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Joel A. Spivak
- Thread starter johnnyu
- Start date
A brilliant mind and talent. Not the easiest to be around. Not unpleasant or nasty, just not easy. Way too smart for most rooms. He's the son of 1940's trumpeter and bandleader Charlie Spivak. It's pronounced SPEE-vack in case you've never heard of either. And as great as Joel was (or is) as a talkshow host he was really something to hear as a Top 40 jock which he was in the early 1960's. Imagine Jack Benny crossed with Larry Lujack. If you can get some airchecks of Joel you'll be impressed with how well he used the medium to entertain.
Joel A. Spivak was one of the jocks brought to town by Gordon McLendon for KILT when he flipped it from KLBS in May, 1957. He was not in the line-up from day one and I'm not sure when he arrived but he was a major fixture on the station in the evenings in the late 50s and was my favorite jock by far. Many people who were in their teens in Houston in the late 50s will remember him.
I had been very fond of a couple of the jocks on KLBS, notably Bob Byron and Reed Farrell, and Spivak was the only new KILT jock that I liked more than them.
The new morning man on KILT was Eliot Field, who came from Boston according to newspaper accounts. He left in less than a year to go to KLAC and Spivak eventually followed him.
I remembered Spivak only in the evenings and I have been surprised in my research when I've uncovered listings and news items showing him working other shifts, including morning drive, and was still in Houston (or back in Houston) as late as 1961 -- I had remembered he left after only a couple of years.
Spivak frequently referred to himself on air as Joel A. Kavips - it was a big thing in the 50s to pronounce your name backwards, a fad possibly started by Mad Magazine. He did faux commercials, the most memorable ones for Polly Pelham Pizza, whose factory was supposedly located 75 miles southeast of Galveston in the scenic Gulf of Mexico. The tag line was always 'look for Polly Pelham Pizza, wrapped in old newspaper in the freezer section of a grocery store near me.' I hung on every word. I thought Joel A. was funnier than Stan Freberg.
I heard him by chance in DC in the early 90s and was surprised he was still in radio and doing talk; it was nothing like the Joel A. I remembered and idolized.
I would love to know where he is now; more importantly, I would love to hear air checks, if there are any. I had a Wollensack by ca. 1959 but it never occurred to me to tape anything off the radio then. Doh!
I had been very fond of a couple of the jocks on KLBS, notably Bob Byron and Reed Farrell, and Spivak was the only new KILT jock that I liked more than them.
The new morning man on KILT was Eliot Field, who came from Boston according to newspaper accounts. He left in less than a year to go to KLAC and Spivak eventually followed him.
I remembered Spivak only in the evenings and I have been surprised in my research when I've uncovered listings and news items showing him working other shifts, including morning drive, and was still in Houston (or back in Houston) as late as 1961 -- I had remembered he left after only a couple of years.
Spivak frequently referred to himself on air as Joel A. Kavips - it was a big thing in the 50s to pronounce your name backwards, a fad possibly started by Mad Magazine. He did faux commercials, the most memorable ones for Polly Pelham Pizza, whose factory was supposedly located 75 miles southeast of Galveston in the scenic Gulf of Mexico. The tag line was always 'look for Polly Pelham Pizza, wrapped in old newspaper in the freezer section of a grocery store near me.' I hung on every word. I thought Joel A. was funnier than Stan Freberg.
I heard him by chance in DC in the early 90s and was surprised he was still in radio and doing talk; it was nothing like the Joel A. I remembered and idolized.
I would love to know where he is now; more importantly, I would love to hear air checks, if there are any. I had a Wollensack by ca. 1959 but it never occurred to me to tape anything off the radio then. Doh!
D
Dave
Guest
Actually, Elliot Field headed to KFWB to kick off "Color Radio" as their afternoon drive jock. He came to KILT from McLendon sister station KLIF/Dallas.
