more contemporary music format to follow. Remember when 89X switched to county? All of DJs were a pleasure to work with. Part of Audacy. A Mitch Albom Tom Athans B Doug Banks Frank Beckmann George Blaha Scott Boman Ralph J. Boyd Jerry Buckley (journalist) Don Bustany C Cara Carriveau Kim Carson Tom Clay Charles Coughlin D I remember a program called Squeaky & Jitters? Regards Lee Alan. (He WAS on Monday Night Football from 1970-1981 but he NOT HOWARD COSELL broke the news of John Lennons assassaination in 1980! He hardly ever went live on the air. Hi Henry, thank you for your WXYZ comments. This brings back good memories for this 80 year man. WWJ is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. All rights reserved. Paul W. Smith - 5:30 am - 9:00 am. Johnson will also continue serving as the station's midday show host, weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. By late-summer 1965, the veteran morning-broadcaster, WXYZ, under the direction of Chuck Fritz, the 37-year old general manager at the station since 1963, was by then re-structuring the stations appeal for a younger audience. In the late sixties did Radio Detroit have a disc jockey named Dave Dawson. My sister married one of the members from the group. Moving into the new year in 1966, more changes were in the wind for WXYZ. Marie and Ed. The 9.55 show is considered the longest-running American morning radio talk show that airs on weekdays. if it wouldnt have been for Dave Diles! Thank goodness I have most of those memorable shows on tape! My brother, Jim Heddle, who frequently went by Big Jim Edwards on air, worked at various radio stations in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Flint, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Tucson, Arizona, and quite possibly I have left some out since I did not have his photographic memory re: Oldies rock &roll among other topics. Joey, THANK-YOU for your service to the USA! Thanks for considering posting this overlooked top R&B DJ. He was in a trailer which had one end of it surrounded with glass, and that is where Mr. Wolf was sitting as he did his broadcast. The landscape for local talk radio, particularly programs focused on Detroit and African-American issues, has indeed morphed. Banks was on-air for 30 years for an urban radio format. But by the mid-50s WXYZ was in search of its own identity with ideas for newer audience appeal. Detroit radio was special, as were the personalities. DETROIT, MI - February 28, 2023 Cumulus Media . WXYZ was to become the first ABC-owned radio station to play Top 40 hits (or then labeled as Formula Radio) in the entire country. I was so proud and honored that Lee actually took the time to read the e-mail personally. That it should be dropped. According to the Detroit Historical Society, the on-air personality American Top 40 program was broadcasted on over 1,000 stations across the nation in the late 80s. Those days and memories will forever linger, never to be duplicated. Speaking of a very special friend, Mr. JOEY RYAN ( Joseph Pietruska ), interned at The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Cemetery . Spinning on the floor and flying around crazed! So, Watch How You Drive That Automobile Now..And Dont You Dare Turn It Into a Couple of Tons of Deadly Weapon. The same article mentions what it believed to be the salaries of select Detroit (then)-leading media personalities: Dick Purtan $5M, Drew & Mike $2M each, Chuck Gaidica, $1.2M, Carmen Harlan $1M+, John Mason $1M. I was a young teen when WXYZ was the top station. turkey club sandwich nutrition Uncovering hot babes since 1919.. detroit radio personalities. On top of being on air, he most recently was on the Netflix reality competition show, The Circle. DAHMER was the interim night jock on . Concerts Ari Lennox: Age/Sex/Location Tour 2023 Mar 16, 2023. By years end, WXYZ was now a slight 24 from the previous 22% they held in 1965. #4 of 38 on. Highly-identifiable air personalities. . The suggested appointment for PD was approved by the ABC brass-heads in New York. instrumental. Don Zee worked the graveyard shift from midnight until 6 am, and always signed on with Dracula (Bobby Pickett), Elvira, and Trantula by The Trantulas. More Robin Quivers. This site brought back many memories when DETROIT was a FABULOUS city. By early 1963, after coming on board the ABC-owned and operated station in February the previous year, Lee