66 WNBC signed off the air for good after 66 years.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
20 Years ago today......
- Thread starter oldies981fan
- Start date
The once flagship station of the National Broadcasting Company, 660 WNBC-AM ended its long run in NY radio on October 7, 1988. I'll not repeat the history of the station here, but needless to say, it is a rich one.
My last broadcast on WNBC was bitter-sweet, as I played EVERY SINGLE SINGLE..."A" and "B" sides by The Beatles. THAT took 4 1/2 hours alone!! I ended the show in the exact way that Dan Ingram ended HIS run at WABC...I said "this will be the last time I ever get to say this WNBC-New York. I then played "Imagine" by John Lennon, followed by one of the most famous PAMS jingles EVER... The Chime Time. Then I had silence for about 3 seconds, and then Charles McCord did a newscast for Imus' last show. I had 25 or more invited and NOT invited guests in the studio that overnight...and everyone had a tear in their eye. We all realized that a lot of history happened with that station from its earliest days in the 1920's, through the '80's.
I couldn't return that afternoon for the official switch-over to WFAN. It was too emotional. Looking back, I wish I had attended. I've heard it many times, and I correspond with Alan Colmes to this day.
Several on and off-air staffers met the other night for an informal get-together at a mid-town eatery for fun and memories; representing the 70's incarnation, and then the last staff to occupy the 2nd floor of the NBC section of 30 Rock.
Former managers were also present, including Dale Parsons all the way from Maui, Kevin Metheny, Peg Kelly, Lee Davis and others. Many former sales staff members were there, sports folks including Mike Breen, newscasters including Catherine Smith, Mitch Lebe and Doug O'Brien, and jocks and sidekicks...including yours truly, Dan Taylor, Capt. Frank Reed, Alan Beebe, Bill Rock, Steve Warren, Al Rosenberg (who is one of the most wonderful persons I have ever met and one of the funniest), Peter Shain, music co-ordinator even Janie the cleaning lady was there collecting residuals from her Stern and Reynolds appearances. Producers Chris Doyle, Rodney Belizaire and others. Engineers including Harry Tucker (Imus), Bruce Leonard (Frank Reed, Stern), Gene Garnes (everyone at one time or another), Greg Aull and others.
The others are left off inadvertently because I either didn't know them, or just plain forgot some names. It HAS been over 20 years!
We remembered deceased folks like Jane Dornacker, Michael Sarzynski, Big Ron O'Brien, Jim Collins, and others.
No-shows included, Stern (got MARRIED that night, like he would have showed up!! Imus, like HE would have showed up. Charles McCord and most of the rest of Imus' staff.) Joey Reynolds (who was vacationing in Italy.) Alan Colmes (who was WORKING that evening.) Soupy Sales (I don't think he's up to it now...or had a gig in the Catskills.) Judy DeAngelis (she may have been tired from doing AM drive.) Roz Frank (I'm sorry, but I don't know where she is now.) Buzz Brindle (in Albany I believe.) The Real Bob James, Jack Scott, Bob Pittman, etc.....
Some folks who work at other stations in town attended including Herb Barry, Ron Parker and others. Some spouses attended all showing pix of kids and Grandkids in some cases. Hugs were happening everywhere all evening.
I have never worked with a nicer, friendlier bunch of people and bosses in my 38 years of broadcasting. I only wish some more of the many talented people who graced the airwaves at 30 Rock could have been there that evening. I'm sure some had prior commitments (Carol Mason was one that I know of, but she got TONS of pixs of the event.)
I'm only speaking from MY perspective here. WNBC had its ups and downs during its historic run. I worked there during its last 3 years, and even though the heady times were a thing of the past for the station, it was still handled professionally and with one thing in mind...to produce GREAT radio.
Other one-time staff members of WNBC AM might want to jump in here and give their version of the night’s events, or just memories of the station.
The last reunion included WYNY staff members 5 years ago at The Hard Rock. This was more informal. Special thanks to Janice Penino for putting THIS nice evening together and getting the word out. If I left any names out, I'm truly sorry.
