M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
Every city had somebody playing Top 40 back in the day, but it seems this city likes to talk about more. Why?
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...all great stations in the day, but when was WVON ever Top 40? They were always R&B/Soul to my knowledge. Perhaps you're mistaking it with WDHF?...cyberdad said:
...WIND played ROCK in the '70s, too -- I have a Connie Szerszen aircheck that has her playing Led Zeppelin, The Who and J. Geils in '75...Prais said:
cyberdad said:
Cyberdad is correct. WIND would countdown the Top 21 records according to their survey in the late 50s on some nights. I especially remember listening on Sunday nights. The rest of the day they were more "easy listening/MOR".
Cyberdad and Radioman have skipped over the early 50's..
Prior to WJJD being "ROCK" actually the term should be "top 40" - the TOP songs of teen-age interest... they were (very) HILLBILLY COUNTRY. Randy Blake had "the barnyard frolic" (really!) ...This was prior to their years as a top 40 station.
While WJJD was in THAT format - WIND was already playing the "top music" of the day; as I mentioned Eddie Fisher (the teen idol of the moment), Fats Domno, Kay Starr ("The Rock & Roll Waltz") the Ames Brothers (Rag Mop) Teresa Brewer, Patty Page, and Les Paul & Mary Ford were PRE WJJD and music for teen agers of the day. That was what was "hot" in that era.
Even WGN had "Coke Time" (referring to the DRINK), with JIM LOUNSBURY - same type music sponsored by Coca Cola, and Wally Phillips broadcasting live from Riverview, interviewing (mostly ) teenagers.
WIND and even WGN had a VARIETY of stuff and only had "kid interest" programs. In the early 50's WJJD was mostly country.
In 1953 - WIND played "contemporary music." I don't think the term "top 40" (prior to Tod Storz format - was that in Kansas City?) was in common useage as yet. WIND was NOT "mor" yet. That came later.
The McGuire Sisters as a pop group were NOT (maybe seldom) on WJJD - but OFTEN on WIND. WJJD's dance with "top 40" started a bit later.
In the LATE 50's WJJD was a great top 40 station w/Ernie Simon and Del Clark, Reese Rickards with a really strong local news department (including police call stuff) but AFTER WIND.
Prior to WJJD being "ROCK" actually the term should be "top 40" - the TOP songs of teen-age interest... they were (very) HILLBILLY COUNTRY. Randy Blake had "the barnyard frolic" (really!) ...This was prior to their years as a top 40 station.
While WJJD was in THAT format - WIND was already playing the "top music" of the day; as I mentioned Eddie Fisher (the teen idol of the moment), Fats Domno, Kay Starr ("The Rock & Roll Waltz") the Ames Brothers (Rag Mop) Teresa Brewer, Patty Page, and Les Paul & Mary Ford were PRE WJJD and music for teen agers of the day. That was what was "hot" in that era.
Even WGN had "Coke Time" (referring to the DRINK), with JIM LOUNSBURY - same type music sponsored by Coca Cola, and Wally Phillips broadcasting live from Riverview, interviewing (mostly ) teenagers.
WIND and even WGN had a VARIETY of stuff and only had "kid interest" programs. In the early 50's WJJD was mostly country.
In 1953 - WIND played "contemporary music." I don't think the term "top 40" (prior to Tod Storz format - was that in Kansas City?) was in common useage as yet. WIND was NOT "mor" yet. That came later.
The McGuire Sisters as a pop group were NOT (maybe seldom) on WJJD - but OFTEN on WIND. WJJD's dance with "top 40" started a bit later.
In the LATE 50's WJJD was a great top 40 station w/Ernie Simon and Del Clark, Reese Rickards with a really strong local news department (including police call stuff) but AFTER WIND.
Prais said:
Prais,
I'm sure you're correct about WIND in the early 50s. All I was trying to say was that once WJJD began playing Top 40 they did it during their entire broadcast day. Whereas WIND in the late 50s wasn't playing "Top 40"
all the time.
There's no doubt that WIND played pop music before WJJD.
Prais....
No doubt you're technically correct. The solid successful franchise that WIND built during the 50s was founded in the early part of the decade playing the top-selling tunes of the day. But as the mid-50s approached, music began to change as rock music crept into the mix. At some point, a decision was made that WIND would omit or de-emphasise some of the "harder" stuff. At least in some or most dayparts.
So hence, if one would define "Top 40" as strictly playing the top charted tunes of the day, WIND got there first in the early 50s. If you modify your definition as "Top 40" in what's generally regarded as the "rock era", then I'd submit that WJJD was the first station in Chicago to play the entire "rock era top 40" in Chicago throughout its broadcast day with few, if any, restrictions or exceptions.
No doubt you're technically correct. The solid successful franchise that WIND built during the 50s was founded in the early part of the decade playing the top-selling tunes of the day. But as the mid-50s approached, music began to change as rock music crept into the mix. At some point, a decision was made that WIND would omit or de-emphasise some of the "harder" stuff. At least in some or most dayparts.
So hence, if one would define "Top 40" as strictly playing the top charted tunes of the day, WIND got there first in the early 50s. If you modify your definition as "Top 40" in what's generally regarded as the "rock era", then I'd submit that WJJD was the first station in Chicago to play the entire "rock era top 40" in Chicago throughout its broadcast day with few, if any, restrictions or exceptions.
Ultimajock said:
D
Dr Wayne
Guest
I was with Connie last Saturday and she is doing great. Her book just was released I think it is called "Top Rock Girly Jock"
She was on WGN with Steve and Johnny and will be on again soon.
I was sad to learn that Lyle Dean's wife Sharon passed away.
She was on WGN with Steve and Johnny and will be on again soon.
I was sad to learn that Lyle Dean's wife Sharon passed away.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I'm sorry if this is a little off topic. Prais, you mentioned Reese Rickards, wasn't he still doing the news forPrais said:
Clark Weber when he had his morning show on WJJD?
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