NEW: ST. PATRICK’S DAY! J. P. McCARTHY ON WJR 760 RADIO, MARCH 17, 1993

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For over 30 years, legendary morning radio personality Joseph Priestley McCarthy broadcast his #1 rated show on WJR-760 in Detroit. “J.P.” regularly interviewed heads of states, world leaders, government officials, corporate figures, champions of sports, entertainment luminaries, and dedicated listeners, highlighting his storied broadcasting career in the Motor City.

One day short of 51 months having passed after this broadcast first aired, J.P. passed away on August 16, 1995.

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NEW! A special THANK YOU to our friend, Jim Nuznoff, of Port Charlotte, Florida, for this recent contribution to our Motor City Radio Flashbacks airchecks repository. Thanks again, Jim, we are grateful for your generosity and your support for this site, always.

Jim writes (January 9, 2024) — “March 17, 1993. J. P. McCarthy Show featuring a remote broadcast on St. Patrick’s Day, live, from the Pegasus Restaurant in Detroit. This was a somewhat, somber show, according to the news you will hear in the audio. For it was also the time when Detroit area restaurant owner Chuck Muir (along with his wife) was reported missing aboard his sailboat during a storm in the Bahamas, and auto dealership owner and long-time friends, George and Lynn Drummey (of Drummey Olds) both were on board as well. I don’t think they were ever found.”

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Newly restored! This selected audio recording was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

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NEW! FOR THE ARCHIVE: WKQI [Q955] ON THE RADIO: ROY STEPHENS!

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NEW! A special THANK YOU to Roy Stephens for another WKQI aircheck contribution for the Motor City Radio Flashbacks repository. Thanks for sharing your Q955 memories!

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Newly restored! This audio recording was digitally enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

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PROGRAMMING: THE DETROIT AM RADIO DIAL. THURSDAY RADIO, MARCH 14, 1963

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Above Thursday Radio courtesy freep.com newspapers archives. Copyright 2024; Newspapers.com

The above featured Detroit radio guide was clipped, saved, and digitally re-imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

ON YOUR PC? To fully appreciate this Thursday Radio guide from March 14, 1963 click on image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.

 

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WXYZ RADIO 1270! NOVEMBER 9, 1960 [The Detroit Free Press] DETROIT RADIO BACK-PAGE AD

Detroit Free Press Wednesday, November 9, 1960

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This article/advertisement courtesy freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2024. Newspapers.com

Printed in black and white, the featured Detroit Free Press ad was digitally re-imaged, colorized, and was entirely restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

Missed any of our previous ‘Detroit Radio Back-Pages‘ features? GO HERE

MCRFB Note: Special THANKS to our friend, John Bartony (a.k.a. Jukebox John) St. Clair Shores, Michigan, for providing the above Detroit Free Press WXYZ 1270 ad (November 1960) for this site, as featured today.

A special thank you to senior MCRFB consultant Greg Innis, of Livonia, MI., for contributing the Newspapers.com archives (Detroit radio related) articles, ads, and images we have provide for this site since 2016.

Thank you, Greg Innis, for making these historic Detroit radio features possible. 🙂

ON YOUR PC? You can read this entire newsprint article/ad — the fine print — ENLARGED. For a larger detailed view click above image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.

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WKNR KEENER 13! JANUARY 26 and 28, 1965 [Detroit Free Press] RADIO BACK-PAGE ADS

Detroit Free Press Tuesday, January 26, 1965

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These article/advertisement courtesy freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2024. Newspapers.com

Printed in black and white, the two featured Detroit Free Press ads was digitally re-imaged, colorized, and was entirely restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

Missed any of our previous ‘Detroit Radio Back-Pages‘ features? GO HERE

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Hey do you remember the Think Summer campaign Keener launched in Detroit in the winter of 1965?

Well, let’s see . . . .  I can still see those Think Summer newspaper ads. And there were those Think Summer button giveaways. There was also a Think Summer contest as well. Recall seeing a few of those Think Summer billboards WKNR posted around town. And then there was that one Think Summer song, yeah . . . that was playing on the radio, on Keener 13!

According to the WKNR music guides posted on Keener13.com, Think Summer by Susan Wayne debuted during the week of February 18, 1965. But by the time Think Summer peaked at the No. 25 spot on WKNR, March 3, 1965, thereafter, that would be it . . . just three weeks on the Keener 13 playlists in short order.

But that was enough for WKNR to generate an imaginary kind of ‘mirage,’ if you will, a brief winter’s thaw we must have felt, at least momentarily, during the station’s contest they off-loaded with that one, huge “summertime” give-a-way at the time.  If all else, the Think Summer event became the ultimate radio event during that cold winter here in Detroit, 59-years ago.

Straight from the Keener vaults, and courtesy of WKNR legend, Bob Green. We are showcasing two of those WKNR Think Summer promos (audio under each ad). All from that memorable winter’s brief “summer-time fun” contestants cashed in on while listening to Keener 13 during those two winter months in early-1965.

And at date, we are just nine days away from spring, so . . . .

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A MCRFB Note: This attached post was previously published on this site on January 29, 2012.

All audio featured on this page was digitally remastered by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

Audio digitally enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

Detroit Free Press Thursday, January 28, 1965

A special THANK YOU to WKNR’s Bob Green, of Austin, TX., for having contributing the featured WKNR promos presented today, on this page.

Thanks again, Bob Green, for sharing with us these wonderful, Keener 13 memories!

A special thank you to senior MCRFB consultant Greg Innis, of Livonia, MI., for contributing the Newspapers.com archives (Detroit radio related) articles, ads, and images we have provide for this site since 2016.

Thank you, Greg Innis, for making these historic Detroit radio features possible. 🙂

ON YOUR PC? You can read this entire newsprint article/ad — the fine print — ENLARGED. For a larger detailed view click above image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.

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ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE? Tap on newsprint image. Open to second window. “Stretch” image across your device screen to magnify for largest print view.

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MONKEES THE TOP BANANA GLOBALLY . . . FEBRUARY 11, 1967

Hot Popularity Fuels Monkees’ Recordings Across Europe and Beyond

 

 

NEW YORK — The Monkees are swinging to the top on a global scale. Their Colgems releases, which are distributed by RCA Victor, are following the phenomenal sales pattern set in the U. S. in such foreign countries as England, Holland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Germany Canada, Japan, Australia and the Philippines.

In the U.S., the Monkees’ two album releases, “More Of The Monkees” and “The Monkees,” which holds the one and two spots in Billboard’s best-selling popular LP chart this week, have sold in excess of three million copies. Their two single releases, “Last Train To Clarksville” and “I’m A Believer,” have sold more than 5,000,000 copies.

In England, “I’m A Believer,” has passed the 600,000 sales mark, and their first album, “Monkees,” is selling at a fast-sales clip. The first single release, “Last Train To Clarksville,” which failed to stimulate much interest in its initial round, is now beginning to perk up in sales.

“I’m A Believer” is No. 1 in Holland and Sweden; in the Top 10 in Belgium and Norway; a run-away seller in Canada; in the Top 10 in Japan and Australia, and starting to move up in Germany and the Philippines.

Victor also reports that the Stereo-8 version of the Monkees LP is a fast moving item, and that “More Of The Monkees” is scheduled for Stereo-8 cartridge release later this month. END

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Information, credit, and news source: Billboard; February 11, 1967

The Monkees, 1966 (Credit: Keystone/Getty Images)

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HAVEN’T YOU HEARD? KEVIN WILLETT’S INTERNET STREAMER, ‘HUGGER RADIO’!

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Kevin Willett Key Man of Music Radio Productions

There’s a brand new music radio station streaming on the internet. And you will note immediately it’s a little different from those others stations you might have heard. Take a listen here. It’s a refreshingly new sound. And now streaming, 24/7!

Oh, would you like to hear some of the very best in ’80s music?  Look no further, thanks to the all-new LIVE Boston Rob Show. Beginning at 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time, every Sunday night. Something special from that decade for great top 40 music you’d like to hear? No problem. Let Rob know and he’ll do his best to get it on for you. Boston Rob also can also be heard on late-Monday nights, 11:00 p.m. Two great shows, by the way!

That’s Hugger Radio. Created and produced by our very good friend, Kevin Willett. Another fabulous Key Man of Music Radio Production. Go there. And give it a good, tuning in . . . today!

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McKENZIE BOWS OUT IN ‘FORMULA RADIO’ PROTEST . . . MARCH 16, 1959

Radio Veteran No Longer Finds Place Nor Pleasure on the Dial at 1270

 

 

DETROIT — Veteran deejay Ed McKenzie resigned from station WXYZ here last week in protest of the station’s “formula radio” programming policy.

Detroit radio’s two biggest names, Ed McKenzie, Robin Seymour in the late-1950s.

Rallying to McKenzie’s side was his long-time competitor and another veteran Detroit spinner, Robin Seymour, of WKMH who came out strongly last week for McKenzie and against “formula radio.” Seymour stated: “It’s a crime and a shame when one of the true deejays – one of the men who made the jockey a major factor in broadcasting – has to bow to the dictates of a program director.”

Although Seymour and McKenzie – two of Detroit’s key deejays – have vied for audience ratings for the past 11 years (they occupied the same afternoon time slot) Seymour said they have remained friends — their friendship dating back to the time McKenzie gave Seymour his first radio job at WJBK here.

Seymour has asked McKenzie to appear on his WKMH show this week to discuss the whole formula radio situation and his reasons for leaving WXYZ. Seymour said they will explore the jockey’s need for freedom of programming and speculate on whether the advent of “formula radio” has anything to do with the fact that no new name deejay (other than Dick Clark) has come up from the ranks in recent years.

Seymour said his station, WKMH, is now the only major Detroit station operating on a non-formula programming policy. The outlet did adopt a non – rock and roll format last year, but Seymour said the management dropped the policy last January, and pert record programming back in the deejays’ hands. As a result, the jock said WKMH’s ratings are already showing a small rating climb – the first rating increase for the station in some time.

The WXYZ “formula,” (featuring the Top 40 singles) was adopted by the station about a year ago, and WXYZ vice president in charge of radio, Hal Neal opined “Our interpretation of formula radio is that it is a step forward.”

Ed McKenzie on WXYZ circa 1955

McKenzie on the other hand expressed his opinion that this “formula” did not jibe with his interpretation of radio as “being intimate and friendly.” He stated that his ratings were dropping since the “formula policy” has gone into effect and that he would sooner “dig ditches or sell hot dogs” than go back to formula radio because “I can’t do something I don’t believe in.”

The radio station disagreed with McKenzie’s use of bird calls on the air and his “on the air” comment on office typing and the programming. The station also found themselves in disagreement with McKenzie about their new policy to boost the station on his programs, which the jockey termed `unnecessary.”

McKenzie’s 3 p.m. to 6.15 p.m. spot is being taken over by Mickey Shorr, who will have another replacement for his own Night Train program. Reportedly making between $60,000 and $80,000 a year in his 29th year with radio. McKenzie was Jack the Bellboy at WJBK before he changed to WXYZ radio in 1952. END

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Information, credit and news source: Billboard, March 16, 1959

Ella Fitzgerald guests on WXYZ with Ed McKenzie, circa 1954.

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RADIO’S STEREO FM’S HOTTEST MARKETS IN U.S., ’63 . . . JUNE 29, 1963

Projected One Million Stereo FM Receivers Will Be Sold, 1963 

 

 

NEW YORK — FM STEREO’S HOTTEST MARKETS. One million stereo receivers will be sold this year. Not bad for for a medium which celebrated it’s second birthday this month.

A 1963 Philco AM-FM table radio.

About 730,000 of the anticipated 1.4 million American-made radio-phonographs will be equipped for FM stereo reception; another 130,000 of 280,000 TV-radio-phonograph combinations will have it. Add at least another 100,000 for table-model FM stereo radios and FM-stereo equipped imports of various types, plus another 50,000 or so component tuners, and you have well over a million sets going to the public this year.  (The radio-photo and TV-radio-phono estimates were made by the Electronics Industries Association; other estimates tabulated by Billboard).

FM stereo is a valuable adjunct to a phonograph. It vastly increases the consumer’s enjoyment — and the dealer’s profits. It can be sold easily with a good demonstration. The same is true of FM stereo table radio.

THERE ARE NOW 228 FM stereo stations in the U.S., and about 10 in Canada. FM stereo can truly be called a nationwide medium today. The American stations are located in 209 cities in 44 States plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. FM stereo signals can be received in every one of the top 50 U. S. metropolitan market areas — and in many, many less populated areas.

FM stereo is far hotter in some areas than others, of course. In these “hot” areas, every radio-phono sold should contain FM stereo. FM listeners are subject to a constant barrage of FM-stereo talk on their favorite stations, and this talk can be converted to sales with a little effort.

These are FM stereo’s hottest cities (not necessarily in order): Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Houston, Seattle. Each one of these cities has at least 5 FM stations broadcasting in stereo. Detroit has six. Los Angeles and Seattle will soon add their sixth. San Francisco, long reputed to be the hottest FM-stereo town of all, probably deserves this reputation. With five stations already broadcasting in stereo, three more have purchased stereocasting equipment and presumably will soon begin stereo, to make San Francisco the nation’s first eight-stereo-station city.

The second-hottest group of stereo cities (in order of number of stereocasting stations) consists of San Diego, Miami (with a fifth station due to begin soon), Boston, Dallas-Ft. Worth also expecting No. 5 on the air soon). Each of these cities currently has four FM stereo program sources.

Three-stereo-stations areas are Washington; Minneapolis-St. Paul; Cleveland; Eugene-Springfield, Oregon; Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

There are at least 18 cities where listeners have a choice of two FM stereo stations. Geographically, they’re scattered from border-to-border and coast-to-coast. They are Phoenix, Birmingham, Fresno and Sacramento, California; Atlanta; Honolulu; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Grand Rapids, Michigan; New York; St. Louis; Greensboro, North Carolina; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; Portland, Oregon; Pittsburgh, Providence, Norfolk, Nashville.

There’s no particular pattern of geographic location or city size in the spread of FM stereo. In many cases, a good, well-operated FM stereo station (such as San Francisco’s KPEN) will build an audience and inspire its competitors to “go stereo.”

A typical home entertainment unit, FM stereo phonograph console, 1963.

NEW YORK, YOU WILL NOTE, is rather far down on the list. The city has never been a trail-blazing town in home entertainment. New York’s FM stereo boom may come soon, however, as at least three more stations are preparing to start stereocasting. For serious music lovers, who are now served with some stereo by WQXR-FM, there will be New York’s municipal station WNYC-FM, which hopes to eventually stereocast all of its live concert broadcasts, and ABC’s WABC-FM, which will program separately from its AM affiliate, presumably serious music. For those who prefer lighter music, the popular WPAT-FM will supplement WTFM. now programming stereo 24 hours daily.

NEXT STEREO CITIES. Between 50 and 75 more FM stations will begin stereocasting between now and the end of 1963. These are expected to open up more new markets for stereo equipment sales.

Among the upcoming new FM stereo market areas where stations are now equipping themselves to start stereo broadcasting: Mobile, Alabama; Tucson, Arizona; Boulder, Colorado; Columbus, Georgia; Boise, Idaho; Champaign, Illinois; Louisville; St. Joseph, Missouri; Los Alamos, New Mexico; Dover, Springfield, and Toledo, Ohio; Warren and York, Pennsylvania; Seneca, South Carolina; Greenville, Johnson City and Lebanon, Tennessee; Lubbock and Midland, Texas; Bellingham, Washington; Eau Claire, Green Bay and Wausau, Wisconsin; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Aguadilla and Isabele, Puerto Rico.

If your business is located in or near any of these cities, its not too early to prepare for the advent of FM stereo. Your customers should be told that FM stereo is coming, and advised to be ready for it. You should be ready for it, too., with an  adequate supply of FM-stereo-equipped instruments., and armed with knowledge of what it’s all about. END

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Information, credit and news source: Billboard, June 29, 1963

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BILL GAVIN REPORT | DJ’s MORAL FORCE IN COMMUNITY . . . DECEMBER 21, 1963

The Bill Gavin Newsletter / December 21, 1963

 

 

By BILL GAVIN
Billboard Contributing Editor

 

DURING THE DAYS that followed President Kennedy’s death, I was privileged to talk with many people in radio, in many different cities. Without exception, they expressed shock, grief and even shame that such a thing could happen in the United States of America. Many spoke with pride of the manner in which their stations responded to the tragic events and of the loyal, unselfish cooperation of their program staffs.

All stations, of course, abandoned their regular formats of popular records, substituting different kinds of serious music. All advertising was canceled until the morning of Tuesday, November 26. Even after that date, many stations were cautiously slow in returning to their full complement of current hit records. In a few cases, it was reported that even though the regular playlist was once more in effect, disk jockeys simply would not program the more raucous sounds. The entire response of American radio during those difficult days was a mark of innate good taste and respect for listeners’ feelings on the part of radio people.

WJBK RADIO 15 RECORD REVIEW November 29, 1963

THE QUESTION has been asked by many – and answered by none: Will the sobering reflections of our national tragedy bring about a new trend in programming? Some things are fairly certain: shock wears off; memories of sorrow grow dim; time erodes the sharp edges of a newly aroused national con- science. It is a part of living that there should be music and laughter and entertainment. No one would want it otherwise. Radio Influences youth network television, and radio is doing an excellent job of presenting and explaining the world’s problems and our concern with them.

Unfortunately, very little of the networks’ news and commentaries ever reach the school age population. The majority of the teens and pre-teens prefers listening to pop radio. Pop records are its entertainment and disk jockeys are its heroes.

Manhattan New Yorkers listening in to the news out of Dallas from an open car’s radio. Friday afternoon, November 22, 1963.

THERE ARE DISK JOCKEYS who claim to “identify” with teenagers. What some of them mean is that they accept and condone teen attitudes and behavior: What is implied is often the disk jockey’s apparent approval of the lowest common denominator of juvenile morality. The radio jock is the acknowledged leader in the field of records for youth; he too often neglects his opportunities to lead in the direction of more enduring values. Many radio stations, with their well -publicized “personalities,” are held in far higher esteem by their young listeners than are their schools, their churches, or even their homes.

It is time, I think, for such prestige to be used to reinforce, rather than to ignore, the basic values of human living. Isn’t it time that radio stood for something besides competition and profit?

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A MCRFB Note: You can click over image(s) 2x for expanded, detailed PC view. Or tap over and “stretch” images across your mobile device’s screen for digitized view.

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Information, credit and news source (as published): Billboard  December 21, 1963

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