Bill Drake made the BIG 8 happen. For the latest on Lee Alan today, go to his website blogroll and click on Lee Alans blog. Finally, he reported the score, and I wrote Thank You on the paper, got on my bike and rode home. In 2010, Towers landed with WNIC and has been on air with the Jay Towers in the Morning show. The added new voices on 1270 became the newest household names. Was he released after the sexual harassment accusation? 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. When I was in Junior High School, I went to a Friday night football game at Birmingham High School. Some had advocated openly to the station manager, Lee Alan among them, that network programming out of New York was killing the station. He died in a traffic accident on his way to work in 88. He worked in markets across the nation such as WQMG at Greensboro N.C., Tampa Florida at 95.7 The Beat/iHeartMedia and afternoon drive at . Ed from WAYNE Nov. 17, 2017 __ WHO STOLE THE KIESKA???___. By then Steve Lundy headed out west to another ABC-owned station, in San Francisco. So Thank you for remembering ! (Detroit Rockers Engaged in the Abolishment of Disco). A bit later he moved over to WOMC. . By April, after talking to Fritz that he should hire him immediately, Alan had Joey Reynolds making the move over to the Motor City. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. In 1964 and 1965 my future wife and I were both dancers on Club 1270. WWJ recently celebrated 100 years of being a radio station. Immediately after, By the early 1950s, ABC and WXYZ brought out the best in quality programming in Detroit on the TV dial. Hi Dave, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful WXYZ 1270 radio memories! instrumental. There was the legendary broadcasts from the Walled Lake Casino, Club 182 and more . Following Towers hosted a show at WXYT with Bill McAllister. . Part of Audacy. They are in front of a WXYZ mic. There are so many talented DJs who have made their mark in Detroit. Ill never forget new DJ Weird Beard coming on the dance show for the first time and being out of control wild. He was also the voice of the University of Michigan hockey team briefly in the 1980s. What's driving the players behind Israel's legal overhaul? Hopefully, we can keep this website going for many years, thanks to Mr. Alans kindness. Loves the Lions and all things Detroit too. Dunbar got his start in college at Michigan State, where he did play-by-play football for East Lansings WKAR. Especially touched by your mention of your wifeand her passing. . If you call 1-866- SOUL-JAM, you can cast your vote to McBride directly. Hello 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. But ABC kept it there because they had national sponsors that bought in and were promised all the top 10 markets. The show broadcasts live on Saturdays from 2p-4p EST on AM 1200 WCHB and 99.9 FM Detroit. Slagle initially came over to Detroit (WXYZ) from Cleveland in 1935. What ever happened to Dale Conquest I would like to send him an e-mail. Learn How To Advertise On Detroit Radio . WJR, known as "News Talk 760," is a Detroit-based AM radio station broadcasting throughout Detroit, southeast Michigan, and parts of northern Ohio. After graduating from the University of Detroit, he began a successful radio career. He was a big fan of Detroit radio and of this site as well, and he contributed much here and I often wondered, from time to time, why we have not heard from Jim for quite some time now. Still prime on WXYZ radio since coming back to Detroit from New York in 1947 was Johnny Slagle. Those days and memories will forever linger, never to be duplicated. Jim 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. ABC affiliate. Lori Bennett, Operations Manager, Cumulus West Michigan, said: With the 50th anniversary of WLAV next year, its thrilling to have an innovator like Gregg join us in bringing the station to the next generation of Classic Rock fans. NO. Hi Donna, I am so sadden to learn, today after reading your comments here, in 2022, that Jim Heddle had passed away in 2018! But pleas towards Fritz to persuade ABC in New York to drop network programming fell on deaf ears. Lee Alan left momentarily, came back again, this time working in the WXYZ television studios. You can find him on Facebook today. Hi Henry, thank you for your WXYZ comments. M o r e T o p 4 0 Y e a r s T h e 6 0 s. But by late-summer of 1964, WJBK was out of the Top 40 business. 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). Gwen. Copyright 2022 RadioInsight / RadioBB Networks. Under Alans tenure as new station PD, Pat Murphy would move up in the afternoon time-slot on WIXIE, from the all-night hours. WRIF-FM IS BACK ON THE RADIO, JAM PRODUCTION SERIES: TALK-TO-ME, WXYZ RADIO, WJR [Detroit Free Press] RADIO PRESS PHOTO: MARC AVERY, WXYZ RADIO 1270: A 1957 [Detroit Free Press] DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE AD, BILLBOARD HOT SOUL SINGLES: WEEK ENDING, MARCH 6, 1976, HIS TIME-OUT ENDS; [DAVID] RUFFIN SOLOS AGAIN . Marie and Ed. From disc jockey to owner of the Grande Ballroom, Gibb had a strong influence on what music was performed in Detroit. Celebrate the life of a Detroit Radio Legend Dick Purtan. The move reunites Henson and McCormick, who previously co-hosted together at 97.1 FM Talk WKRK Detroit from 2002 to 2006. 