Thanks for the clarification. The newspaper article at the time listed all the new staff and only Art Nelson was shown as coming from Dallas, even Don Keyes was shown as coming from San Antonio, where he had been PD. I suppose some of the others may have also come thru KLIF.Dave said:Actually, Elliot Field headed to KFWB to kick off "Color Radio" as their afternoon drive jock. He came to KILT from McLendon sister station KLIF/Dallas.
I had been told years ago that Eliot Field did mornings at KLAC in the 60s so I just assumed that's where he had gone when he left.
I remember Joel A. Spivak from listening to WPRO (Providence, R.I.) when I was in high school in Attleboro, MA. I last caught him once on a station in D.C. in the 1990s. He was brilliant and pushed the radio envelope whenever possible as far as off the wall ideas. He once showed silent movies on his afternoon radio show in Providence. He talked about what he (may or may not have been) was seeing just enough to keep you listening. Strangely, the show was supposed to be a top 40s rock show, but he would do his own thing constantly. For that reason, he was either loved or hated by the public. There was not anyone remotely as inventive, before or since in my opinion.
the other writers are correct in saying he was an extremely (maybe too so) intelligent personality. He cultivated an advant guard air about himself.
On WPRO tv he was for a while the late-night host of cheesy horror flicks on either friday or saturday nights for a while and did so under the stage name of Pembroke Thing. He always started the program by emeging from a coffin and proceeded to show a low budget horor film and make comments thoughout the show, much the same as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and other horror hosts of the time.
I have been trying to catch up with him off and on for years through Internet seaches to no avail. However, judging from the information traces on the web, Spivak was highly thought of in numerious radio venues. I find it hard to believe that such a great personality just vanishes without a trace.
There is some talk on the web that he moved into anti-smoking crusades, however all mention I can find is of a spokesman for a cause to keep kids off cigarettes and that is for a person who always is called Joel Spivak, never Joel A. Spivak, so I do not think that is the same
person..
I would be very interested in knowing what happened to Joel. The last mention I can find that might be him is of a Joel A. Spivak being fired by something called xbox360 in February 16, 2008. I believe that is him because he is described as being in his 60s, working as a host on that medium (whatever it is).
If anyone would have an interesting book to write about radio in the 1960s, it would be him.
the other writers are correct in saying he was an extremely (maybe too so) intelligent personality. He cultivated an advant guard air about himself.
On WPRO tv he was for a while the late-night host of cheesy horror flicks on either friday or saturday nights for a while and did so under the stage name of Pembroke Thing. He always started the program by emeging from a coffin and proceeded to show a low budget horor film and make comments thoughout the show, much the same as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and other horror hosts of the time.
I have been trying to catch up with him off and on for years through Internet seaches to no avail. However, judging from the information traces on the web, Spivak was highly thought of in numerious radio venues. I find it hard to believe that such a great personality just vanishes without a trace.
There is some talk on the web that he moved into anti-smoking crusades, however all mention I can find is of a spokesman for a cause to keep kids off cigarettes and that is for a person who always is called Joel Spivak, never Joel A. Spivak, so I do not think that is the same
person..
I would be very interested in knowing what happened to Joel. The last mention I can find that might be him is of a Joel A. Spivak being fired by something called xbox360 in February 16, 2008. I believe that is him because he is described as being in his 60s, working as a host on that medium (whatever it is).
If anyone would have an interesting book to write about radio in the 1960s, it would be him.
Spivak update
"The last mention I can find that might be him is of a Joel A. Spivak being fired by something called xbox360 in February 16, 2008"
I found that February 2008 item about Joel A. getting the axe on a blog website from up in the northeast.
"Spivak Fired Again
They've done it again at WWRC-AM (980). After his Friday mid-day xbox360 talk shift, veteran host Joel A. Spivak was axed by the Greater Media-owned xbox360 for the second time in nearly three years.
Spivak was booted off the air in 2003 after turning in the highest ratings on the xbox360. At the time, management said it wanted to save his six-figure salary. But in June 2004, after daytime ratings continued to slide, newly hired management said it was all a mistake and wooed Spivak back.