Alan, with the Lee Alan Show was by then pulling in a phenomenal 40 per cent share of the Detroit audience during the early evening and night time hours, according to a 1963 Hooper radio survey. Earlier on, these entertaining WXYZ radio programmings were heard on many stations through the Mutual group across the U. S. and Canada. ONE of radio's latest novelties is the daily program by The Detroit Times. When first starting out in Detroit, the personality hosted Jay Towers and the Morning Revolution for six years. A MCRFB NOTE: For more on WXYZ radio on this website, go to the Categories archives and find WXYZ, or go here. my album from Q93 and joined WRIF's D.R.E.A.D. And its black population was growing, too. Among the leading personalities to grace the airwaves there were Tom Shannon, Dave Shafer, Charlie Van Dyke, Frank Brodie, Terry Knight, Walt "Baby" Love, Bill Gable, Tom Rivers, Ted Richards, Scott Regen, Charlie O'Brien, Dick Purtan, Gary Burbank, Byron McGregor and Dick Smyth. Music format: Contemporary. Were beyond happy with our next adventure., Michelle McKormick, Co-Host, Michelle and Gregg With Travis, added: This idiot. Dick has been an award-winning newscaster, reporter, and news director at five stations. When they were at the station, being number one was no big deal. Lee Alan left momentarily, came back again, this time working in the WXYZ television studios. Thank you to all of the great Detroit listeners who support women in radio! While WWJ is one of many legacy radio stations in Detroit, lets take a look at radio personalities from the 20th and 21st centuries who have helped shape the radio community. Slagle initially came over to Detroit (WXYZ) from Cleveland in 1935. Cool to have Lee still knocking around. Lee Alan left momentarily, came back again, this time working in the WXYZ television studios. While the Detroit radio station was ABC parent-owned at the time, the button concept was dual inasmuch as a promo while pushing their new (at that time) ABC-TV series Batman both on WXYZ-AM radio and WXYZ-TV television here in Detroit. Now heading forward well into the early 1960s, the 1270 top 40 notables would comprise of great air names as Fred Wolf; Joel Sabastian; Paul Winter; Steve Lundy; Don Zee; Fred Weiss; Dave Prince and Lee Alan. Circa 1962-1963. (AP Photo/File). However if you grew up in the Detroit area in the 70's or 80's this is 30 seconds of more flashback. Jessica Byrd. Ad: In the Detroit area it's CKLW - 5,000 watts day and night - clear channel. Then For A Short TimeMorning ManTill The Drake Format Arrived. "Her career was her life, she just loved music," said her son Mir Loving.. According to CNN, Banks settled in the Windy City in the 80s. I revisit this site now and then and just want to thank all who have commented about those halcyon days and of course about my colleagues and me and the shows we all loved to hear. Porsha Monique interviewing the legendary Detroit radio personality, John Mason of the "Mason & Coco in the Morning" radio show (Photo Credit: Raquelle Harris for Steed Media) John Mason. Management, the entire radio staff and Lee Alan, now as program director were convinced the right formula was now in place moving forward for 1966. There are so many talented DJs who have made their mark in Detroit. It was an absolutely unforgettable era. News/Talk WJR-AM/Detroit has raised $1.8 million to help The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit combat hunger and . Meanwhile, during a short stay in Cleveland in early 1966, Lee Alan discovered the sound of Joey Reynolds at WIXY. According to the Billboard trade publication dated July 2, 1966, CKLW lost five percentage points from the year before. Add to your list of deceased Tom George of WJBK. Theme Song? Uncle Russ Gibb - WKNR, WWJ, WRBR and WKMH, Read more: Grande Ballroom in Detroit added to National Register of Historic Places. In the early and mid sixties WXYZ was absolutely my favorite station.Many a night i went to bed listening to Lee Alan who i still regard as 1 of the best DJs ever in Detroit. Plus 100,000 AM/FM radio stations featuring music, news, and local sports talk. According to the Billboard trade publication dated. Interesting to note that had we not hired Martin and Howard I never would have known Specs Howard. By Januarys end Lee Alan was gone. And WXYZ had the most popular disk jockey in all of Detroit during that time both radio and