Announcing the 2011 inductees at

the Hit Parade Hall of Fame .

 

 

Winner of six Grammy’s her “At Last”

has become today’s wedding song.

Etta James has died in Riverside, California.

She was 73.

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Bill Bailey at WLS

Memories – in the late 60'S I was on vacation in Montana when I was informed the WLS morning man, Clark Weber, had turned in his resignation. I was in Louisville the next morning to hear first hand WKLO’s morning show.  The program director at competing WAKY had earlier sent me an air check of his competitor, Bill Bailey, he owned mornings as the Duke of Louisville.  Arriving in Louisville after midnight, I set my alarm for 6am in hopes of finding a solution for my WLS opening.  Almost immediately I recognized why this guy was top rated, his unique voice, delivery & humor should do what WLS wasn’t doing, beating Howard Miller at WIND and Wally Phillips at WGN.

ABC radio president Hal Neal, Jr., telephoned to "get the story straight about your new morning man". He explained he had received two reports in Bailey's first week and was encouraged that regardless of what he was told "both remembered the guys name...Bill Bailey".  "I would hope they remembered his name, he's got a little Arthur Godfrey and some Elmer Fudd in his act" I replied. After a pause he ended with a chuckle, "sounds good Rook, let's hope your right".

Shortly thereafter, I was offered the job at president of Bill Drakes company in California. Within a few months of my departure Bill Bailey called me to say he didn’t appreciate my replacement as program director at WLS and he wanted to return to Louisville where he was more comfortable.

A few years later he telephoned to say how much he had appreciated the opportunity I had given him, but “returning the Duke to Louisville had been real good for me.”  I wished him well and then took a moment to check the Louisville ARB, he was far and away number one at WAKY.

William Boahn, “The Duke of Louisville known as Bill Bailey passed away at Saturday, January 14, 2012, he was 81 years  of age.

The ReelRadio tribute is here

jr

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Doug McIntyre

 

Delighted to know Doug McIntyre is returning to mornings

at KABC in the New Year.  Just in time to replace my KFI

listening now that Clear Channel has removed KFI and all

of their stations from my Wifi radio dial.

 

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Chuck Brinkman

Our thoughts and prayers for our long time friend Chuck

Brinkman. Having just returned to a somewhat normal life

following many months of being hospitalized from a stroke,

is battling for his life again. Chuck has been in a terrible

automobile accident in Dallas. (update here)

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Patti Page today

 

Happy 84th birthday to Hit Parade Hall of Fame

inductee, Patti Page, still performing and

 sounding fantastic to sold out audiences

with her dozens of million sellers,

including the multi-million seller,

" Tennessee Waltz".

 

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George Wilson's Memory Tunes is now available for

the whole world to hear via WiFi radio.

Congrats George, nice being able to hear programming

 not available on AM or FM these days and it being

created by one of America's great programmers.

 

Radio's "Ross on Radio" sez this about Memory Tunes

 

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Mel Hall

Pioneer radio PD and jock of the 50's

and 60's at KQV, KRLA and WJJD, Mel moved

into creating commercials for TV & Radio.

 

 Mel Hall passed away

October 10 in California of complications

 following radiation treatments.

Very creative, good guy.

He was 80 years of age.

More on our friend Mel here

 

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Delighted to see Bob Pittman moves

to CEO at Clear Channel.

He's a class act.

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Frank Dileo passes

       

 

We prayed for his recovery from the coma he entered into

 following heart surgery earlier this year.

 

Another  friend who's ride through life is legendary.

 

Frank died on August 24 in Pittsburgh.

Our condolences to Frank’s wife, Linda, son Dominic,

daughter, Belinda, his grandchildren and all of his

extended family and loved ones.

 

Services in Pittsburgh at William F. Gross Funeral Home,

1735 Frankstown Road, Penn Hills, on Monday and Tuesday

2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral prayers Wednesday 9:30 a.m. Mass

of Christian Burial in St. Bartholomew Church10 a.m.

