The Legendary Bill Drake

[FRR]

Does anyone have information on the great Bill Drake, who turned programming into a real science. Is he still in the business? Does he have any projects in the pipeline?

 

[uppendowndadial]

Last I heard he was still living comfortable in SoCal, and shunning interviews.

 

[lash]

His current project is this:

http://www.top40timeclock.com/

 

[rester]

The Top 40 Time Clock is interesting. At least, something NEW. I sincerely hope he finds clients for it.

 

[kirkiefan]

If anybody can rescue classic first generation Top 40 rock n' soul,he can...but please Mr. Drake...no automation this time. Bring back the personalities,the fun and the magic!

 

[lostangeles]

Mr. Drake is waiting for the next wave of satellite programmers to get real and stop ruining a great piece of technology, with self serving, self indulgent, unlistenable programming, from people who have never had a number one anything, let alone a network they are running into the ground. If the stock holders knew what was really going on, neither satellite source would be available today. Predictably, what WILL happen is that people will say, "See, satellite doesn't work"........and that's because they never knew what to do with what they had. Notice, I said "had". Anyone see their stock price lately? Not a true broadcaster who's been successful amongst 'em. Not a one who's developed anything on their own. Only those who've taken over a winner in the past or driven a winner into the ground. The airwaves have become a joke and the laugh's on us. Sorry................. :

 

[skippertthomas]

I think alot of us started thinking and discussing this back into the mid-80's.. BUT, only Bill really has the 'can do it' to put it together, right and planned out like a well constructed building.. Happy he's still at it and emailed his group to let him know... Many can create this in the mind, but it takes a Drake to make it really happen and done with the right bells and whistles...

 

[rester]

I fully agree. Mr. Drake can kick some ass and make FM less predictable with his new way of thinking. I'm waiting for the first station to sign on...

 

[billelder]

I went to college in Georgia and was friends with Bill Drake's nephew. (last name Yarborough, of course) He found out I was in radio and said "my uncle is in radio."
"Oh!," I said, "what's his name?"
"Bill Drake," he replied acting surprised I had heard of him. LOL I almost passed out. What great folks. I would have never have made it through the mandatory "mile run" in PE if not for that friend.

Later, the Drake-Chenault station where I worked pulled a 27 share in an 18 station market. Mike Kenotian (sp?) was our consultant and a great guy. John Leader did our liners and Johhny Mann did our jingles.

This doesn't surprise me one bit. Can't wait to hear it wherever it plays.

 

[HHH]

Mixed feelings about Mr. Drake.

His stations were slick, really pro and beautifully produced.

But musically? Well, he had the shortest playlist in the country and was generally the last to add a new song.

Personality? It is my understanding that he reigned in his jocks and boiled them down to pretty much card readers. There may have been exceptions, but I don't remember anyone (outside of Dorman in the morning) on WRKO Boston who said anything but slogans and teasers.
I don't think that personalities flourished (generally) under Mr. Drake.

 

[FRR]

I think you are 100% correct HHH, but nothing in the world has ever sounded like his stations from 65-72 or3. The format was sooo tight, but yet, the jocks did find a way to insert some personality into the day. Yes, I pity the poor guy who deviated from that format. He was probably gone quickly. I have hours of tapes from WUBE from 67-68 when Drake programmed them. His only failure, I understand. Too weak a signal.
Those jocks were cool. Best jingles in the history of radio, hands down.

 

[Whiplash]

Nothing has come with his time clock website, no stations have signed on, and they don't respond when you email them for information. Don't understand!

But hands down Drake programmed radio stations, where the best I've ever heard.

 

[skyrocker]

I don't see how you can discuss Drake radio programming without mentioning Ron Jacobs. They were a team; one without the other is like night without day.

 

[BACKnUSSR]

Mixed feelings about Mr. Drake.

His stations were slick, really pro and beautifully produced.

But musically? Well, he had the shortest playlist in the country and was generally the last to add a new song.

Personality? It is my understanding that he reigned in his jocks and boiled them down to pretty much card readers. There may have been exceptions, but I don't remember anyone (outside of Dorman in the morning) on WRKO Boston who said anything but slogans and teasers.
I don't think that personalities flourished (generally) under Mr. Drake.