TV Ed McKenzie. He loved reminiscing about many of the people you have listed on this site. By late-summer 1965, the veteran morning-broadcaster Fred Wolf left WXYZ for retirement. Fred Wolf was doing a special broadcast on the following Saturday morning at a shopping center in Royal Oak, at the intersection of 13 Mile Road and Woodward Ave. According to his, An icon for Detroit rock radio, Calvert served the Motor City airwaves for over 40 years. On top of working at WJR and having his own talk show, The Frank Beckmann Show, Beckmann also was the announcer at the Big House for the University of Michigan and for the Detroit Tigers. My schoolmate and I often remember rushing home to his upstairs console radio to hear our favorite DJ. Lee Alan. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. By the Way, the original call letters before they were WXYZ, WGHP stood for George Harrison Phelps an advertising man who made his fortune working for the BBDO Agency on the Dodge account. They look like a country music group. Did it against WKNR just the way we could of. I think he knew those days were over and he had no desire to go back. The station was then sold in 1930 to the, In the 1930s and 40s, WXYZ created and brought Detroit and the country great radio programming such as, popularized nationally through Mutual affiliated stations after its premiere on WXYZ in 1933. In a group of items I won at an auction there was an unused round sticker for the WXYZ 1270 Batman Club. We attended Eastern High School (Mack & E. Grand Blvd.) Others remained. According to the, The creator of one of the longest classical programs in broadcast history, according to the, Starting his radio career in the Motor City in the early 60s, Perkins served in many positions at WGPR, an all-jazz radio station. Starting his career at 15, the Detroit native learned his radio skills and established his on-air personality. Everything Detroit. With more than 860 live broadcast stations in 153 markets across America, there's a local iHeartRadio station virtually everywhere. It is still available, here. Scott Shepard Host: OverEasy, Sunday Mornings 7am to 10am Email: Scott@wcsx.com Scott Shepard host of OverEasy Sunday Mornings 7am to 10am. I listened According to Key, Detroiters typically hear the matchups live on the radio before they are sent out for syndication in other markets. And it would unfold just as I had predicted., After just two weeks going into 1967, it was apparent the. These historic radio broadcasts were produced locally from the stations annex-studios, located at the former Mendelson building on East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. I am looking forward to co-anchoring with Jackie, who is just an amazing person to work with, Ortiz said. Tarantula by the Tarantulas ( instrumental ) He invented the phrase: DODGE DEPEND ON IT. No. He was also the voice of the University of Michigan hockey team briefly in the 1980s. I never missed he and Joel Sebastian hosting the Club 1270 TV dance show. WDET Staff - WDET 101.9 FM WDET Staff Meet the group of awesome people that keep your favorite radio station up and running. My compliments to Jim Feliciano and the MCRFB staff for this terrific site. Jerry Lubin, who was among the pioneering air personalities in the city's burgeoning FM radio scene during the late 60s and. My sister was also on the show as was the members of the Shades of Blue who had the record OH HOW HAPPY in 1966. So instead of dropping the outdated programming they added more. Times reporters broadcast their interviews with prominent persons from the day's news. News - Dick Haefner, News Director WJR News Director Dick Haefner is one of the most recognizable news voices in Detroit. Birthplace: Pikesville, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Martin and Howard were hired . It is absolutely true that Brother Joel Sebastian, Dave Prince, and I went to my late friend Chuck Fritz and literally begged him to champion the cause and petition the New York Brass (Hal Neal President ABC owned and Operated Stations) to drop the old, out dated network programming. I personally have been listening to Jamie. >>> LISTEN LIVE, Fractured G20 foreign ministers grapple with deepening rifts, Russian strike on Ukraine apartment block kills 3, injures 6, Extradited Indian charged with murder in Australian city, Global stocks lower after inflation fuels rate fears, British