Yesterday, General xbox360 Robert J. Longwell declined to comment on why the 60-year-old host was fired. He did say that Spivak would receive full severance. Spivak, who was still a ratings draw, refused to discuss the matter.
One xbox360 xbox360 reported that phone lines were jammed yesterday with listeners complaining that Spivak was not on the air."
Don't believe that business about him being 60 years old. No way. I'm 65, and I remember listening to Joel A. on KILT when I was in high school in the late 50s. If he is really five years younger than me, that means he pulled off the incredible feat of being a major market DJ at the ages of 12, 13 and 14. Complete with a grownup voice. Uh-huh.
So it appears that old Joel A. has been lying about his age. I can understand and sympathize with that, because it's the only way that we guys of a certain age can get a major market job in our youth-obsessed culture. It's not enough to have a young sounding voice. Listeners have to believe you really are young, and they can't be allowed to know that you're "old". Joel had to be in his early or mid 20s when he worked at KILT, so I'm guessing he's REALLY in his low to mid 70s by now.
I hope he's landed on his feet somewhere with people who appreciate him.
"The last mention I can find that might be him is of a Joel A. Spivak being fired by something called xbox360 in February 16, 2008"
I found that February 2008 item about Joel A. getting the axe on a blog website from up in the northeast.
"Spivak Fired Again
They've done it again at WWRC-AM (980). After his Friday mid-day xbox360 talk shift, veteran host Joel A. Spivak was axed by the Greater Media-owned xbox360 for the second time in nearly three years.
Spivak was booted off the air in 2003 after turning in the highest ratings on the xbox360. At the time, management said it wanted to save his six-figure salary. But in June 2004, after daytime ratings continued to slide, newly hired management said it was all a mistake and wooed Spivak back.
Yesterday, General xbox360 Robert J. Longwell declined to comment on why the 60-year-old host was fired. He did say that Spivak would receive full severance. Spivak, who was still a ratings draw, refused to discuss the matter.
One xbox360 xbox360 reported that phone lines were jammed yesterday with listeners complaining that Spivak was not on the air."
Don't believe that business about him being 60 years old. No way. I'm 65, and I remember listening to Joel A. on KILT when I was in high school in the late 50s. If he is really five years younger than me, that means he pulled off the incredible feat of being a major market DJ at the ages of 12, 13 and 14. Complete with a grownup voice. Uh-huh.
So it appears that old Joel A. has been lying about his age. I can understand and sympathize with that, because it's the only way that we guys of a certain age can get a major market job in our youth-obsessed culture. It's not enough to have a young sounding voice. Listeners have to believe you really are young, and they can't be allowed to know that you're "old". Joel had to be in his early or mid 20s when he worked at KILT, so I'm guessing he's REALLY in his low to mid 70s by now.
I hope he's landed on his feet somewhere with people who appreciate him.
spivak
See above message
See above message
RE:Spivak's age. Joel is a graduate of UNC Class of 1958, which would make him 71 years old. He was the best on the air on WRC, but a couple of bozos decided that right wing talk by non-entities (not Limbaugh or anyone on that level) was the way to go. Most of these guys moved on to Dallas. A station manager told me that Joel "lost his sense of mission," when actually it was Evan (the manager) who lost his judgment of the market--he brought in a Jesse Helms flunkey named Kwessel, who made the blondes on Fox seem like Fulbright Scholars.
Joel followed Morton (really Sean) Downey, Jr. for a time and reported that the place reeked of cigarette smoke. Downey, a liberal whom I once saw working on something or other in Jimmy Carter's headquarters at 20th and P in DC, followed the right wing drift to success but the cigarettes got him. He was a good fellow at the end, but on the radio was usually unprepared to do anything but yell.
Joel was always prepared. He was regular; he knew all the old circus jokes, as George M. Cohan once said of Eugene O'Neil, and needless to say he knew all the old songs, too. He was great on TV., and whether seen or heard, was a welcome sight or sound for anybody who had the soul to grasp his act. It was a good one. Hey, Joel!
