REEL TOP 40 RADIO REPOSITORY
Ed Brouder of Man from Mars Productions
started taping local radio stations in the 1960's. He was --
and is -- most interested in airchecks from WDRC and WPOP (Hartford, Ct.). In January of 2000, Ed launched his WDRC Oldie But Goodie site.
Ed's own broadcast career began in 1972. Early on he spent a summer
ringing Nutmeg State doorbells looking for candy bars from the M&M/Mars company for a WDRC promotion.
When he's not dubbing airchecks, he can be found producing commercials and radio documentaries like the one which earned a prestigious George Foster Peabody Award in 1976 for WGIR Manchester, New Hampshire.
Today, Ed keeps his hand in radio part time. He is heard five days a week as morning drive news editor at AM 1370 WFEA and traffic reporter on 95.7 WZID in Manchester, N.H.
[Descriptions by Ed Brouder unless otherwise indicated]
... this year, it is being threatened by Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris ...
... We've been talkin' about the news for the last couple of moments, whaddaya say we turn it on, here ...
... It's Grand in the Land - W B Z ...
His career included stops at WCAU Philadelphia, WHN, WNEW and WYNY New York, and KMOX St. Louis. His last work was hosting his talk show in the St. Louis market in early 2000.
Bradley passed away June 22, 2013 in Lake St. Louis, Missouri. He was 79.
... Alright Charlie, toss him out of the front door then if he's got such a
big name ...
[Description by Ed Brouder]
Watching Landry work must have been a treat. As a tune was spinning, he would
record half a conversation using a character voice through the audition channel
of the console. The engineer would rewind it and wait for a cue. Then, Landry
did the other half of the conversation in his own voice, live. His timing and
use of sound effects was superb.
During his last year at Big D, Ron also hosted "Scene 18". a weekly
Bandstand-type show on a local TV station.
On this morning, Landry decides to get a shave down at the WDRC Barber Shop. Note the mention of engineer Wayne Mulligan, who is WDRC's current
Vice President and General Manager.
...
people used to ask me if that's a girl on that record - no, that's a needle on that record, friends, that's the only way we can play 'em
...
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
Like Charlie's 1969 aircheck, it's unlikely that this was recorded from
This is not the streamlined Dennison's-Driven Charlie heard in the 1969 aircheck. Here, he's heavy into
The contributed exhibit fidelity was exceptional for a 1965 aircheck from WABC. (This exhibit has been processed for online presentation.) It is nearly unbelievable to hear Dan Ingram reading copy similar to the PAMS Series 29 Go-Go demo opener. There are lots of authentic PAMS jingles, but I do suspect the opening spot for Children's Village was added after the fact. And you can hear the clicks, pops, scratches and all the reality of 1965 audio.
... If there's one thing I can't stand on television this
year it's Hullabaloo ...
[Description by Ed Brouder]
Known for his rapport with teenage listeners, Dick
was no stranger to the recording stars of the day:
The Rolling Stones once dropped by the Big D studios
at 869 Blue Hills Avenue to do an interview. And
another of his interviews was preserved for posterity
on a Beach Boys album.
Dick has launched thousands of broadcast careers (and
become a very wealthy man) through his Connecticut
School of Broadcasting, started in 1965. He has also
been a station owner.
On this night he was checking out the top tunes in
Boston, courtesy of guest DJ Arnie Ginsburg at WMEX.
...
Money talks, nobody walks
...
Charlie Greer (1923-1996) was on WABC
for a long time. From many miles away, through the fading and static, I remember Charlie as the pitchman for those rhythmic Dennison's spots — bedtime stories from the proverbial transistor radio under my pillow.
Hearing them again reminds me how strange I thought it all was. If I lived in New York, I could shop at Dennison's at 1 in the morning!
This wonderful aircheck from Man from Mars
includes several Dennison's spots, plus a Palisades Amusement Park
spot. Jim Branch does the newscast. I initially suspected this recording was made from WABC-FM, but Don Tandler tells me the aircheck was
made in the WABC studios by Charlie Greer himself, and willed to fan Steve Thomas. Contributor Ed Brouder received it from a fellow collector in Utah, years ago. It's not truly "high-fidelity", but the clarity and presence of the overall recording is quite different from the reverb and hetrodyne-enhanced memories of my pillow-surfing years.
. . . Good Morning, Viewers . . .
[Description by Ed Brouder]
Today, he's a major New York Voice talent, but on this morning, The Big 68 was full-bore with NOW RADIO and a PAMS custom jingle package.
. . . Do I take a chance here at this NBC owned and operated radio station, making twenty thousand dollars a year? . . .
[Description by Ed Brouder]
When Lee Baby Simms left WPOP in Hartford, CT. in 1967, he returned to San Antonio, intending to work at KTSA. But KONO went to court to enforce a non-compete, so he ended up there for a few months before returning to WPOP. Then, it was off
to Cleveland (for the first time) and WKYC.
