WIFI/WNAR's Johnny Deveroux

[athegymtday]

Johnny Deveroux Anyone remember him? I worked at both stations on Sundays back in 1967. Johnny would take me along with him and use my records. WIFI was on Potshop Rd. Off of GTN Pike. WNAR (now WNAP)was on Old Arch Rd.
We would turn on the transmitter at WIFI I would help Polka Joe.
Those were the days. Mel Galop(sp) owned the place I believe the company was called High Fedality Broadcasting. The Station was sold in 1969 to GSC for a 1 Million. Mel thought he made out like a bandit.
Anyone know who was the engineer that also worked both stations?

 

[cyber]

If memory serves, the engineer was Craig Baker. Others on Hi-Fi at WIFI included Ron Diamond(Rock), and Buzz Allen(Dixieland Jazz). Mel Gallob(Mel Stewart) bought a station in San Jose after selling WIFI. Last I heard he was in Maryland. Craig Baker owns some small stations in Georgia.

 

[athegymtday]

Ahh yes Craig Baker you were so right. There was another guy on WIFI, I believe he was on after Ron Diamond. I think Ron signed off at 11:00 he called himself Do Vrini your hit spinning Jenie. Anyone know who that was? And do you remember unique technique. Only a WIFI listener would know.

 

[cyber]

I think my memory banks are shutting down.But, one thing I still recall that was kind of funny.......Polka Wars. The "rivalry" between Polka Joe at WIFI and Cousin Larry at WIBF.

 

[DaveWilliams]

Jack Layton was the engineer who also took care of WTEL. I had worked there briefly when GCC Communications from Boston took over. And Tony Bruno worked there for a while at the start of his career. Johnny Deveroux went into sales when GCC took over. The studios were later moved to 1 Decker Square in Bala Cynwyd, the transmitter was moved to Roxborough later on from Potshop Road.

 

[athegymtday]

I don't remember Polka wars, Cousin Larry was still at WNAR when Polka Joe had his Sunday morning show. I think Cousin Larry did a polka show during the weekend possibly on tape and did the morning drive calling it the cousin Larry's get up and go show. I'll bet half of the people reading this don't have any idea about this discussion.

 

[cyber]

Might as well stay in unfamilar territory a bit longer.
Cousin Larry (Molinaro??) ended up at WIBF. From what I can recall he was one of many "specialty" shows at 103.9 that included Spanish, Italian and Greek shows. All that mixed in with Big Band/Swing/Dixieland...C & W before the W disappeared and I don't remember what else.

 

[sharpes84]

Good afternoon all!
I am glad I found this site...
Iam looking for information on how or who to contact for information from the old WNAR days..
I am specifically looking for things related to when my Uncle Cuzzin Larry Molinaro was on the airwaves.I have had no luck and even contacted the new owner of the call letters.

Cuzzin Larry passed away last night and would love to get ahold of some audio for a tribute or montage.
Who would own these today do you think?
Are these archived or do you think destroyed?
please any leads[emails,address....]would be appreciated...
Hopefully one of the big business still have this archived..I believe High Fedality Broadcasting at one time.
Thank you in advance!!!!

 

[tedtaylor]

Who was Do Vrini?

Ahh yes Craig Baker you were so right. There was another guy on WIFI, I believe he was on after Ron Diamond. I think Ron signed off at 11:00 he called himself Do Vrini your hit spinning Jenie. Anyone know who that was? And do you remember unique technique. Only a WIFI listener would know.

Do Vrini was Ralph McKee. He often engineered my Friday and Saturday night shows. Sometimes he'd do the show, my show, someone elses. It was fast and loose in those days.
- Ted Taylor "The Ultra T".