DEERNEST@UMICH.EDU. I lived in Birmingham at the time. (DJs who made their name before becoming radio personalities have been excluded, but honorable mentions must go to folks like Steve Harvey, Rickey Smiley and Yolanda Adams.) Get our top picks for the best events in Detroit every Thursday morning. I believe the first televised performance of My Girl by The Temptations was done on our show. He passed away long before I was born but has always lived as a legend in my mind and heart. He Was Also An Overnight DJ For WXYZ, Prior To the CKLW Stint looking for the signoff song at 12am by sinatra. He invented the phrase: DODGE DEPEND ON IT. The station was then sold in 1930 to the Kunsky-Trendle Broadcasting Company who changed the calls to WXYZ. WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL MEMORIES. Soon to be 80 and very young at heart. The event honored Sonny Eliot, the late Ernie Harwell, Specs Howard, Dick Purtan, and Robin Seymour. Rich in history as one of the most storied and oldest broadcasting institution in Detroit or for that matter, the entire country. . Did it against WKNR just the way we could of. THE LATEST FROM MARIE OSBORNE BACK TO HOSTS PAGE >>>, WJR News Director Dick Haefneris one of the most recognizable news voices in Detroit. 5 Number 3 - Radio DJo Henderson. Lepidi made her way up the Detroit Top 40 radio ladder after her full time start at 98.7 Amp radio in 2015. During the, some of the old radio names would leave WXYZ. Even ex-Detroit Tiger Denny McLain, whom you may recall once hosted a successful morning-drive talk show on WXYT-AM, has RSVPd. "Jim Johnson is one of the most well-known radio personalities in Detroit, with . and turned CKLW into the BIG 8. (This WXYZ feature was updated November 28, 2016). The following week I listened to him until I ran out of signal just this side of Des Moines, Iowa. You may recall. 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 . for a greater market share they once dominated in recent years. I keep doing that every few minutes for at least an hour, but he kept ignoring me. 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. Blakes Orchard and Cider Mill hosts new event with tropical drinks, ice sculptures, and barbecue, Limp Bizkits Wes Borland sues ex-wife for saying he kicked her out of Detroit home. Hes most known for his on the street reports not to mention his tweets at #KRonJR Ken Rogulski is a news anchor and reporter for WJR. 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 called him from mid Pennsylvania, (company card of course, ) to comment on an upcoming football game, listened to CK the Big 8, sitting in front of Independence Hall! A true lover of the oldies, BOTH of these guys will be remembered and MISSED! I never missed he and Joel Sebastian hosting the Club 1270 TV dance show. It has all those voices in it for all to hear again. Jason Scott and Roberta Jasina (5am -10am) Brooke Allen (10am - 2 pm) Tony Ortiz and Jackie Paige (2pm - 7pm) Audacy announced the lineup changes Effective immediately, WWJ Newsradio 950 in Detroit has a new daily lineup. Entertainment News Jeremy Renner Shares Another Encouraging Update After Snowplow Accident Jan 14, 2023. I believe he was a newscaster on one of the Detroit radio stations in the 1940s and 1950s, maybe even into the 1960s. . . Van Douglas was Detroit's first black radio star. I only recently ran across this article. Slagle initially came over to Detroit (WXYZ) from Cleveland in 1935. One last thing. By years end, WXYZ was now a slight 24 from the previous 22% they held in 1965. DAVID PRINGLE? Theme Song? While he did not start his career in Detroit, Kasem learned his chops on the west coast in the 60s. Purtan, 83, retired a decade ago from his final job in radio at WOMC-FM (104.3). for the Windy City that year. By Januarys end Lee Alan was gone. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door. What about 105.1 Magic and 93.9 the River? But certainly not for any lack in trying. He was also the voice of the University of Michigan hockey team briefly in the 1980s. And two years later I could not have sold The Lee Alan School of Broadcast Arts to him, and 10s of thousands of people may never have experienced the excellent school it has become under his direction at The SPECS HOWARD SCHOOL. His tenure is, Gene Fogel s illustrious career at WJR began in 1971. She is a native Detroiter who grew up listening to news and music programming on Detroit Public Radio. iHeartMedia Detroit's - Doers In The D. Latest Stories. As a teen, to me, you and the horn were as close to teen heaven as it got.. 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. Remember when 89X switched to county? Having gained ground, WXYZ and WJBK at times found themselves into a virtual ratings tie vying for the top 40 title on the dial, seemingly, with no end in sight. For many at the station it only served as reminder who it was who still owned the station. John Mason energizes the morning drive in Detroit every weekday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.. His morning radio show, "Mason & Coco in the Morning," is a hometown favorite and has a large and. Respectfully, David Olsen. Bill Drake made the BIG 8 happen. 