 

jr

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Good News !

Chuck Blore is home after months of

hospitalization following a fall. Ted Atkins

recovering at home in Pittsburgh from an

extended hospital stay.

 

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Glen Campbell

 

In his new song, “A Better Place,” Glen Campbell sings,

“I need the ones I love Lord/More and more each day.”

The lyric is more personal than you might know as Glen

at 75 years of age reveals he has Alzheimer’s disease.

He and his wife Kim decided to go public with Glen’s

diagnosis because he’s hoping to say farewell

with a final slate of live performances this fall.

 

Glen Campbell is an inductee of the

Hit Parade Hall of Fame .

 

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Steve Popovich dies

 

As a mega-platinum hitmaker, Grammy-winning producer

and promotion man, his career spans every side of the

music industry.

Heading A&R for Epic Records, he signed performers such as

Michael Jackson, Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick and Boston.

It was his Cleveland International that introduced Meat

Loaf's "Bat Out of Hell" that sold more than 30 million

units.  He is a founding member of the

Hit Parade Hall of Fame .

Our friend Steve Popovich died in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

of a heart attack on Wednesday, June 8th

 at 68 years of age. Memorial service for Steve will be

at the United Methodist Fellowship Church in

Murfreesboro on Thursday, June 30th.

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A star is born....

 

The "boy" from North Carolina has been a heads on

favorite from the start.

Seems to be cut from the same cloth as the late

Jim Reeves or George Strait, both country

gentlemen.


For sure, Scotty McCrerry is destined for super stardom

 as he captures the crown at American Idol 10.
 

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Rick Dees

Rick Dees returned to the Los Angeles airwaves via

Clear Channel’s KHHT (Hot 92.3 in the morning slot.

 

Already holding down the top three positions in the

ratings, (KIIS, KOST & KFI) Clear Channel adds Rick

to mornings on a format featuring much of the music

he first introduced to Angelino's .

 

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Michael Jackson & Frank Dileo

 

Prayers for our long time friend Frank Dileo,

complications following heart surgery at

 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

 

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Charlie Fach

 

He played an important part in the careers of

Roger Miller, Rod Stewart, Vern Gosdin, Jerry Lee

Lewis, Kool & the Gang and many others.

 

Charlie Fach has died at the age of 82. A memorial service

will be held Saturday, May 7, 2PM at the Hermitage

Funeral Home , Nashville, TN.

 

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Randy Wood dies

 

 

He's the last of the pioneer recording icons, Randy Wood

died at his home in La Jolla, California  on Saturday,

April 16th at 94 years of age.

 

Giant recording stars of the 50's, Pat Boone, Billy Vaughn,

The Hilltoppers, The Fontaine Sisters and others benefited

from his keen ear for a hit. At a time when black recording

artist were seldom heard on radio, Randy opened the door

for artists such as Fats Domino and Little Richard when

he introduced their songs by having white singers record

their music.

 

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George Wilson's "Memory Tunes" features a fantastic

mix of popular and country hits.

The legendary programmer has a winner.

 

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Along with Bill Ballance, Bruce Hayes, Al Jarvis,

Joe Yocum, B. Mitchell Reid and Elliott Field, he was

one of Chuck Blores "Seven Swinging Gentlemen" as they

captured the top slot in the ratings during the late 50's in

Los Angeles. Some may recall his daily sign off as he wished

his listeners "Blue Skies and Green Lights".

Ted Quillin has died at 81 years of age in Las Vegas.

A "Celebration Of His Life" will take place at the

 Red Rock Casino in the Penthouse on Charleston Blvd,

in Las Vegas on April 30 from 11 am to 1 pm

 

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Hard to believe its been just 50 years since the Federal

Communications Commission authorized regular

FM stereo broadcasting.

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Bill Young reignites memories and adds to the knowledge   of those  early years when - - like a magnet - -radio was largely responsible for bringing change to our society.

His book, "Dead Air" is beautifully written, a must read.

