Jim Keating

[John1]

There is a Breaking News headline on R-I tonight that veteran radio manager Jim Keating died in Florida today. Am I right in remembering he was responsible for the WCAU-FM first version of Solid Gold Oldies (oldies/top 40 hybrid) in the early 1970's that is still well-remembered on this board?

 

[fennessy]

If my memory serves me correctly, Jim became GM of WCAU-FM in the latter part of that station's Solid Gold Radio format, which was launched in 1970. Jim was there to launch Fascinatin' Rhythm in 1975, and left WCAU-FM for Washington in 1977. I worked there as a jock under PD Jim Nettleton, and it's sad to note their passings were so close.

 

[oasisrulz]

Its a shame to hear, and I am sorry to hear of his passing... BUT.... he destroyed Solid Gold Radio single handed, had run-ins with the Bird, Hatch, Manning and Foley, the Bird took off as soon as the Disco fiasco started. Foley had to stay on because of his contract but was on very late and very unhappy...the others flew the coup including the great Diamond Jim....Stevens poisoned Keatings mind about flipping to Disco....so from a 4.2 they dropped to a 0.3 and never fully recovered... so my memories of him are his destruction of a great oldies station, many people complained but he never gave a hoot and it goes far deeper but I don't have the room on this board to vent it....CBS-FM continued being great and WPEN never picked up the ball filling the oldies gap, they soon went Contemporary.....rant done...

 

[Paul Orr]

You should have left it at "Its a shame to hear, and I am sorry to hear of his passing". When your time comes, for the sake of your family - let's hope the folks who saw it differently from you will use better judgement. I programmed WCKT for Jim Keating in Fort Myers. We won. I remember a great leader, husband and friend and that ain't changin'.
Paul Orr

 

[Seltzer]

There was nothing "fascinating" about the rhythm on 98.1. But I remember the oldies programming with fondness. CAU FM and the old WIFI 92 were the reasins why I got a Sparkomatic FM converter for my AM car radio.

 

[Gene Manning]

I am very sad to learn of Jim's passing. Jim gave me the opportunity to prove myself in Philadelphia many years ago and, thank God, it worked out for both of us. I have many fond memories of WCAU-FM and I will always be grateful to Jim Keating and Jim Nettleton for that spark. Keating was a great boss and a real good guy. Sincere condolences to Barbara and his family and friends.

 

[JBT]

To say I'm late to this party is putting it mildly.

I'm incredibly saddened to hear of Jim's passing. I had no idea (I live in NY now for many years).

I worked for Jim Keating in ad sales when WCBS FM was Fascinatin' Rhythm. For those nay-seyers - you couldn't have been more wrong about Jim. He cared deeply for that format. I left WCBS FM after 2 years to work at CBS National in NY - and if you don't know the inner workings of corporate - then you really have absolutely no right to say nasty things about Jim Keating. I agree with those who also worked with him. He was a great manager, exceptionally motivating and when I was there that station positively rocked! And for the people he didn't get along with like Dan Foley? Love Dan - but he had a different perspective than Jim as well as a lot of other people. That's all.