Who was the greatest DJ of the 60s?

[Fenway1912]

Thanks, Fenway. I was thinking that there might be a "BZ specific version", but maybe not. The version from the link you posted sounds pretty much like what I was thinking of.

I sent an email to Dick and he replied this morning

Dick Summer
9:47 AM (43 minutes ago)
Reply
to me
Yeah, that's the recording. I didn't use the whole recording, just the last reprise.

Thanks, Fenway....

That explains why the recording didn't sound quite like the way I remembered it. Some of what your link led to sounded the same, while other parts sounded "different"....and the "different" part, was essentially the beginning two-thirds.

He sent me the version he saved to a mp3 from the cart - I just put it on YT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RseT-JZrxo

 

[BrotherBrian]

I've read all the posts, and some of my favorites haven't been mentioned yet! The one personality who inspired me more than any other in the 60s was the incomparable TOM CLAY on CKLW. He made me laugh, he made me cry, he made me want to be as good as he was, but of course I never came close. There are precious few clips of his airwork available. I'd love to have some if anyone has them. Others deserving recognition here include Chicago's Fred Winston, Pittsburgh's Clark Race, Raleigh's Pat Patterson, WBT's entire lineup of Ty Boyd, H.A. Thompson, Jack Petry and Bob Lacey in the late 60s and early 70s, and in a completely different genre - Joe Franklin on WOR!

Jeff Hunt
Roanoke VA

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

I am even more confident now than when Radioman started this thread that no one DJ can legitimately claim number 1 status. The popularity and fame of all submitted are subject to far too many mitigating dynamics; market size, local culture, time-sensitive social additudes, etc, etc...

A responsibly managed ballot initiative would ultimately force one name to the top, but the victor would hold a dubious distinction at best. All of the names submitted are (were) those of either great or the greatest DJs. By what criteria could we identify who truly and exclusively deserves the title, "THE GREATEST" ??

 

[cyberdad]

I am even more confident now than when Radioman started this thread that no one DJ can legitimately claim number 1 status. The popularity and fame of all submitted are subject to far too many mitigating dynamics; market size, local culture, time-sensitive social additudes, etc, etc...

A responsibly managed ballot initiative would ultimately force one name to the top, but the victor would hold a dubious distinction at best. All of the names submitted are (were) those of either great or the greatest DJs. By what criteria could we identify who truly and exclusively deserves the title, "THE GREATEST" ??

+1 Well said.

And there were probably just as many smaller market jocks who toiled in relative obscurity who would be worthy of mention as well. Dic Youngs, "The Old Youngster," who had a 40-year run at KIOA in Des Moines comes to mind. Eddie Doucette at 1kw WRIT in Milwaukee (and later became associated with Milwaukee Bucks basketball) is another.

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

I am even more confident now than when Radioman started this thread that no one DJ can legitimately claim number 1 status. The popularity and fame of all submitted are subject to far too many mitigating dynamics; market size, local culture, time-sensitive social additudes, etc, etc...

A responsibly managed ballot initiative would ultimately force one name to the top, but the victor would hold a dubious distinction at best. All of the names submitted are (were) those of either great or the greatest DJs. By what criteria could we identify who truly and exclusively deserves the title, "THE GREATEST" ??

+1 Well said.
And there were probably just as many smaller market jocks who toiled in relative obscurity who would be worthy of mention as well. Dic Youngs, "The Old Youngster," who had a 40-year run at KIOA in Des Moines comes to mind. Eddie Doucette at 1kw WRIT in Milwaukee (and later became associated with Milwaukee Bucks basketball) is another.

Excellent point! But Greatest DJ of the '60s is still a great thread, so let's keep it going...

 

[radioman148]

True that this is very subjective, but just as a reminder this is how the voting went down:

http://radioink.com/Article.asp?id=2329188&spid=24698

 

[Fenway1912]

I think on a pure level of impact in the market under daytime conditions it comes down to Dan Ingram and Larry Lujack,

But here is something else to consider.... there were also great MOR jocks in the 60's. Jess Cain at WHDH was the best in Boston history.