[Aircheck courtesy of Jay Marks]
. . . When men reach their 40s they suddenly look around and they say to themselves, 'Good grief -- where's it all gone?' . . .
[Description by Ed Brouder]
After Cleveland, Lee Baby Simms landed at KCBQ (for the first time). This particular day he was feeling effects of some late-night partying with Bartell's George Wilson who was in town. He also had to put up with a skeptical cash call
contestant.
. . . You keep beatin' on that thing, one of these days it's gonna grow up and beat on you . . .
[Description by Ed Brouder]
Not too long after this tape, CHUM went with the Drake format and Big Jack was off to Hartford.
But this night, he and the gorilla are having fun doing what he does best --playing the hits. Note that the energy level is a bit more subdued than we're used to.
Jack Armstrong passed away March 22, 2008 at his home in North Carolina.
. . .
Lundy, listen - there's a rocket leaving the Space Center, be under it
. . .
[Description by Ed Brouder]
. . . I get that mixed up with 'Close to You', which was also sharing the number one spot with that one, 'Make It With You' . . .
[Description by Ed Brouder]
One of his longest stays was at WDRC in Hartford (1969-1972) where Charlie Parker hired him for middays on AM. But his high-energy style soon earned him the
nickname "Highgear", and the 7PM to midnight shift simulcast on WDRC-FM.
Off the air, Joe was friendly with his crosstown rival, Frank Holler. It was
not unheard of that they would call each other's hotline and arrange to play the same songs at the same time on Big D and WPOP.
Before and after Hartford, Joe worked at WAVZ, New Haven. His travels took him to WIFE Indianapolis, KDWB and KSTP Minneapolis, and several Florida markets. His most recent home was WKQL Jacksonville, where he hosted afternoon drive as "Smokin' Joe Beamer." Also known as "Smokin' Joe Hager", Joe passed away
February 23, 1999 and is survived by his family and wife, Andre.
. . . You're Gettin' Gross . . .
[Description by Ed Brouder]
How many oldies stations do you hear playing "Gitarzan?"
. . . and it's just too divine for words, so I'll shut up . . .
[Description by Ed Brouder]
Kenny Everett cut his teeth with England's pirates before joining BBC Radio 1. But he found himself "on the street" for his over-active wit.
After a stint at Radio Luxembourg, he was on the premiere staff of
England's first commercial station, Capital Radio London, which
featured classy jingles and superb stereo separation.
In 1979, Studio B in Hollywood distributed his silly space serial,
"Captain Kremmens," a sort of futuristic Chickenman. During the
1980's, Americans got to preview his syndicated TV comedy, a la Benny Hill.
Sadly, the man born Maurice Cole died of AIDS in April, 1995.
. . . You don't have to be a star to get into ... my private screening of Star Wars . . .
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
Rick Shaw (d. 1998), in addition to his time at KILT (above), KQV, KYUU and KIOI, spent six years at KFRC, San Francisco. Shaw is heard here in a show from June 1977.
Included is a Star Wars Sneak Preview Promo featuring John Mack Flanagan, who sounded so much like Bobby Ocean, that except for a much appreciated comment from Elizabeth Salazar, we wouldn't have known!
. . .
This is Big Ron, I know I need a cold shower, I'm going to take one right now
. . .
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
This recording of the new "Album" version of WRKO opens with Big Ron O'Brien interviewing John Belushi just before the WRKO Christmas Concert at The Boston Garden. Not a small promotion, especially combined with an ongoing call-in contest for album winners of any LP from the current Warner-Elektra-Atlantic catalog.
Big Ron has fun with newsman Bill Rossi, and this is an exceptional exhibit of a legendary talent and late-model RKO Boston Top 40. In addition to the Belushi interview, you'll hear O'Brien stop the "short" version of a Chicago song and run around the studio searching for the ALBUM version - after all, they were New Englands's Album Station! Nevertheless, The Pointer Sisters customize their hit (LP or not) and note also the announcements regarding limited commercial content. In this generation, it was called "less is more."
Big Ron O'Brien died from complications of pneumonia on April 27, 2008. He was 56.
. . .
new sampler from Ed Brouder and Man From Mars Productions
. . .
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
Johnny Holliday introduces this fabulous Man from Mars Aircheck Sampler 2000.
Thanks to Ed Brouder for sharing his 2K Aircheck Sampler with the Repository. It is designed to inspire an interest in airchecks, and it does - many classic radio moments are represented. It's great fun to hear!
This first-rate, top quality production mirrors the REELRADIO interest in airchecks and radio.
And, like the previous sampler, the finale features a Memorable Memorial Segment (beginning at 08:37).
The "Man from Mars" nickname stuck and that's what he called his audio production studio when it opened in 1981.