navy seizes Iran missiles, parts likely Yemen bound, SpaceX launches US, Russia, UAE astronauts to space station, War, anger cloud Ukrainian athletes' path to Paris Olympics, 20 injured by turbulence aboard Germany to Mauritius flight. AGAIN. Everything was so exciting as great personalities and music lit up the airwaves. UK is grappling with vegetable shortages. Lee Alan would always ask the regulars from the show to attend the dances at the Walled Lake Casino on Saturday nights where he was the DJ. Driving myself crazy!! By then WXYZ radio held down a huge Detroit audience over the competition for market share. Ah, those were the days my friendthanks for the memories Henry! (tailored after dog personality Rin-Tin-Tin). Station Events Join 97.9 WJLB at Astronomicon 6 Mar 03, 2023. I have that same picture and no clue who they are. He passed away in early 2018. It was a small station. BIRMINGHAM (CBS RADIO) - The mysterious personality behind the late-night 'Pillow Talk' radio music show has died. When I was in Junior High School, I went to a Friday night football game at Birmingham High School. Henson returns to Michigan from Richmond, VA, after a successful run at heritage News/Talk station, WRVA. From being an on-air broadcaster for both radio and television, best-selling author and journalist. and Martha Mary Barber McCarthy. In July 1967, Tom was stationed downtown with his Michigan Air National Guard unit. The end of an era. What about 105.1 Magic and 93.9 the River? during the battle for ratings in 1966, Alan stated. These historic radio broadcasts were produced locally from the stations annex-studios, located at the former Mendelson building on East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. His show was still on in Cleveland last I heard. Jason Scott, previously an afternoon anchor, has been promoted to morning drive and will co-anchor with Roberta Jasina from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays. Has been a morning radio show for 22 years. He has also hosted and programmed Sports 1130 WDFN and 1270 WXYT Detroit, 950 WPEN Philadelphia, 970 WBGG Pittsburgh 1300 KVET Austin and 105.3 KRLD-FM Dallas and News/Talk 1190 WOWO Fort Wayne during his career. What does the letter say? In 2010, Towers landed with WNIC and has been on air with the Jay Towers in the Morning show. He announced today on social media that he will return to his native Detroit to join 97.1 the Ticket as a new host on the powerful sports radio station. Larry Marquez Vote on the 'Top 7 @ 7' songs with Rob + Holly Weeknights at 7PM on your favorite Audacy Country station. After graduating from the University of Detroit, he began a successful radio career. The end of a Detroit broadcasting legend. My compliments to Jim Feliciano and the MCRFB staff for this terrific site. Lee Alan also had written, composed and produced the music for the new Personality-Plus jingles package (click highlighted reference for audio) for the stations new sound for 1966. I went to her house about 15 minutes before Joel said he would dedicate the song and we went for a ride in my car. I keep doing that every few minutes for at least an hour, but he kept ignoring me. Al Koski is in charge of 12-man news department, mobile units, Mini-Tapes.Morning Reports 6:55-7:05 a.m. M-F. Assignment The World, 1 and-a-half hours of news, sports, business, show world and special reports, 5:45-7:15 p.m. M-F. General manager Charles D. Fritz. From interviewing Bruno Mars to dressing up as a leprechaun at Rosie OGradys, having a morning show and was live on Saturday nights from Luna. Obviously I have heard Mr. Alans voice on various commercials and really appreciate his bringing us up to date on his colleagues. He was hired with the hopes in retaining the older Wolf audience, while at the same time appeal to a younger audience being drawn to the New Radio 13 popularity on the radio dial. Hopefully, we can keep this website going for many years, thanks to Mr. Alans kindness. Integrated Media Specialist. Its no surprise that there are many famous radio disc jockeys who came from Detroit. Went with Mel to the Motown Review. 25 Feb/23. WXYZ was in fact the legend of which you speak. While he did not start his career in Detroit, Kasem learned his chops on the west coast in the 60s. Kasem passed away in 2014. Management, the entire radio staff and Lee Alan, now as program director were convinced the right formula was now in place moving forward for 1966. Dont know whether to brain you or thank you==but 40 years later, here I still am, morning drive news at an NPR station in Grand Rapids for 25 of those 40.