There's Only One Place For People Like Us...
66 WNBC.
BE BIG!
Big Jay Sorensen
www.bigjayandanita.com
My last broadcast on WNBC was bitter-sweet, as I played EVERY SINGLE SINGLE..."A" and "B" sides by The Beatles. THAT took 4 1/2 hours alone!! I ended the show in the exact way that Dan Ingram ended HIS run at WABC...I said "this will be the last time I ever get to say this WNBC-New York. I then played "Imagine" by John Lennon, followed by one of the most famous PAMS jingles EVER... The Chime Time. Then I had silence for about 3 seconds, and then Charles McCord did a newscast for Imus' last show. I had 25 or more invited and NOT invited guests in the studio that overnight...and everyone had a tear in their eye. We all realized that a lot of history happened with that station from its earliest days in the 1920's, through the '80's.
I couldn't return that afternoon for the official switch-over to WFAN. It was too emotional. Looking back, I wish I had attended. I've heard it many times, and I correspond with Alan Colmes to this day.
Several on and off-air staffers met the other night for an informal get-together at a mid-town eatery for fun and memories; representing the 70's incarnation, and then the last staff to occupy the 2nd floor of the NBC section of 30 Rock.
Former managers were also present, including Dale Parsons all the way from Maui, Kevin Metheny, Peg Kelly, Lee Davis and others. Many former sales staff members were there, sports folks including Mike Breen, newscasters including Catherine Smith, Mitch Lebe and Doug O'Brien, and jocks and sidekicks...including yours truly, Dan Taylor, Capt. Frank Reed, Alan Beebe, Bill Rock, Steve Warren, Al Rosenberg (who is one of the most wonderful persons I have ever met and one of the funniest), Peter Shain, music co-ordinator even Janie the cleaning lady was there collecting residuals from her Stern and Reynolds appearances. Producers Chris Doyle, Rodney Belizaire and others. Engineers including Harry Tucker (Imus), Bruce Leonard (Frank Reed, Stern), Gene Garnes (everyone at one time or another), Greg Aull and others.
The others are left off inadvertently because I either didn't know them, or just plain forgot some names. It HAS been over 20 years!
We remembered deceased folks like Jane Dornacker, Michael Sarzynski, Big Ron O'Brien, Jim Collins, and others.
No-shows included, Stern (got MARRIED that night, like he would have showed up!! Imus, like HE would have showed up. Charles McCord and most of the rest of Imus' staff.) Joey Reynolds (who was vacationing in Italy.) Alan Colmes (who was WORKING that evening.) Soupy Sales (I don't think he's up to it now...or had a gig in the Catskills.) Judy DeAngelis (she may have been tired from doing AM drive.) Roz Frank (I'm sorry, but I don't know where she is now.) Buzz Brindle (in Albany I believe.) The Real Bob James, Jack Scott, Bob Pittman, etc.....
Some folks who work at other stations in town attended including Herb Barry, Ron Parker and others. Some spouses attended all showing pix of kids and Grandkids in some cases. Hugs were happening everywhere all evening.
I have never worked with a nicer, friendlier bunch of people and bosses in my 38 years of broadcasting. I only wish some more of the many talented people who graced the airwaves at 30 Rock could have been there that evening. I'm sure some had prior commitments (Carol Mason was one that I know of, but she got TONS of pixs of the event.)
I'm only speaking from MY perspective here. WNBC had its ups and downs during its historic run. I worked there during its last 3 years, and even though the heady times were a thing of the past for the station, it was still handled professionally and with one thing in mind...to produce GREAT radio.
Other one-time staff members of WNBC AM might want to jump in here and give their version of the night’s events, or just memories of the station.
The last reunion included WYNY staff members 5 years ago at The Hard Rock. This was more informal. Special thanks to Janice Penino for putting THIS nice evening together and getting the word out. If I left any names out, I'm truly sorry.
There's Only One Place For People Like Us...