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Early on he graduated from the University of North Carolina with a Bachelor’s Degree in Radio, TV and Motion Pictures and now Rick Dees has been invited to deliver this year’s commencement address in May. Relating the chapters of his career and life should inspire Tar Heel grads…good choice!

I’ve often said she knows more about a variety of subjects than most radio talkers.   Her daily XM broadcast will soon be ending as Rollye James explores new opportunities. 

Tommy Edwards is back on the air in Chicago as CBS positions WJMK to challenge WLS-fm in the “oldies” race.  Under Dan Mason’s leadership, CBS virtually owns this format nationally. I’m betting Tommy will be on the winning side of this battle. How long will it be before Chicago returns to hearing Larry Lujack? He is still Chicago’s best known radio personality.  A magnet for  the demo that grew up as Superjock Lujack first introduced the hits that became today's "oldies" to Chi-town.

Prayers for  Chuck Blore, Harry Nelson,  Jay Marvin and Ted Atkins.  CB advises his recovery will be slow. Harry is touch and go with some improvement in recent days. The same for Ted Atkins following what was more than eight hours of surgery for cancer.

To my ear this year’s American Idol contestants is the strongest lineup in the history of the show.  Weeks ago I picked country singer Scotty McCreery to win it all, but it will be close. The show itself is much improved as the judges and host have been directed to discontinue the dickering and negativity of the past.

American Idol shocker, Pia Toscano, most thought would make it at least into the top 3, was voted off the show. Unfortunately, the judges only had one "save" for the season and it was spent on Casey. Its a lesson they will benefit from going into future seasons when they will be tempted to play that card too early.

Bob Dearborn "The Olde Disc Jockey" has a great website. His daily quiz provides fuel to my mind. 

Can't wait to see John Travolta as John Gotti in a film scheduled for this year.

Who’d a thought recording artist Jimmy Dean would be  known for his sausage more than his chart topping hits             of the early 60's. Now Pat Boone, with his own legacy of        hits has taken a similar step with All American Meats.

 

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The 2011 Hit Parade Hall of Fame nominees

awaiting your vote are

 The Commodores with Lionel Richie

The Doobie Brothers

Earth, Wind & Fire

 Ferrante & Teicher 

Hall & Oates 

The Isley Brothers  

The Miracles with Smokey Robinson

  The Osmonds with Donnie & Marie

 Billy Preston 

Sly & the Family Stone

The Spinners

 Bruce Springsteen

 

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Great  Memories  of  KFI

 

Lohman & Barkley

Eric Chase

Big Ron O’Brien

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            Ruth Meyer

 

At a time when females were a rarity in radio, as program

 director of WMCA in New York she introduced millions to

early Top 40 radio in the 50’s and 60’s.

           Ruth Meyer died January 22, 2011 at her home             

in Kansas City.

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Bobby Poe

 

His annual Pop Music Convention was attended by both

the music and the radio industry for 25 years until his

retirement in 1996.

After battling throat cancer, complications from a blood

clout claimed his life on January 22, 2011.

Bobby Poe was 77.

Online condolences and services information is here.

 

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The voting of fans and the decision of the nominating

committee have inducted 15 recording stars of various

genres' into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.

 

ABBA, Eric Clapton, Jackie DeShannon, The Diamonds, 

Bo Diddley, Anne Murray, Willie Nelson, Pink Floyd, Dan

Fogelberg, The Rascals, Paul Revere & the Raiders, The

Righteous Brothers, Dusty Springfield, James Taylor and

Roger Williams were selected from 53 nominees to join

124 inductees of past years.

 

Fans are encouraged to vote for their favorite nominees at

the Hit Parade Hall of Fame website.

 

Each year in January inductees are announced with the 

      new nominees for the New Year in mid February.               

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       Bob Pittman                      Irving Azoff

 

Clear Channel’s announced arrival of Bob Pittman gathered most of the media ink, although some noted Irving Azoff  joining the board of Clear Channel.

Their involvement can only benefit  the industry.

           We wish them success.