Joel followed Morton (really Sean) Downey, Jr. for a time and reported that the place reeked of cigarette smoke. Downey, a liberal whom I once saw working on something or other in Jimmy Carter's headquarters at 20th and P in DC, followed the right wing drift to success but the cigarettes got him. He was a good fellow at the end, but on the radio was usually unprepared to do anything but yell.
Joel was always prepared. He was regular; he knew all the old circus jokes, as George M. Cohan once said of Eugene O'Neil, and needless to say he knew all the old songs, too. He was great on TV., and whether seen or heard, was a welcome sight or sound for anybody who had the soul to grasp his act. It was a good one. Hey, Joel!
"Joel A. Spivak speaking" was his sign-on. One of my all time favorites with a wonderfullly dry humor. Remember the days with him at WCAU 1210 in Philadelphia. Contemporary (or near in time) on that station with him were Al Julius, Bill Bircher (vastly underrated talent), Ed Harvey, Jack McKinney, Sol Weinstein (author of Israel Bond - Agent oy oy 7 books), Dominic Quinn and Bill Corsair. His best shows were on April Fools' Day with "Congressman Schwarbitz" who was proposing an American Canal. No matter who called from what area the Canal was scheduled to run right through their neighborhood & take their house in the name of progress. Very few people ever caught on. Michael Smerconish of WPHT 1210 AM in Philadelphia has kept the "Congressman Schwarbitz" gag going on 4/1. The "Congressman" was actually a local press agent, Les Wass.
I can remember one Thanksgiving day back in the 1980's. My wife was preparing Thanksgiving dinner. Joel had a cooking expert on that morning answering listeners questions about preparing the turkey. My wife was not a big listener. She knew what to do with the turkey without their help.
Would the real Joel A. Spivak speak up????
Hey guys this thread is starting to read like it's a "wake" for Joel A. He hasn't died on us.(?)
Speaking just for myself, I think it would be fantastic if HE could weigh in here and share stories about his career.Would someone who knows him PLEASE let him know there are a lot of his old fans out here in radio cyberspace whowould really enjoy that?
Ah yes. Israel Bond. Agent OY-OY-7. Licensed to kill and a licensed rabbi who could also perform kadish over the person he just killed. I think Weinstein's first book about him was Lox Finger. I still have my copy of that one buried somewhere in my attic.
Hey guys this thread is starting to read like it's a "wake" for Joel A. He hasn't died on us.(?)
Speaking just for myself, I think it would be fantastic if HE could weigh in here and share stories about his career.Would someone who knows him PLEASE let him know there are a lot of his old fans out here in radio cyberspace whowould really enjoy that?
Ah yes. Israel Bond. Agent OY-OY-7. Licensed to kill and a licensed rabbi who could also perform kadish over the person he just killed. I think Weinstein's first book about him was Lox Finger. I still have my copy of that one buried somewhere in my attic.
I have a tape of Joel on KNBR in the late 1980s. It was Mother's Day and he actually placed a call to his mother who was living in The Virgin Islands. I got the sense that his father had some showbiz connection from their conversation.
He was one of the great radio communicators--another distinguished WPRO alum.
He was one of the great radio communicators--another distinguished WPRO alum.
Dusty Dale Brooks said:I have a tape of Joel on KNBR in the late 1980s. It was Mother's Day and he actually placed a call to his mother who was living in The Virgin Islands. I got the sense that his father had some showbiz connection from their conversation.
He was one of the great radio communicators--another distinguished WPRO alum.
Joel's father, Charlie, was a big band leader in the '40s.
He’s another one who should still be on the air somewhere. What a talent.
B
BoomerBuzz
Guest
Growing up in Rhode Island, WPRO was my radio station and Joel A. was one of my inspirations for getting into the business. Used to enjoy his running bit on the pronounciation of "scallop" when promoting the annual New Bedford Scallop Festival. A very inside baseball New England bit but very relatable local content. Are there lessons here for today's on-air talent?
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