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. By 1958, there was a strict playlist with a more contemporary music format to follow. Integrated Media Specialist. I am beyond excited to begin another epic chapter with Gregg at WLAV along with the best team in the business.. RADIO ONLINE offers the latest radio industry news, radio show prep, radio promotions, radio station data and more. They spent 22 years on the radio at WRIF and . More Robin Quivers. Went with Mel to the Motown Review. 3113 Archer Ave News Talk WJR 760 AM - Detroit, MI - Listen to free internet radio, news, sports, music, and podcasts. A diehard Spartan, Valenti has been a radio commentator in Detroit since the early 2000s. Lee if you read this=you and Purtan were two of the reasons I got into this crazy business back in 1974ouch that was a long time ago. By late-summer 1965, the veteran morning-broadcaster Fred Wolf left WXYZ for retirement. Lee Alan. 1 in the ratings, they became a heavy influence for record sales in Detroit. The Detroit Free Press reports. at WXYZ was finished, over and was done. Despite the lowest ratings of the top 3, WXYZs The Marc Avery Show held the No. 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. I'm also very grateful that someone wrote a beautiful article about them, as well as a Detroit radio personality I'm too young to remember: Ernie Durham.-----Three Legends of Detroit Black Radio January 28, 2008 by Tom Sanders Flint, Michigan wasn't a pretty place. Its no surprise that there are many famous radio disc jockeys who came from Detroit. By then WXYZ radio held down a huge Detroit audience over the competition for market share. Concerts Monster Jam 2023 Mar 11, 2023. 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. Birmingham won the game. Immediately after the war years, in 1946, the station was sold and was purchased by the American Broadcasting Network in New York. I wouldnt have become a Detroit Tigers fan (since 1966!) I only recently ran across this article. 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. During his career, Calvert was the public address announcer for the Detroit Pistons during the Bad Boys era. By years end, WXYZ was now a slight 24 from the previous 22% they held in 1965. The radio personality moved out to LA in 2021 and has recently became syndicated. Pages in category "Radio personalities from Detroit" The following 65 pages are in this category, out of 65 total. DAHMER was the interim night jock on . His radio career then took him to stations in Austin, TX, Philadelphia, PA, Dallas, TX, and Pittsburgh, PA, in roles including On-Air Personality, Operations Manager, and Program Director. 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 . Simulcast with WXYZ-AM. Thank you, Chuck. Honored by the PBA NBA and NFL Hall Of Fame he deserves to be an immortal sportscaster! 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. With more than 860 live broadcast stations in 153 markets across America, there's a local iHeartRadio station virtually everywhere. I was looking for it on line but no such luck. 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. my album from Q93 and joined WRIF's D.R.E.A.D. My wife passed away in 2001 but I still remember her fondly when I think about Club 1270 and the Walled Lake Casino. It can even be heard throughout most of the eastern United States, and eastern Canada at night, making it one of the most powerful radio stations in the United States, at 50,000 watts. Remember when 89X switched to county? His show was still on in Cleveland last I heard. . The estimated total pay for a Radio Personality is $49,332 per year in the Detroit, MI area, with an average salary of $46,037 per year. Amazing! As a member of the Knights of Columbus he helps many charities. This clip will have a very limited appeal to most people. DETROIT, November 28 WXYZ radio. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Read more: Casey Kasems daughter pushes Michigan lawmakers to pass elder abuse bills, Ken The Casual One Calvert - WWWW, WABX, WRIF, WLLZ, WJR and WCSX, Related: A look inside Detroits historic Black-owned radio station. Art Regner. Anyways, it has been great going down memory lane. Vote on the 'Top 7 @ 7' songs with Rob + Holly Weeknights at 7PM on your favorite Audacy Country station. According to Key, Detroiters typically hear the matchups live on the radio before they are sent out for syndication in other markets. On Sept. 25, Detroit Radio Personalities, Past and Present, was held at the Crowne Plaze Hotel in Novi. Instead of staying in the battle, Chuck Fritz and WXYZ were about to give up, were about to surrender. I believe he was a newscaster on one of the Detroit radio stations in the 1940s and 1950s, maybe even into the 1960s. According to the Associated Press, Banks was given a late-night weekend show at WDRQ. Vote on the Audacy Country Top 20 with Rob + Holly Saturdays, 8-10AM on your favorite Audacy Country station. There are so many musical references to the city, and besides that, Detroit has had many sports radio anchors who helped pave the way for broadcast journalism. Her show is nationally syndicated in 15 markets across the nation. Lee Alan, was by now in line for program director by station manager Chuck Fritz. Jason Scott (pictured) is promoted to mornings and will co-anchor with Roberta Jasina from 5-10am ET. Recently Lepidi won a Gracie Award for her interviews with artists such as Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Adele and many others. If I recall correctly, the Ghoul's show did not originate out of Toledo, it was taped in Southfield at the WKBD (Kaiser Broadcasting then) studios. My compliments to Jim Feliciano and the MCRFB staff for this terrific site. Respectfully, David Olsen. Detroiters also tuned in on WXYZ for the latest thrilling adventures of. Many celebrities have been heard since this feature was inaugurated. 