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. Detroit Radio Personalities, Past and Present On Sept. 25, Detroit Radio Personalities, Past and Present, was held at the Crowne Plaze Hotel in Novi. Kasem, the smooth-voiced radio broadcaster who became the king of the top 40 countdown, died Sunday, June 15, 2014, according to Danny Deraney, publicist for Kasem's daughter, Kerri. "I think the added element of the fans will be very interesting," says Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor, famed as the first female helicopter traffic reporter in North America on Windsor's CKLW-AM and widow of the station's legendary "20-20 News" anchor, Byron MacGregor. Amazing! He also seemed to stay away from the oldies from his era. 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. Wed pack up and go. January 18, 2023 ~ Honigman Law Leader of Investigations and White Collar Defense Practice Matthew Schneider, talks with Guy Gordon about the latest of the classified documents that were found in President Bidens garage. WGHP was once a charter member (of 16 stations) that aired the first CBS Radio Network program in 1927. I cant recall the DJs name, but every night at either 11:00pm or midnight [Im not sure of the time see what happens when you get old :-)] he would end his show by playing the song You Belong to Me and give a few words of wisdom as the song played. But pleas towards Fritz to persuade ABC in New York to drop network programming fell on deaf ears. . Tom hosted various shifts at the station with his last being mornings at the station, leaving in late 1960 or early 61. National News Former 'American Idol' Contestant C.J. Lee Alan left momentarily, came back again, this time working in the WXYZ television studios. With Wolfs exit, it was out with the older traditions the station seemed to have embodied throughout the many years previous. . DETROIT, November 28 WXYZ radio. Fact is that changing the format was the specific move that insured the failure of Martin and Howard. Although I never met him, I listened to his__ Saturday Night Oldies Party__ every week-end on Magic 95 WMJC-FM from 1982 until 1987. But by the mid-50s WXYZ was in search of its own identity with ideas for newer audience appeal. Channel 955 is the #1 Top 40 radio station in Detroit, MI, serving all of Southeast Michigan. Its no surprise that there are many famous radio disc jockeys who came from Detroit. Catch them every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon on 760 WJR. Hi Henry, thank you for your WXYZ comments. And it would unfold just as I had predicted., After just two weeks going into 1967, it was apparent the top 40 run at WXYZ was finished, over and was done. in our Aircheck Library, here. But by mid-1966, not much had changed for WXYZ during their battle for higher ratings in Detroit. Totally unbeknownst to us here, I am without words. "There are so many people I wish . 11-2; Dave Prince, 2-6; Lee Alan, 7:15-10; Here listed below is the ABC network programming line-up on WXYZ for a typical broadcast day, according to, By then Steve Lundy headed out west to another ABC-owned station, in San Francisco. Wagner, whose vast music knowledge and wry sense of humor are familiar to classical music fans from his 17 years at WQRS-FM in Detroit, is program director and music host for 90.9 FM. BIRMINGHAM (CBS RADIO) - The mysterious personality behind the late-night 'Pillow Talk' radio music show has died. Mike Stone (radio personality) Michael Stone (born December 29, 1958) is an on-air host for 97.1 The Ticket WXYT-FM. The Last Great Detroit Radio Reunion takes place from 1-6 p.m. Saturday at the Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Avenue, Novi; 248-348-5600; suburbancollectionshowplace.com. Add to your list of deceased Tom George of WJBK. He's been an avid listener of WDET since he moved to Metro Detroit in 2002. 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. No longer were the deejays allowed to play whatever they wanted to play. We told Chuck what was going to happen, but he and many others were convinced that nothing could ever topple the historic WXYZ. from a 44 previous. Passions include Cars & Bars, Music & Sports. Worked at the Rouge complex and was found by Tom Margellar who critiqued my released 45 which resulted in a very short and wonderful relationship about record collectiong and music in general. And of course, Lee Alan was on as well during that timeline as well. The early 40s were magic. Where can I buy Lee Alans book, Turn Your Radio On!? The Detroit Radio History Committee is a project of the Detroit Sound Conservancy. "We grew up here in Detroit and we can truly speak to our audience from the experience of listening because Detroit is a music town," Hill told me. There will be so many positive vibes coming in, I think that's the main thing. iHeart and Radio One have used a national blueprint that shifts more toward syndicated programs and less toward local, for