September 18, 1966: The Pop Explosion began on WFIL 560 AM

[WTUX]

Regarding a post way above this one, Don Cannon was on WIBG in 1971. My buddy and I shared driving to classes in Chester. On the days he drove, we listened to Cannon. Days I drove, it was Dr. Don Rose.

 

[fred flintstone]

Yeah.. I remember that WIBBAGE wake. Here's the million dollar question. How many stations today would ever get a send off like what some of these great old stations got? The answer is none. And why? Because..sad to say..no one would care. And why would no one care? Because there was never any magic to begin with.

WPEN gave the Standards format a good send-off three years ago. But the station had identifiable personalities and an older audience to identify with them. Listeners don't experience the kind of relationship with either stations or personalities they once did (with the possible exception of talk radio in some markets).

The magic exists in the memories. If you listen to airchecks, mostly AM Top40 wasn't that good (and wouldn't make it today).

Often management does not want to allow a send-off (as with WCBS-FM) and is only looking forward to the new format. This is often because a new management, which had nothing to do with the old format, has been brought in.

 

[amfmsw]

I was at the Wibbage Wake on Saturday 9/9/77 (prophetic, huh?) The building at 117 Ridge Pike was like a morgue. The gold records were already taken off the wall over the sweeping staircase from the lobby to the studios on the second floor. The phones were jammed, the parking in the lot was scarce as it was filled with ENG units from Ch3, 6 & 10, and other stations. I wanted one more look in the WIBG building, and out the employees kitchen area to look at the then 5 towers.

I did my internship there under Cannon and Sandy Mirzeoff, the MD. I was manning phones for the "Stay Awake, Feed A Friend" Marathon when Don set a short lived Guinness Record for the longest broadcast. I was there when they stunted with the 12 Days Of Christmas, and filled the front "lawn" of the complex with every animal and character in the song. I did the then necessary FCC ascertainment for license renewal, answered request phones, and was trusted to pick out the oldies for the weekends. (Of course, they were always double checked by Sandy). It was a real part of the community. It lived and breathed. It had a palpable feeling of life just entering the doors. I'm sure it felt the same way at City Line Avenue's WFIL, WIFI too.

But the days of a radio station ever again feeling that way, I'm afraid, are gone forever. Owners today just don't get it, or care.