KLIF Home Run Promo, August 29, 1961 (0:59)
It occurred to me this might be a fun and timely addition to the archives as
Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa break the Roger Maris record and take their home run battle right to the end of the 1998 MLB season.
Rockin' Robin, WEEP/WITT-FM Pittsburgh, 3/29/64 (2:43)
No idea who this guy was, or what became of him. I just like the tortured sonovox on
PAMS Series 18!
TOP STREAM 32Kbps (7Khz)
Bruce Bradley, WBZ Boston, Summer 1964 (05:43)
Unfortunately, I never heard Bruce Bradley during his first eight-year stint rockin' Boston's evening. The wit and quick ad-libbing ability he demonstrates here were still part of the act when he returned to 'BZ in 1978.
TOP STREAM 20.7Kbps (10Khz)
Ron Landry, WDRC Hartford, CT, November 11 1964 (9:08)
Ron Landry was born in New Orleans, raised in Washington, and at his
creative zenith during six years in the Insurance City (1960-1966). His
"light and lively" morning show was peppered with comedy drop-ins (his
special favorite was Stan Freberg,) and he was a master at excerpting
clips from commercials as part of the buildup to a spot.
Ron Landry
TOP STREAM 20.7Kbps (10Khz)
Charlie Greer, WABC New York, January 26, 1965 (30:46)
This is one of the most unusual WABC airchecks featured at REELRADIO. Our thanks to contributor
REELRADIO pays music licensing fees to present unedited music online. If you enjoy unedited airchecks like this one, your tax-deductible contribution to our operating fund will help keep this and other "unscoped" exhibits available.
Charlie Greer
Return to the Repository
TOP STREAM 20.7Kbps (10Khz)
Dick Robinson, WDRC Hartford, 10/21/65 (9:19)
You couldn't grow up in Hartford during the sixties
without hearing Dick Robinson. He was on the air at
WDRC from 1964-69, segued into sales for six more
years and eventually became a Vice President of
Buckley Broadcasting. Every night it was "DRC on DRC"
(the Dick Robinson Company), even when he was hosting
one of his many record hops (often he headed back to
the studio while an assistant spun the tunes at the
hop).
Dick Robinson
TOP STREAM 20.7Kbps (10Khz)
Charlie Greer, WABC New York, August 5, 1969 (28:55)
[Description by Uncle Ricky]
Charlie Greer
Al Gates, WRKO Boston, 6/19/67 (04:10)
A graduate of WHYN Springfield, WPRO Providence and WIXY Cleveland, Al Gates (and his trusty sidekick, Feathers) were on the kickoff crew when WNAC dropped talk and became WRKO.
Lee Baby Simms, WKYC Cleveland, June 27 1968 (05:39)
Lee Baby Simms, KCBQ San Diego, January 10, 1969 (06:28)
Jack Armstrong, CHUM, Toronto, 2/13/69 (04:33)
Rick Shaw, KILT Houston, 1-30-69 (05:04)
Rick Shaw is heard on The Big 610, KILT Houston, in January of 1969.
Shaw unexpectedly died at the age of 53 in San Francisco on June 22, 1998. His friend Elizabeth Salazar wrote:
Rick Shaw on KILT 40 Star Survey, 1971.
(Photo courtesy Elizabeth Salazar)
"Rick Shaw's passing stunned everyone--he'd just had a physical to renew his pilot's license a month ago. Unlike many jocks of his era, he did NOT smoke or drink. It was discovered he suffered an aortic aneurysm. . .
He was a professional to the nth degree; more importantly, he was a true friend who gladly gave freely of himself, expecting nothing in return. Radio has lost one of its best. "
Joe Hager, WDRC Hartford 8/12/70 (03:59)
The son of a Philadelphia jazz musician, Joe Hager (1945-1999) began a 35 year radio career at the college station at Rutgers University. On either side of a tour of Vietnam with Uncle Sam, his voice graced the airwaves at stations in New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut and Florida.
Joe Hager with WDRC's Little Dee Dune Buggy, 1969
Bob Gross, WIBG, Philadelphia, 1/20/71 (08:17)
Here is a fun, energetic, late-night show mixing chart hits with some album cuts. There are several examples of TM's "Friends" jingle package; in fact, WIBG was among the earliest users (maybe THE earliest).
Kenny Everett, Capital Radio London, 11/12/74 (5:49)
Rick Shaw, KFRC San Francisco, 6-13-77 (02:31)
(Photo courtesy Elizabeth Salazar)
TOP STREAM 32 Kbps (10Khz)
Ron O'Brien, WRKO Boston, December 11, 1978 (18:36)
TOP STREAM 32.1Kbps (16Khz)
Man from Mars Aircheck Sampler 2000 (09:59)
More to Come from the Man from Mars Collection!
Reel Top 40 Radio Repository ©1996-2013 REELRADIO, INC.