Sorry,this is for the old people here. Understand WLS is doing a Memorial Day flashback promo by bringing back Landecker,Lujack,and others for a reunion of sorts. WABC's playing old airchecks of some legends,too. We did this decades ago in Starkville,putting shout out liners from WSSO dj's of the past on the air and playing old jingles and such.(A creative salesguy even sold some Memorial Day package$.) Not the same scale as Chicago or New York,I know,but it was fun to listen to. Anyway,gives the listener something else on a holiday. Anybody doing anything special on air for Monday?
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WLS Rewind
- Thread starter tzbarber
- Start date
Hi Terry, we're having a telethon to raise money for the half way house downtown(for women who don't like to go all the way)and also getting donations to restock the virgin islands(hear supply is short)ha..Have yourself a good Holiday weekend.But seriously that 89 rewind last year was great.Had dinner with Lyle Dean when his huge yacht docked here in C town on the tenn tom.As you remember he was a newsman (Lord what pipes)on the Big 89 years ago.Just a darn nice gentleman,too..Hope all is well you way TZ.
tzbarber said:Anybody doing anything special on air for Monday?
Lord willing, I'm doing something special by NOT being on the air Monday.
Thanks Oldies,but this is Tim,so I'll pass the greetings on to Terry.oldiesstation said:Hi Terry, we're having a telethon to raise money for the half way house downtown(for women who don't like to go all the way)and also getting donations to restock the virgin islands(hear supply is short)ha..Have yourself a good Holiday weekend.But seriously that 89 rewind last year was great.Had dinner with Lyle Dean when his huge yacht docked here in C town on the tenn tom.As you remember he was a newsman (Lord what pipes)on the Big 89 years ago.Just a darn nice gentleman,too..Hope all is well you way TZ.
I see that the big 89 lineup includes some who didn't make it the first time around, like one of my favorites from the early 70's, Bill Bailey. There is a great story out there about Bill's demise on WLS. With apologies to the facts, this gist of the story is that one of the former jocks, who went across river to WCFL, came by to see Bill while he was on the air. At the time, WLS was giving away those little styrofoam balls that you put on your antenna, and Bill was going to sneak into the PD's office and filch one for his friend. To get into the PD's office required climbing out the window onto a ledge 5 stories above Michigan Avenue, and going in the PD's unlocked window. Bill was discovered in the act by a security guard, and he was history.
I went to Chicago on vacation last summer, and was almost run over trying to cross Michigan Avenue while looking at the old WLS building (they are no longer there). I was amazed to see how close physically they were to the WCFL studios, literally across the Chicago river from each other. On the way out of town, I made a pilgrimage to Tinley Park, IL, to the WLS transmitter site. As luck would have it (better than my usual luck, that is), the gates were open, and the chief engineer showed me around the building. He said the tower dated back to the 30's, and was there when they broadcast the crashing of the Hindenburg. It was a half-wave tower, so it was quite tall. As a matter of fact, too tall, because it was built when the station was on 870, so the half-wave was longer than an 890 Khz half wave.
I went to Chicago on vacation last summer, and was almost run over trying to cross Michigan Avenue while looking at the old WLS building (they are no longer there). I was amazed to see how close physically they were to the WCFL studios, literally across the Chicago river from each other. On the way out of town, I made a pilgrimage to Tinley Park, IL, to the WLS transmitter site. As luck would have it (better than my usual luck, that is), the gates were open, and the chief engineer showed me around the building. He said the tower dated back to the 30's, and was there when they broadcast the crashing of the Hindenburg. It was a half-wave tower, so it was quite tall. As a matter of fact, too tall, because it was built when the station was on 870, so the half-wave was longer than an 890 Khz half wave.
Hey Rob, was that 'LS chief named Warren Shulz? Now and then when some engineer really gets in the weeds trying to fix an oddball problem on a big AM, Warren will pop up on an engineering list with a "aw, I've seen that a million times, here's what you do". Nice to know the old hands are still out there working on the big rigs.
I visited the old Michigan Ave studios in the late 70's; got to ride in the elevator with Larry Lujack as he was getting off his morning show. He looked just like you would expect a rock-jock who had moved to mornings to look at that hour ... ba-a-a-ad, in both ways that word can be used. He was slumped against the elevator wall like he would pass out at any second, but as he glared at me his eyes spit fire with the message "yeah, here's another punk who thinks he could ever do what I do". Great memory that's stuck with me.