66 WNBC.
BE BIG!
Big Jay Sorensen
www.bigjayandanita.com
M
mart
Guest
WNNNNBC was a pretty good and consistent AM Music station from 1977 through 1982 with Johnny Dark, Captain Frank Reed, Beebe, etc. Also, at one time a daytime line up of Imus, Soopy Sales and Stern...WOW. However, after Stern was fired from Late 1985 through it's demise in 1988 WNBC sounded like it had a severe Identity crisis (with the exception of IMUS in the morning). As it turned out, that was a good thing it went away and became WFAN.
Here is the clip of the final minutes of 66 WNBC from FormatChange.com!
http://www.formatchange.com/audio/248.mp3
http://www.formatchange.com/audio/248.mp3
Primary memories of WNNNNNNNNNNNNNBC:
1) The WNBC DJs handing out "Ones" contest tickets at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden. Ted Brown, a few at a time; Big Wilson, by the stack of 20 or 30 at a time! My mother won tickets to the circus for the four of us from WNBC. I was something less than seven years old at the time. Funny, I can't remember a thing about the actual circus!
2) When Imus actually played records on 66AM, waking up pretty consistently to "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty and the 12 inch "disco" extended version of Nicolette Larson's "Lotta Love" (written by Neil Young). It took me years to find that remix!
3) Marv Albert, and "YES!" Please note I refer only to sportscasts... ;D
1) The WNBC DJs handing out "Ones" contest tickets at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden. Ted Brown, a few at a time; Big Wilson, by the stack of 20 or 30 at a time! My mother won tickets to the circus for the four of us from WNBC. I was something less than seven years old at the time. Funny, I can't remember a thing about the actual circus!
2) When Imus actually played records on 66AM, waking up pretty consistently to "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty and the 12 inch "disco" extended version of Nicolette Larson's "Lotta Love" (written by Neil Young). It took me years to find that remix!
3) Marv Albert, and "YES!" Please note I refer only to sportscasts... ;D
J
Jul
Guest
Any additional comments?
A
andreajesus
Guest
Two words, Julius - TIME MACHINE!!
but seriously, before anyone thinks i've cracked up
, let me tell you - when 66 W-N-N-N-B-C did the whole "Time Machine" thing in the 80's, i loved it!! not only great music, but some pretty cool DJs also - Big Jay Sorensen (not just 'cos he posts on here)-he was (and STILL is) SO COOL with his "Record Pig" contests (I am an ORIGINAL Record Pig) and his style-always a joy to listen to; Peter Shain-just VERY entertaining with an EXTREMELY upbeat presentation; Carol Mason (Carol, where are you, girlfriend? We miss you--well, i do, anyway...8))-just one of the SWEETEST people in the world; and some dude by the name of Dan Taylor--whatever happened to him? (just kidding, DT - WE LOVE YOU!!)
anyhow, if i recall correctly, WNBC's Time Machine format was giving CBSFM a BRIEF run for its money back in the mid and late 80's...it was a fun time for oldies radio in New York....
Andrea
but seriously, before anyone thinks i've cracked up
, let me tell you - when 66 W-N-N-N-B-C did the whole "Time Machine" thing in the 80's, i loved it!! not only great music, but some pretty cool DJs also - Big Jay Sorensen (not just 'cos he posts on here)-he was (and STILL is) SO COOL with his "Record Pig" contests (I am an ORIGINAL Record Pig) and his style-always a joy to listen to; Peter Shain-just VERY entertaining with an EXTREMELY upbeat presentation; Carol Mason (Carol, where are you, girlfriend? We miss you--well, i do, anyway...8))-just one of the SWEETEST people in the world; and some dude by the name of Dan Taylor--whatever happened to him? (just kidding, DT - WE LOVE YOU!!) anyhow, if i recall correctly, WNBC's Time Machine format was giving CBSFM a BRIEF run for its money back in the mid and late 80's...it was a fun time for oldies radio in New York....
Andrea
- Status