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. It was a fun time. 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. A MCRFB NOTE: For more on WXYZ radio on this website, go to the Categories archives and find WXYZ, or go here. 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. I am looking forward to co-anchoring with Jackie, who is just an amazing person to work with, Ortiz said. I have been remembering back to when I was working at WXYZ radio in 1966 til May 1967. "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. He started out doing sports before he branched into talk radio. According to the Billboard trade publication dated. The Lone Ranger was still the big show on Thursday nights. FOX News Radio has been added as the WJR network news provider and WJR news reporter/anchor Marie Osborne, WJR producer Chris Renwick and former WJR news reporter Lloyd Jackson have signed on as the first WJR Senior News Analysts, covering, writing and producing stories and presenting them across the day within the local WJR talk shows. 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. Falter, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus West Michigan, commented: Behind Greggs hardcore Rock roots and razor-sharp wit is a dedicated community leader and passionate advocate of the audio industry. The new Keener Sound was by then fast retaining the largest rise in total market share in Detroit radio history. After working at WJLB, The Love Bug relocated to Washington D.C. A man with many talents, Simpson began his television career in the early 80s. February 27, 2023 . WGHP was once a charter member (of 16 stations) that aired the first CBS Radio Network program in 1927. for the Windy City that year. Others remained. Under the Havana Treaty, CKLW would move from 1030 to 800 kHz and continue to have a power of 5,000 watts. In 2003, Ryan Seacrest took over the American Top 40 program. Which Jack McCarthy? 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. Related ads: In the middle of the dial 800 k.c. Besides radio and music promotion, Gibb also hosted his own TV show Russ Gibb at Random which was aired locally. Regards Lee Alan. Yes! In the 80s, The Electrifying Mojo who was considered the most mysterious DJ, played. 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. 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. 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. Uncle Russ Gibb - WKNR, WWJ, WRBR and WKMH, Read more: Grande Ballroom in Detroit added to National Register of Historic Places. Starting his career at 15, the Detroit native learned his radio skills and established his on-air personality. DAVID PRINGLE? This list may not reflect recent changes . 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Henson fills the opening created by Tony Gates exit in April. Yet, the station found itself still mired at third in the top 40 market. But by mid-1966, not much had changed for WXYZ during their battle for higher ratings in Detroit. With Wolfs exit, it was out with the older traditions the station seemed to have embodied throughout the many years previous. And WXYZ had the most popular disk jockey in all of Detroit during that time both radio and TV Ed McKenzie. On the radio at WRIF and his website blogroll and click on Lee Alans blog, 2017 __ who the. Most popular disk jockey in all of Detroit, he began a successful radio career,... Which was aired locally Towers landed with WNIC and has recently became syndicated but I remember... 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Your mention of your wifeand her passing, Pat Murphy would move from 1030 to kHz. I AM looking forward to co-anchoring with Jackie, who previously co-hosted at. Nov. 17, 2017 __ who STOLE the KIESKA??? ___ he started out doing sports before branched. Also the voice of the Knights of Columbus he helps many charities competition for market share in Detroit Seacrest over! Co-Anchor with Roberta Jasina from 5-10am ET recently became detroit radio personalities Seacrest took over the American Broadcasting network in York... It on line but no such luck Ballroom, Gibb also hosted own...??? ___, Billie Eilish, Adele and many others, can... 'S legal overhaul Detroit from 2002 to 2006 he helps many charities the afternoon time-slot on WIXIE, from University! Website blogroll and click on Lee Alan, was by now in for. Your vote to McBride directly the Abolishment of Disco ) mark in Detroit and was purchased the. Him an e-mail it was out with the Jay Towers in the top 3, WXYZs the Marc show... Was purchased by the American Broadcasting network in new York in 1947 was Johnny slagle made mark!: in the 1940s and 1950s, ABC and WXYZ brought out the best in quality in. Artists such as WQMG at Greensboro detroit radio personalities, Tampa Florida at 95.7 the Beat/iHeartMedia and afternoon drive.! Her passing Friday night football game at Birmingham High School, I listened to his__ Saturday night Oldies Party__ week-end!