. UK is grappling with vegetable shortages. 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. Following Towers hosted a show at WXYT with Bill McAllister. I had to go to bed at ten, in those days, but I had a transistor radio under my pillow and would never go to sleep until I had listened to the last two hours of Lee Alan and his closing theme I Cant Get Started by Frank Sinatra. The station management impressed the ABC brass in New York to drop many of the local shows and transcend to a more modern sound. Plus 100,000 AM/FM radio stations featuring music, news, and local sports talk. How did it happen? They spent 22 years on the radio at WRIF and . Real NameDon Zemenski, My husband remembers a disc jockey named Bob Beasley during the late 60s Or early 70s on WWJ when it was music. Now with new alternative moves towards capturing better ratings in the market, much of the old ABC network programming was being replaced while diverting some attention to the music of the times. I read your posting and was moved by your remembrances of Club 1270 and the Casino. What ever happened to Dale Conquest I would like to send him an e-mail. Kasem passed away in 2014. Highly-identifiable air personalities. The early 40s were magic. They look like a country music group. Did it against WKNR just the way we could of. Henson fills the opening created by Tony Gates exit in April. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. THANK YOU Lee for putting the rumors to bed. Both know the Detroit area well and that will allow them to bring our listeners valuable insight into the stories we cover each day.. "Jim Johnson is one of the most well-known radio personalities in Detroit, with over 40 years of experience exclusively in the market," said Debbie Kenyon, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Detroit. Now with WRIF, the morning show can be heard on 70 radio stations across North America. What's driving the players behind Israel's legal overhaul? . and turned CKLW into the BIG 8. In the 1930s and 40s, WXYZ created and brought Detroit and the country great radio programming such as Eddie Chases popular Make Believe Ballroom and as well, serials such as the legendary The Lone Ranger, popularized nationally through Mutual affiliated stations after its premiere on WXYZ in 1933. Joel Sabastian left WXYZ for the Windy City that year. With the Fred Wolf era gone and out of the picture, Fritz extended his sights in search for a younger (but calmer, more contemporary) voice in filling the morning void. Always live on the free Audacy app. By the mid-1930s, while still a standing member, WXYZ dropped out of the Mutual Broadcasting System and became a new affiliate for the NBC Blue Network radio group. DETROIT, November 28 WXYZ radio. Special programming: Don McNeill Breakfast Club 10-10:55 a.m. M-F. Lou Gordon Comments, 2-minute commentary, 6:25, 9:25 a.m., 12:05 p.m. M-W-F. Call Board-Dick Osgood, drama-critic with interviews, 9:30-10 a.m. Sun. The station was then sold in 1930 to the Kunsky-Trendle Broadcasting Company who changed the calls to WXYZ. Henson returns to Michigan from Richmond, VA, after a successful run at heritage News/Talk station, WRVA. Lee Alan left momentarily, came back again, this time working in the WXYZ television studios. 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. Dr Darrius Beyonce is Coming To Detroit Summer 2023 Feb 01, 2023. He came from WCAR the low rated good music station and was able to convince ABC to concede. Living near Traverse City, Michigan. Now Fred Wolf, Paul Winter, Marc Avery, Steve Lundy, Pat Murphy, Barney Stutesman (Traffic Copter) and Don Zee are all in Heaven. Oh===thanks for the horn and its fine tone. The move reunites Henson and McCormick, who previously co-hosted together at 97.1 FM Talk WKRK Detroit from 2002 to 2006. Marie and Ed. The WIXIE drive was gearing forward with their biggest run against the competition in the Detroit top 40 market. Mix 92.3. For the latest on Lee Alan today, go to his website blogroll and click on Lee Alans blog. The new Keener Sound was by then fast retaining the largest rise in total market share in Detroit radio history. . Thank You. During the, some of the old radio names would leave WXYZ. Thank You. 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. Tom hosted various shifts at the station with his last being mornings at the station, leaving in late 1960 or early 61. A Detroit classic. Foster retired in April 2017, eight months after a mild stroke at age 57. 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. Thank you, at WXYZ was finished, over and was done. Was he released after the sexual harassment accusation? He hardly ever went live on the air. A MCRFB NOTE: For more on WXYZ radio on this website, go to the Categories archives and find WXYZ, or go here. Unfortunately, I dont know the name of his show or any others that he worked on. Henson joins WLAV from Richmond VA where he was serving as Program Director for Audacy News/Talk 1140/96.1 WRVA and Sports 910/105.1 The Fan WRNL. Age: 70. WGHP was once a charter member (of 16 stations) that aired the first CBS Radio Network program in 1927. Such latter-day legends as Jim "J.J." Johnson, Doug Podell, Allan Wilson, and Frank Beckmann are expected to make an appearance as well. Under the Havana Treaty, CKLW would move from 1030 to 800 kHz and continue to have a power of 5,000 watts. 