\. The new Keener Sound was by then fast retaining the largest rise in total market share in Detroit radio history. Amazing! But certainly not for any lack in trying. I remember hearing him bring evening news into our home in Plymouth. A Detroit household name. The stations playlist now comprised mostly the nations most popular records from the Billboard charts, and by 1962 WXYZ was center stage of what was happening in and around town. Send 4 copies of 45s and 2 copies of LPs to program director Bruce Still, 20777 W. Ten Mile Rd., Detroit, Michigan 48219. Jim Costa is headed home. I too remember the days when Mr. Alan and his crew were doing wonders at WXYZ radio in the early 1960s. Within the past hour, the heartbreaking news broke that Jamie Samuelsen of 97.1 The Ticket had died at the age of 48 after a battle with colon cancer. WMXD BACK ON THE RADIO: GERALD McBRIDE, JANUARY 1996. Tell me some of your favorite on-air personalities and email me your favorite radio moments at ewashington@wdiv.com. Now holding a 29% share, a year earlier they held a higher 34% in 1965. Eighty seven-years ago, according to, the station spawn birth in the Detroit area under the calls, WGHP was once a charter member (of 16 stations) that aired the first, program in 1927. Hailing from Troy, MI, Henson started his career at Classic Rock WCSX-FM in Detroit, and six years later, he headed to Detroits Sports Talk WDFN-AM as Director of Programming and Morning Show Host. Our drummer would call Joel Sabastian etc. Tom hosted various shifts at the station with his last being mornings at the station, leaving in late 1960 or early 61. Absolutely loved Lees personality, voice and humor in the early 60s. He was hired with the hopes in retaining the older Wolf audience, while at the same time appeal to a younger audience being drawn to the. According to the Detroit Historical Society, the on-air personality American Top 40 program was broadcasted on over 1,000 stations across the nation in the late 80s. Which Jack McCarthy? Jason Scott and Roberta Jasina (5am -10am) Brooke Allen (10am - 2 pm) Tony Ortiz and Jackie Paige (2pm - 7pm) Radio personality Josh 'Bru' Brubaker in iconic Fisher Building. I remember when Lee had his horrible car accident. According to his. No longer were the deejays allowed to play whatever, The top 40 formula at WXYZ was now growing in popularity on the Detroit radio dial. ;) Detroit had the best radio stations in any market at the time, believe I have traveled far and wide. Photographs by Beth Hoxie By Hour Detroit - September 27, 2010 Previous article Next article By then Steve Lundy headed out west to another ABC-owned station, in San Francisco. Her name is Donna and she is a very wonderful lady," wrote the Detroit radio legend, who is known as the city's funny, unflappable voice for 45 years. Similar memories long before we went to Specs-8 transistor radio Zenith under the pillow from 10-12, Lees opening theme was Plink went the strings of my heart (At least thats my memory) And yes, Sinatras Cant get started to close and into Don Zee. Still at second overall in 1966, 3 of the CKLW share percentage points went to WKNR, who gained at 47 from a 44 previous. I read your posting and was moved by your remembrances of Club 1270 and the Casino. THE DETROIT SOUND SURVEY: OCTOBER 10, 1966, Your email address will not be published. Detroit radio personality and author Steve Black is celebrating his 1,000th episode of his syndicated "The Chop Shop Guitar Show." (Photo by Scott Legato) When Steve Black began his syndicated . Now heading forward well into the early 1960s, the 1270 top 40 notables would comprise of great air names as, Storer-owned WJBK and RKO Generals CKLW for the Top 40 crown in the Motor City. . Lee Alan stands out among the most revered. The show broadcasts live on Saturdays from 2p-4p EST on AM 1200 WCHB and 99.9 FM Detroit. . By April, after talking to Fritz that he should hire him immediately, Alan had Joey Reynolds making the move over to the Motor City. Joseph Priestley "J.P." McCarthy II (March 22, 1933 - August 16, 1995) was a radio personality best known for his over 30 years of work as the morning man and interviewer on station WJR in Detroit, Michigan .