• 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

Bill Drake dies

So sad to hear. I consider Bill Drake the best that Top 40 radio ever had. I know we all have to go sometime but when a legend passes it really is sad. I guess God needed a good programmer.
 
Like thousands of others, I have made a living and career by virtue of the genius of Bill Drake. I never worked for him, but his influence on the industry carried all those who insisted on putting the station before self, and the listener above all.

Bill’s artistic/technical/disciplined approach to radio programming created a matrix for consistent station growth while at the same time, providing a never-ending foundation for the performance and achievement of on-air personalities….a respectful, collegial balance simply not seen in today’s programmers.

His work also typifies the mystery of Radio’s Giants….Millions knew his work, yet few knew him.

God Bless The Great Bill Drake.

J-D

Jon-David Wells
The Wells Report, Talk Radio 570 KLIF
[email protected]
 
Drake was the innovative force behind the "tightening" of the Top 40 format at a time when jocks had essentially free reign to stop and talk and talk and talk.

His innovation was to play the hits, keep the talk brief, concise, to the point, and ENTERTAIN.

The last word in that sentence was often forgotten when naysayers would trash Bill Drake. They would say all he did was shut up the jocks.

A closer study will reveal much the opposite, he ENCOURAGED entertainment and DISCOURAGED endless rambling and worthless content in favor of keeping the hits rolling and meshing that with personality and entertainment.

Not everybody GOT IT, but those who did were masterful in the execution. Robert W. Morgan, The Real Don Steele, Charlie Tuna, Mark Elliot, Sam Riddle, Charlie Van Dyke, and most all of the KHJ people. All total pro's who worked within the format yet exuded personality that transcended the format. All under the direction of one Mr. Bill Drake, a master at the art of top 40 execution.

He may be gone, but the "hits just keep onnnn comin'".
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom