More! Detroit Radio DJs Scrapbook

Marilyn Bond Collection

 

WJBK - Clark Reid - 1956WJBK – Clark Reid – 1956

CKLW - Ron Knowles - 1957

 CKLW – Ron Knowles – 1957

CKLW - Eddie Chase - 1957

CKLW – Eddie Chase – 1957

WXYZ - Jack Sorrell - 1956

WXYZ – Jack Sorell – 1956

WJBK - Don McLeod - 1957

WJBK – Don McLeod – 1957

WKMH - Robin Seymour - 1956

WKMH – Robin Seymour – 1956

WJBK - Ed McKenzie - Early 50's

WJBK – Jack The Bellboy – Ed McKenzie – Early 50’s

WKNR - Swingin' Sweeney & Gary Stevens - April 25, 1998

Former WKNR D.J.’s – Swingin’ Sweeney & Gary Stevens – April 25, 1998

WJLB - Frantic Ernie Durham - 1956

WJLB – “Frantic” Ernie Durham – 1956

Ed McKenzie With Robin Seymour - Mid To Late 1950's

“Jack The Bellboy” Ed McKenzie with Robin Seymour – Mid To Late 1950’s

WJBK - Tom George - 1956

WJBK – Tom George – 1956

WXYZ - Paul Winter Studio - 1956

WXYZ – Paul Winter In Studio – 1956

WJLB - Ernie Durham - 1956

WJLB – “Frantic” Ernie Durham – 1956

Jackie Cooper & Dale Young - Detroit Bandstand - 1956

Detroit Bandstand – Host Dale Young with Jackie Cooper – 1956

WXYZ - Ed McKenzie - 1957

WXYZ – Ed McKenzie – 1957

WXYZ - Paul Winter

WXYZ – Paul Winter – 1956

WXYZ - Fred Wolf - 1956

WJBK – Unknown person & Fred Wolf – 1956

WJBK - Tom Clay - 1957

WJBK – Unknown Person & Tom Clay – 1957

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33 thoughts on “More! Detroit Radio DJs Scrapbook”

  1. I was Eddie Chases producer/engineer from 1957-59, at the Old Telenews theatre on Woodward.

    Love the oldpics….THANKS

    Jerry

    1. I am Eddie Chase’s oldest grandchild and having so much difficulty finding info about his days in Radio Broadcasting . Would love any info and pictures.

  2. Does anyone remember DJ Bob Murphy? He called himself “The tall boy in the third row.”

    1. Murph (Robert M. Murphy) was one of my best friends, ever. I had dinner with his son (Robert K. Murphy) two days ago, when he and his wife (Kate) visited on the way home to New York from the long-time Murphy family cottage at Black Lake, between Petoskey and Rogers City, Michigan. Murph (“TTBITBR”) is buried at the Black Lake Cemetery. He had four kids (two adopted): Tod, April, Adam and Robert K. You can reach his son, Robert K., at caliban2u@gmail.com and he can fill you in on his father’s background. RTF

  3. My favorite dj is Lee Alan. He is the person who got me listening to Frank Sinatra when I was 15 years old. My friends thought I was crazy. I’m still listening to Mr. Sinatra!

  4. Anybody remember what Don Zee, XYZ’s all night guy, used as his theme song ? I thought it had something to do with tarantulas……but I’ve slept since then.

  5. Ed McKenzie retired to his home town of Flushing, Michigan in the ’70’s. I met him when I was mayor. We had a large community meeting one Monday night with many speakers…the one final citizen got up to the mike and made some very profound statements about the issue that brought out so many people. I said to myself “I know that guy.” And I did. I remember him from growing up in Highland Park in the 1950’s first listening to him on the radio then watching him on tv. Later, I called him and said I was a great fan and would like to meet him. He said: “Certainly, come on over and I’ll fix you lunch.” I remember that he fixed fried eggplant. It was the beginning of a great friendship. He was a genius. He devoted his later life to making videos of his home town. In the credits of one he dedicated it to me. They are now in the archives of the Flint Public Library.
    None of the information I have read about him has mentioned the fact that he was strongly opposed to the “pay to play” and he blew the whistle (in life magazine) on those DJ’s who were paid to play records of certain production companies.
    He was a personal friend of artist Andrew Wyeth and he allowed me to read some of the personal correspondence between the two.
    Ed McKenzie was a gifted, talented man who I now consider to be one of the ten individuals who have had a significant impact on my life.

    1. I too knew Ed after he exposed “pay-to-play.” Ed and I were amateur radio friends… many projects… lots of fun. I helped Ed move when he left Bloomfield Hills… took down his tower, etc. I agree… Ed was a gifted and talented man. We remained in contact for several years even after I moved to Colorado. He suddenly stopped writing. I regret not knowing of his final days.

  6. My father, James Brinn, worked at WXZY form 1948 until about 1980 as an engineer. Through him I met many of these talents shown in your website.
    As a result, I became a personal friend of Ed McKenzie for many years.
    My father left many photos and articles from his era at channel 7 and I sent them to the station’s archive a couple of years ago.
    Thanks you for the memories.

    Richard Brinn

  7. Proud to have worked on the radio at WDRQ in Detroit during some of its best days. These were some great flashback photos of how the legacy of Detroit radio all began. As I traveled the country working in various markets I can’t count the number of times a program director or GM asked me where I was born and raised? I would proudly say Detroit and they would say they figured because they could tell I grew up listening to some great radio because of the way I sounded. They’d continue with something like “you had some great examples to listen to.” Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful documentary photos….

    1. You are great Kim! We are both from Detroit.,, Motown and relate to what you say here listening to great radio performers whom you and I both work in outstanding Michigan markets as Detroit & Grand Rapids; we made the big time! Remember, we are Legends too! Before Robin Sullivan passed , I said to him, “you know, when I was growing up I wanted to be just like him and as other great talents over radio” he says: “You are one of us!” ,,,, write a book and sign autographs, & try podcasting! Vic Lutes
      Radio Legend

  8. Does anyone remember a DJ by the name of Jerry Jackson that used to DJ at Ben’s High Chaparral and at the 20 grand if so would you please post a picture of him thank you

  9. Hello I’m interested in some information about a radio DJ Paul Childs of wchb radio from Monday through Friday he was on from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. and he also did a show called apology line I’m looking for the theme song to his show. Hopefully you can help me.

  10. Thank you for such a great archive of Detroit’s musical legacy. I was looking for any recordings of Gene Elsey programs. Any suggestions on where I can find some material?

    Thanks!

  11. Larry Dixon would come out to the race track in Northville and loved to talk about horses and Radio at my admission booth. I’d always let him in free because of his Great Motown stories some good and some not so good. It’s funny now but I stated to Larry as I have said so many times to so many others…Believe me I’ve broke richer men than you with my, “HOT TIPS”.

  12. Does anyone have any photos or airchecks of two of my favorites on WJR, Jukebox Johnny Russell or Tall Paul Dean?

  13. Anybody remember a Sandy, or Sanders/Sanderson that was a DJ in the Detroit area in the late 50’s, early 60’s? He lived off of 10 mile in the East Detroit area. My Dad had a friend that was a DJ but I can’t remember his exact name and he’s not around to ask anymore.

  14. You are great Kim! We are both from Detroit.,, Motown and relate to what you say here listening to great radio performers whom you and I both work in outstanding Michigan markets as Detroit & Grand Rapids; we made the big time! Remember, we are Legends too! Before Robin Sullivan passed , I said to him, “you know, when I was growing up I wanted to be just like him and as other great talents over radio” he says: “You are one of us!” ,,,, write a book and sign autographs, & try podcasting! Vic Lutes
    Radio Legend

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