 

[MsMusicRadio]

I'm getting in on the tail end, but as a transplanted Southerner I want to add a few from Dixieland:

1) John R. --------nobody did it better bringing R&B to the entire East and South with a unique flair that created stories on one's mind.
2) Joe Rumore on WVOK in Birmingham Ala.
3) The great Coyote McCloud who did Top 40 as good as anyone-------"Let there be music"!!!
4) Arch Yancey on KIKK in Houston. Maybe too political, but one of a kind
5) Ralph Emory
6) Jack Gale and Long John Silver on Big WAYS in Charlotte
7) Randy Scott, Bob Canada, and Shane on WLEE (Richmond) ------a station that was as major market as anything in a top 20 market
8) Kirby Carmichael on WANT Richmond
9) Simon Trane on WQXI
10) Wayne Rainey on 50,000 watt WCKY playing Blue Grass and classic country for the East and South.

 

[cyberdad]

I'm getting in on the tail end, but as a transplanted Southerner I want to add a few from Dixieland:

I'm not familiar with most of these....but certainly John R. and Ralph Emery belong on any list of great deejays....1960s or any other era. Especially if we're expanding beyond top 40.

If that's the case, I'd probably also want to add Bill Mack from Dallas. He's now on Sirius XM, but I remember him from overnights on WBAP. Not sure where he may have been before that, but it had to have been Texas!

 

[radioman148]

I never heard Jack Gayle on the air live, but not too long ago I had the opportunity to listen to a few of his airchecks from the 60s. He was great. I assume he liked it in Charlotte because he certainly could have been in a major market if he had wanted to be.
I believe I heard he was in to station ownership down there.

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

I'm getting in on the tail end, but as a transplanted Southerner I want to add a few from Dixieland:

I'm not familiar with most of these....but certainly John R. and Ralph Emery belong on any list of great deejays....1960s or any other era. Especially if we're expanding beyond top 40. If that's the case, I'd probably also want to add Bill Mack from Dallas. He's now on Sirius XM, but I remember him from overnights on WBAP. Not sure where he may have been before that, but it had to have been Texas!

Yes, Bill Mack's DJ career was primarily in Texas. But I was surprised to learn that he also did a brief stint at XERF in Mexico (Wikipedia). Before his recent exit to Sirus, I enjoyed his live morning shows on Direct TV.

Perhaps the most endearing Bill Mack story that I have heard is of his connection to Patsy Cline. Bill origionally offered Blue to Patsy. She previewed it shortly before her death, but of course never got to record it. According to Bill Mack lore, he was so crushed by Patsy's untimely passing that he wouldn't offer the song to any other artist, that is, until years later when he heard Leanne Rymes' performance at a local show. He was so taken by the likeness of Rymes honest, though uncanny resemblence of Patsy Cline that he ultimately offered Blue to her, through her father's management (she was a minor at the time).

 

[howardm]

Probably nobody remembers a country DJ named Walter Vale, I think he was on XERF. And what about Arlen Vagen of WCKY Cincinatti, anybody have any memories of these 2 legends?

 

[KBland]

Maybe I missed his name out of all the suggestions, but anyone familiar with the work of Ted "Bear" Richards, from WAPE in J'vilee, FL, and more notably CKLW couldn't possibly leave him off.

 

[johnny marks]

I'll have to say Cousin Bruce Morrow. I visited him at WABC (Avenue Of The Americas) when Rick Sklar was PD. They both allowed me into the studio as my GM (Ace Lloyd) at KRYS in Corpus Christi heard I was going to NYC in '64-'65, and he opened all the doors. It was "Mad Men" as it happened! Dinning with all the big agency people..amazing..legal to drink at 18! Fool in a Fool's Paradise. Dick B. was in Cherry Hills right outside of Philly ("On top of my pizza all covered with cheese..with lots of hot pepper to make me sneeze!")..I'd have added Fred Winston and John "Records" Landecker in that August group..but Cousin Brucie was nice to me..he's the man in my book.