Actually personalities flourished BIG TIME under Drake. Robert W. Morgan, The Real Don Steele, Dr, Don Rose, Roger Christian, Charlie Tuna, Gary Burbank, Walt "Baby" Love, Charlie Van Dyke, Super Max Kinkel, Bobby Ocean, True Don Bleu, Shadoe Stevens, Dale Dorman, Humble Harv, John Landecker, Joey Reynolds and many more!!! Not only did Drake ENCOURAGE personality his stations probably produced more legendary jocks than anyone ever!!
He didn't stop air talent from taking more than a few seconds to make their point.....he found ones who had the ability to do it that well!!

 

[Band-Scanner]

There were plenty of "personalities" on Drake Consulted stations. The most notable that come to mind are the late "Real" Don Steele and Robert W. Morgan who worked at KHJ and later K-100 .You mentioned Dale Dorman @ WRKO. There were others @ RKO with a lot of personality including Jerry Butler, Johhny Williams, Johnny Dark etc. And let's not forget CKLW with "Brother" Biull Gable "Super" Max Kinckle and a whole lot more. KFRC was also a terrific " Drake station during its heydey.

What Bill Drake did for his client stations...most notably RKO General...was to "clean up" the sound of Top 40...eliminate the bells and whistles and mindless chatter. It was more of a challenge to be disciplined and succinct enough to come across as a personalityt over the intros & outros oif songs.

Yes their playlist of 30 records and a few "hitbounds" was a bit tight but in retrospect was just about the right amount. KHJ did play local LA acts as well. More "personalities"...Charlie Tuna, Charlie VanDyk, "Humble" Harv Bobby Ocean and much more.

In the smaller markets that had "fake drake" formats there was much more reliance on liner cards along with time & temp

 

[lostangeles]

Mr. Drake sends his best. He was recently inducted into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, along with a host of other pioneers in the medium. They have a website, so that you can check out the "Who's Who" of radio in Georgia. Soon, we're going to expand the www.top40TimeClock.com to include other "stuff". Right now, the site shows some thoughts of what Drake is developing. It will be, of course, perfectly done and will KILL, when he is ready. If ya know what I mean......... :-*

 

[michael hagerty]

Unfortunately, Bill Drake died about a year after that last post.

---Michael Hagerty

 

[lostangeles]

Mr. Haggerty, the Top40TimeClock will be a follow through. I have it on the best knowledge that there are a couple of people who were with Bill through the years that he worked with on this and basically, left it in their hands. It was his "gift" to them and when the elements are all together, the Hits Will Keep on Comin'. 8)

 

[michael hagerty]

Mr. Haggerty, the Top40TimeClock will be a follow through. I have it on the best knowledge that there are a couple of people who were with Bill through the years that he worked with on this and basically, left it in their hands. It was his "gift" to them and when the elements are all together, the Hits Will Keep on Comin'. 8)

LostAngeles, that is great news!

---Michael Hagerty

 

[radiorob2.0]

Mixed feelings about Mr. Drake.

His stations were slick, really pro and beautifully produced.

But musically? Well, he had the shortest playlist in the country and was generally the last to add a new song.

Personality? It is my understanding that he reigned in his jocks and boiled them down to pretty much card readers. There may have been exceptions, but I don't remember anyone (outside of Dorman in the morning) on WRKO Boston who said anything but slogans and teasers.
I don't think that personalities flourished (generally) under Mr. Drake.

Actually personalities flourished BIG TIME under Drake. Robert W. Morgan, The Real Don Steele, Dr, Don Rose, Roger Christian, Charlie Tuna, Gary Burbank, Walt "Baby" Love, Charlie Van Dyke, Super Max Kinkel, Bobby Ocean, True Don Bleu, Shadoe Stevens, Dale Dorman, Humble Harv, John Landecker, Joey Reynolds and many more!!! Not only did Drake ENCOURAGE personality his stations probably produced more legendary jocks than anyone ever!!
He didn't stop air talent from taking more than a few seconds to make their point.....he found ones who had the ability to do it that well!!

Amen. Though a few names didn't work for Drake they came from similar environments, entertain in the fewest words possible. It can be done and it produces amazing radio.