I visited the old Michigan Ave studios in the late 70's; got to ride in the elevator with Larry Lujack as he was getting off his morning show. He looked just like you would expect a rock-jock who had moved to mornings to look at that hour ... ba-a-a-ad, in both ways that word can be used. He was slumped against the elevator wall like he would pass out at any second, but as he glared at me his eyes spit fire with the message "yeah, here's another punk who thinks he could ever do what I do". Great memory that's stuck with me.
Rob,maybe its because of Memorial Day,but your story about Bill Bailey and Chicago reminds me of our own John Boogie Bailey's stint in Chicago. Dude had some pipes,didn't he?robgrayson said:I see that the big 89 lineup includes some who didn't make it the first time around, like one of my favorites from the early 70's, Bill Bailey. There is a great story out there about Bill's demise on WLS. With apologies to the facts, this gist of the story is that one of the former jocks, who went across river to WCFL, came by to see Bill while he was on the air. At the time, WLS was giving away those little styrofoam balls that you put on your antenna, and Bill was going to sneak into the PD's office and filch one for his friend. To get into the PD's office required climbing out the window onto a ledge 5 stories above Michigan Avenue, and going in the PD's unlocked window. Bill was discovered in the act by a security guard, and he was history.
I went to Chicago on vacation last summer, and was almost run over trying to cross Michigan Avenue while looking at the old WLS building (they are no longer there). I was amazed to see how close physically they were to the WCFL studios, literally across the Chicago river from each other. On the way out of town, I made a pilgrimage to Tinley Park, IL, to the WLS transmitter site. As luck would have it (better than my usual luck, that is), the gates were open, and the chief engineer showed me around the building. He said the tower dated back to the 30's, and was there when they broadcast the crashing of the Hindenburg. It was a half-wave tower, so it was quite tall. As a matter of fact, too tall, because it was built when the station was on 870, so the half-wave was longer than an 890 Khz half wave.
Bless his heart! Between John Bailey and Larry Blakeney, half the day WKOR sounded like a promo vo factory! Sorta like now, when stations go jockless, and all you hear are big-voice position-liner guys between songs.
Something creepy about this thread. I ran across the Chicago board just now,and there's a thread about the "89 rewind". The guy's name that started it is "TimB". Now, if I find out he's got a younger brother in the biz(that still has his old 45's,btw), I'm starting the Twilight Zone soundtrack.
Is anyone listening? If you want to hear how badly radio has deteriorated, WLS is doing their best to put it on display.
Will someone please explain to me how and why with all of this expensive super duper fancy schmancy digital equipment, a 50 KW Network O&O (well, sorta) in Market #3 can sound so sloppy??? Dead air between spots and the ends cut off??? WLS and all of the other Top 40 stations NEVER sounded sloppy like that in the good ole days of manually fired analog carts! And 35 years later this is supposed to be better?
Also, it is so pathetic to hear almost all local spots on the big flamethrower. Not only that, it sounds like they only have one production guy because his voice is on nearly every spot, sometimes back to back in a set. Granted, he does have a superior voice, but it sounds so small market to have the same voice on every spot, no matter how good he sounds. If you have been listening, a number of the same local spots have been running, which also sounds so small market. I was used to that when I worked at "dollar a hollar" stations in the little county seats, but on WLS??? What happened to the big national accounts we used to hear on stations like WLS? I haven't even heard a national car spot.
I hate to say it, but this has been a real sad ear-opener as to how bad the industry has become.
Will someone please explain to me how and why with all of this expensive super duper fancy schmancy digital equipment, a 50 KW Network O&O (well, sorta) in Market #3 can sound so sloppy??? Dead air between spots and the ends cut off??? WLS and all of the other Top 40 stations NEVER sounded sloppy like that in the good ole days of manually fired analog carts! And 35 years later this is supposed to be better?
Also, it is so pathetic to hear almost all local spots on the big flamethrower. Not only that, it sounds like they only have one production guy because his voice is on nearly every spot, sometimes back to back in a set. Granted, he does have a superior voice, but it sounds so small market to have the same voice on every spot, no matter how good he sounds. If you have been listening, a number of the same local spots have been running, which also sounds so small market. I was used to that when I worked at "dollar a hollar" stations in the little county seats, but on WLS??? What happened to the big national accounts we used to hear on stations like WLS? I haven't even heard a national car spot.
I hate to say it, but this has been a real sad ear-opener as to how bad the industry has become.
B
bobrall
Guest
The WABC rewind was a little chunky on line, as well. Blame SAG/AFTRA and their Internet contracts.