 

[radioman148]

I'll have to say Cousin Bruce Morrow. I visited him at WABC (Avenue Of The Americas) when Rick Sklar was PD. They both allowed me into the studio as my GM (Ace Lloyd) at KRYS in Corpus Christi heard I was going to NYC in '64-'65, and he opened all the doors. It was "Mad Men" as it happened! Dinning with all the big agency people..amazing..legal to drink at 18! Fool in a Fool's Paradise. Dick B. was in Cherry Hills right outside of Philly ("On top of my pizza all covered with cheese..with lots of hot pepper to make me sneeze!")..I'd have added Fred Winston and John "Records" Landecker in that August group..but Cousin Brucie was nice to me..he's the man in my book.

What did you mean "Dick B was in Cherry Hills right outside of Philly?" As far as I know Biondi never worked in Philly.

 

[jfrancispastirchak]

I'll have to say Cousin Bruce Morrow. I visited him at WABC (Avenue Of The Americas) when Rick Sklar was PD. They both allowed me into the studio as my GM (Ace Lloyd) at KRYS in Corpus Christi heard I was going to NYC in '64-'65, and he opened all the doors. It was "Mad Men" as it happened! Dinning with all the big agency people..amazing..legal to drink at 18! Fool in a Fool's Paradise. Dick B. was in Cherry Hills right outside of Philly ("On top of my pizza all covered with cheese..with lots of hot pepper to make me sneeze!")..I'd have added Fred Winston and John "Records" Landecker in that August group..but Cousin Brucie was nice to me..he's the man in my book.

What did you mean "Dick B was in Cherry Hills right outside of Philly?" As far as I know Biondi never worked in Philly.

Wondering the same thing myself.

 

[Fenway1912]

Here is a clip from 'To Tell The Truth' from the late 60's. Look who one of the imposters was ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FieyQDtEiyg

 

[howardm]

I'll have to say Cousin Bruce Morrow. I visited him at WABC (Avenue Of The Americas) when Rick Sklar was PD. They both allowed me into the studio as my GM (Ace Lloyd) at KRYS in Corpus Christi heard I was going to NYC in '64-'65, and he opened all the doors. It was "Mad Men" as it happened! Dinning with all the big agency people..amazing..legal to drink at 18! Fool in a Fool's Paradise. Dick B. was in Cherry Hills right outside of Philly ("On top of my pizza all covered with cheese..with lots of hot pepper to make me sneeze!")..I'd have added Fred Winston and John "Records" Landecker in that August group..but Cousin Brucie was nice to me..he's the man in my book.

What did you mean "Dick B was in Cherry Hills right outside of Philly?" As far as I know Biondi never worked in Philly.

Biondi's career traversed Youngstown, OH, WKBW Buffalo, WLS, an LA station, WCFL, like WLS in Chicago and a small Carolina station, don't know about Cherry Hill station.

 

[radioman148]

Here is a clip from 'To Tell The Truth' from the late 60's. Look who one of the imposters was ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FieyQDtEiyg

Never saw that one before. That's great!

 

[radioman148]

I'll have to say Cousin Bruce Morrow. I visited him at WABC (Avenue Of The Americas) when Rick Sklar was PD. They both allowed me into the studio as my GM (Ace Lloyd) at KRYS in Corpus Christi heard I was going to NYC in '64-'65, and he opened all the doors. It was "Mad Men" as it happened! Dinning with all the big agency people..amazing..legal to drink at 18! Fool in a Fool's Paradise. Dick B. was in Cherry Hills right outside of Philly ("On top of my pizza all covered with cheese..with lots of hot pepper to make me sneeze!")..I'd have added Fred Winston and John "Records" Landecker in that August group..but Cousin Brucie was nice to me..he's the man in my book.

What did you mean "Dick B was in Cherry Hills right outside of Philly?" As far as I know Biondi never worked in Philly.

Biondi's career traversed Youngstown, OH, WKBW Buffalo, WLS, an LA station, WCFL, like WLS in Chicago and a small Carolina station, don't know about Cherry Hill station.

A list of all the stations that Dick Biondi has worked at are listed here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Biondi