example. Longtime metro Detroit radio personality and pioneering rock jockey John O'Leary was found dead at his Highland Park home, according to local media reports. Birmingham won the game. The new jingles custom were produced in Chicago byDick Marx Productions for Lee Alan and were beautifully sung for WXYZ by the famous Anita Kerr Singers. on The above featured Detroit radio guide was clipped, saved, and digitally re-imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.. A MCRFB Note: Glancing over the above Detroit radio guide, it bears noting CKLW had Dusty Rhodes competing for the morning drive going against WKNR's own Dick Purtan.Both Rhodes and Purtan were Cincinnati's WSAI-AM radio personalities during a time in . The Chicago staple and former Southfield resident passed away in 2016. Owned and operated by Entercom, WWJ is Detroit's only 24-hour all-news radio station, and is the oldest radio station in Michigan. Ah, those were the days my friendthanks for the memories Henry! Besides doing on-air work, Calvert also worked for Sony Music Corporation as a local and regional promotion and marketing manager. He died in a traffic accident on his way to work in 88. Chuck, Johnny Williams is alive and doing well. What does the letter say? I still hope the despicable members of that family responsible are still Incarcerated. Spinning on the floor and flying around crazed! I loved all the comments about the early 60s WXYZs radio. Our drummer would call Joel Sabastian etc. Gwen. History Radio Personalities Active or From Detroit And we had a terrific time doing it.. . ONE of radio's latest novelties is the daily program by The Detroit Times. Douglas, born Howard Douglas Morrison on May 6, 1915, worked as an announcer on WMBC-AM 1400 beginning in 1937 on the "Flying Cloud Quintet" broadcast. But the problem about network programming was still there. Music News Kevin Gates Details X-Rated Kink: 'That's Beautiful' Jan 14, 2023 Music News 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. So Thank you for remembering ! Beckmann spent 48 years behind the microphone as the constant voice from the golden tower of the Fisher Building. holy smoke! Hes most known for his on the street reports not to mention his tweets at #KRonJR #kronjr, WJR News Reporter Dayna Clark is delighted to be back home on the Great Voice of the Great Lakes every weekday morning as part the of thePaul W. Smith Showteam. I'm proud of my past. So instead of dropping the outdated programming they added more. Gentlemen: Those of us who were teenagers in early 1950S will remember Leroy G. White from WJLB Detroits Home Station (AM 1400) Name of his show Rockin With Leroy. He played latest R&B music and rocked the town. As part of Seymour's first trip to Detroit in more than a decade, he is scheduled to appear from 3-5 p.m. Thursday in Studio A at the Motown Museum, 2648 West Grand Boulevard, to greet tour visitors and answer questions. "His. When I was in High School I remember going to see and talk with Joel Sabastain during one of his remote broadcasts. 1 pick for the mid-morning time-slot over Robin Seymour at WKNR, according to Billboards Radio Response Ratings in the same July 17, 1965 issue. The new Keener Sound was by then fast retaining the largest rise in total market share in Detroit radio history. . Replacing Bruce Still, Lee moved into his new position in March of that year. A least two of us had been approached by WKNR to leave WXYZ and join them with their plans which they outlined to us in detail. Driving myself crazy!! These historic radio broadcasts were produced locally from the stations annex-studios, located at the former Mendelson building on East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit. We're Looking For the Hottest Unsigned Artist! The ABC-owned station now found itself heavily competing against. 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. Over on the radio dial, interspersed between network news and commentaries, music shows and local programming, WXYZ brought Detroiters Ozzie and Harriet, Corliss Archer and Big Time Boxing on Friday nights. 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 80s, The Electrifying Mojo who was considered the most mysterious DJ, played. Died: June 15, 2014 . A couple of nites after Lee initial broadcast on WOMC, I wrote a letter titled Fire Breathing Machines, Lee actually read it on-air. By this time WXYZ radio had begun its fierce battle going full force head-to-head for top ratings going against Detroits top-rated WJBK 1500. When they were at the station, being number one was no big deal. 21+. and on the television side Club 1270 was gaining Detroit audience popularity asJoel SabastianandLee Alanintroduced the hottest WIXIE hits on WXYZ-TV. 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. Speaking of a very special friend, Mr. JOEY RYAN ( Joseph Pietruska ), interned at The Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Cemetery . WWJ-AM (WWJ Newsradio 950)/Detroit is announcing a new anchor lineup, effective immediately. 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