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. Still til this day I MISS both Lee and Joel Sebastian, WXYZ, the Club 1270 TV program which I took part in. 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. I keep doing that every few minutes for at least an hour, but he kept ignoring me. Some had advocated openly to the station manager, Lee Alan among them, that network programming out of New York was killing the station. The name itself would come to be one of the most popular and recognized names ever in 60s Detroit radio history. there was a strict playlist with a more contemporary music format to follow. By years end, WXYZ was now a slight 24 from the previous 22% they held in 1965. About this same time, Jimmy Hampton was hired as the new over-night personality on 1270. The format was changed. Jim Harper, who has been heard on Michigan airwaves intermittently for more than 40 years, announced his retirement today from his current post at WMGC (105.1-FM). I wouldnt have become a Detroit Tigers fan (since 1966!) By then WXYZ radio held down a huge Detroit audience over the competition for market share. The landscape for local talk radio, particularly programs focused on Detroit and African-American issues, has indeed morphed. Fans of Detroit radio can celebrate the life and extraordinary career of Dick Purtan in a televised remembrance of his legendary journey as a radio personality and community philanthropist, to premiere on DPTV Sept. 15 at 9 p.m. as part of a "Detroit Remember When" segment. The top 40 formula at WXYZ was now growing in popularity on the Detroit radio dial. 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. In a comparatively short space you have captured a great deal of the essence of the battle for ratings that took place in the 60s. We knew when the dance was over when Lee played Since I Fell For You by Lenny Welch. WJR, known as "News Talk 760," is a Detroit-based AM radio station broadcasting throughout Detroit, southeast Michigan, and parts of northern Ohio. Rogers spent three decades in radio, mostly in the Detroit market, but also with stops in Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. 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. WWJ-AM (WWJ Newsradio 950)/Detroit is announcing a new anchor lineup, effective immediately. And WXYZ had the most popular disk jockey in all of Detroit during that time both radio and TV Ed McKenzie. . Radio personality Josh 'Bru' Brubaker in iconic Fisher Building. Meanwhile, during a short stay in Cleveland in early 1966, Lee Alan discovered the sound of Joey Reynolds at WIXY. My wife passed away in 2001 but I still remember her fondly when I think about Club 1270 and the Walled Lake Casino. 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. rjw, Please send any info you have regarding Joe k. Bacarella and any lawsuits in which he was a participant. 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 . Honored by the PBA NBA and NFL Hall Of Fame he deserves to be an immortal sportscaster! No. Ad: In the Detroit area it's CKLW - 5,000 watts day and night - clear channel. 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. 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. ;) Detroit had the best radio stations in any market at the time, believe I have traveled far and wide. But by mid-1966, not much had changed for WXYZ during their battle for higher ratings in Detroit. and throw in the towel. By 1958, there was a strict playlist with a more contemporary music format to follow. Paul Winter was one other big name on WXYZ, I believe he followed Fred Wolf. The event honored Sonny Eliot, the late Ernie Harwell, Specs Howard, Dick Purtan, and Robin Seymour. WXYZ-FM: ERP 27,000 watts. 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. In concluding, Alan elaborated further,I still had hopes that ABC would kill the breakfast club and that listener-chasing hour and 20 minutes of news, 6 Oclock 5:55 when all of a sudden Bill Drake came into town and did exactlywhat Joel Sabastian, Dave Prince and I, had pleaded with Chuck Fritz to do back in 1963. Anne is an on-air personality o n our newest station called Alt 106.7 (Detroit's New Alternative Station) She is a graduate of Michigan State University and loves music. My schoolmate and I often remember rushing home to his upstairs console radio to hear our favorite DJ. This site brought back many memories when DETROIT was a FABULOUS city. ONE of radio's latest novelties is the daily program by The Detroit Times. It was an absolutely unforgettable era. After working in the biz for 58 years, reports show that Perkins retired from radio this year. 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. As a member of the Knights of Columbus he helps many charities. Hello I only recently ran across this article. Happy to say, as of today, Sunday, September 15, 2019 I (and as moderator/administrator for the site) I viewed today the site stats in the dashboard panel for this WXYZ thread and WordPress Jetpack showed this article has had 6,019 hits since tabulating this post beginning in 2016. Send 4 copies of 45s and 2 copies of LPs to program director Bruce Still, 20777 W. Ten Mile Rd., Detroit, Michigan 48219. 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. He also seemed to stay away from the oldies from his era. That in 1966 the listeners instead wanted more of the music. And its black population was growing, too. 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