Union contracts have had some unusual stipulations for a long time....
WLS, in the early top 40 days, still had to have a musician's union member starting the
turntables. ABC Radio in New York had a director, in addition to engineer and announcer for
each network newscast. The director would point at the news reader when it was time to
talk. That was all. When I first went to WABB, an engineer had to handle all production. We could run our own board on air..but the engineer had to handle the production room.
I sat in the control room at 77WABC with Dan Ingram a couple of times.
He and his engineer were in the same room...across the console from each other. Dan would had him the songs on cart.
The monitor was phased to stay on and not feed back. The jock/engineer team was much like a golfer/caddie relationship. Ingram's engineer knew instinctively what he wanted to do next.
I ran into Howard Cosell in the hallway. Howard did a five minute morning sports thing on ABC which we carried on RBC. The page asked Cosell, " Do you have a minute to meet our GM in Jackson, MS."
Howard said, "No" and kept walking. Sorta smiled, though.
I remember planning vacations around the radio stations I wanted to see. I guess it all started in 1959 sitting around WNOE late at night with Herb Holiday in the old St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans...WHBQ at the Chisca Hotel in Memphis with Jack Parnell. Wink Martindale left WHBQ about that time for LA.
God, I just realized...I'm older than FM Radio. How about you J Boyd and Barber?
Union contracts have had some unusual stipulations for a long time....
WLS, in the early top 40 days, still had to have a musician's union member starting the
turntables. ABC Radio in New York had a director, in addition to engineer and announcer for
each network newscast. The director would point at the news reader when it was time to
talk. That was all. When I first went to WABB, an engineer had to handle all production. We could run our own board on air..but the engineer had to handle the production room.
I sat in the control room at 77WABC with Dan Ingram a couple of times.
He and his engineer were in the same room...across the console from each other. Dan would had him the songs on cart.
The monitor was phased to stay on and not feed back. The jock/engineer team was much like a golfer/caddie relationship. Ingram's engineer knew instinctively what he wanted to do next.
I ran into Howard Cosell in the hallway. Howard did a five minute morning sports thing on ABC which we carried on RBC. The page asked Cosell, " Do you have a minute to meet our GM in Jackson, MS."
Howard said, "No" and kept walking. Sorta smiled, though.
I remember planning vacations around the radio stations I wanted to see. I guess it all started in 1959 sitting around WNOE late at night with Herb Holiday in the old St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans...WHBQ at the Chisca Hotel in Memphis with Jack Parnell. Wink Martindale left WHBQ about that time for LA.
God, I just realized...I'm older than FM Radio. How about you J Boyd and Barber?
I still get to record sessions with Mr. Parnell, who is still great of voice. You know, Chris Parnell, who was on Saturday Night Live is Jack's son.
TZ...not quite...but at least 15 Mississippi fm stations can trace their existence to early
engineering work by our firm...those were the days...no filing fees, no auctions and basically very little interest...talking about 1965-1974...after that, Katie
bar the door...but most good frequencies had been consumed by the early believers. Once something becomes a sure bet...all bets are off! JBI
engineering work by our firm...those were the days...no filing fees, no auctions and basically very little interest...talking about 1965-1974...after that, Katie
bar the door...but most good frequencies had been consumed by the early believers. Once something becomes a sure bet...all bets are off! JBI
B
bobrall
Guest
\tzbarber said:I thought JB invented FM radio,at least in Mississippi! Hey Bob,congrats on your wedding. Next time you're on vacation you're welcome to visit me and Mr. Magoo at the spacious and opulent Odyssey Suites for a tour.
Thanks...great wedding The traditional Episocopal service with Communion...lot's of music by our really good St. Philip/s choir .. and a good party after. Sergio played the tunes. My Bride's son is a chef in NYC and he came down and put together an amazing spread of food..had some beer and wine and some softdrinks for we retired drinkers and designated drivers. Had a good time.
Do want to come by and see. Haven't in your studios in a couple of years..way before JNT moved into classy digs.
J
jwilliams22
Guest
what?!?!?!
I must be under a rock? When did you tie the knot bob?
I must be under a rock? When did you tie the knot bob?
B
bobrall
Guest
You've only been under the rock a little while...
last Friday evening. (23rd)
last Friday evening. (23rd)
J
jwilliams22
Guest
gotcha. well belated congrats either way.
Hell it only took ya 200 years to do it agian. ;D
Hell it only took ya 200 years to do it agian. ;D
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