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So sorry to report the passing  on January  12 at a

 hospital in Los Angeles of Bernie Torres at 79 years of age.

During the hey day of Boss Radio in the 60's  most would

have to go through Bernie to reach "da Man"

Bill Drake.

Lots of memories for many of us.

 

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Rush Limbaugh answers....

Would Top 40 Radio Work Today?

 

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The Last of the Pioneers

John Kluge dies

 

He was from the same cloth as broadcasting pioneers Leonard Goldenson and William Paley.  His Metromedia mirrored the class he was personally known for with most only wishing they would be invited to join John Kluge.

 On September 7^th, after 95 years John Kluge has died.

I remember him, the following from my “Passing Thru.”

Al Bennett, President of Liberty records and Ken Palmer, owner of KIMN in Denver had both telephoned to say they had recommended me to their friend John Kluge.

So while it wasn’t totally unexpected, I still was somewhat surprised when Kluge personally called me in the early 70's asking if I would be interested in joining his Metromedia Radio division and headquarter in New York.

 Just a few weeks prior to his invitation, I had moved from Chicago to Los Angeles and since returning east was not on my agenda, after a few days of consideration I declined.

It probably wasn’t one of my smartest decisions, but early on I had tasted the suit and tie corporate life of the east coast while at ABC and now in my 30’s I had just been hired as president of my friend Bill Drakes company with the lure of all that sunny California had to offer.  The more comfortable, casual way of life and conducting business suited me fine. Within a few months I traded my Chrysler Imperial for a new Mercedes Benz and while I might have to travel east from time to time, I sure wasn’t going to miss its frigid winters and humid summers.

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New books from two of my favorite females....

 

She’s one of the most knowledgeable hosts on talk radio.

Knowing more about almost any subject than her

counterparts, Rollye James demonstrates her

natural home spun brillance each night on

Sirus and on the internet.

 

Rollye’s “What am I doing here,” tells “the rest of the

story” about many of radio's most celebrated characters

and also gives the reader many lessons in radio

history plus a dose of inspiration that's

sorely needed not only in radio but in society

as a whole these days.

 

A favorite book of mine, "What am I doing here"

 by Rollye James can be ordered here.

 

 

 

It’s a labor of love for Sharon Sheeley’s son as he

tells the story of her remarkable life in

“Summertime Blues, a true rock and roll

adventure with Eddie Cochran. "

Eight years following her passing, Sharon's

son Shannon shares his mothers life as a

very successful songwriter and friend of

the stars of early rock.

 

Order it from Amazon here

 

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Al Martino

For more than 50 years I counted him my friend.

A true gentleman, he was one of the most

naturally gifted singers I've ever known.

It's been almost a year since Al Martino died

at 82 years of age.

Just a few days before his sudden passing

Al was in the recording studio, his unmistakable

voice was as powerful as ever as he paid

tribute of his wife Judi with a haunting

melody that could be a big favorite

among senior married couples.

This isn't a time when a Al Martino

recording can find airplay on radio.

That's why I've presented it here.

"Thank you" pal, I miss you.

 

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Talk radio continues to be the truth teller about politics

and the economy. As noted many months ago the dreaded

“d” word warned by talksters has finally found its way in

the rest of the media.

 

History is well on its way to repeating the hardship

of the 30's, only this time a society raised in an era

of abundance will find the future more than they

can weather.

 

Far more than has been experienced by most of the

population thus far, some very tough days are ahead

and talk radio has been the guiding light.

 

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A decade ago, we wrote on this website,

"In the not to distant future I would expect most homes

would have a compact home entertainment center 

in the living room with smaller sub stations located

throughout the house, especially in the bed rooms.

 

This center will contain a large screen capable of

delivering multiple video selections that would

 include television, the internet,  DVD's, CD's and

other program sources not known today.

Both AM/FM and Internet programming will

 be included in this center.

 

My long time friend visionary Bob Hamilton, predicts

away from home use won’t be limited to just AM/FM but

the Internet and video will also be available to the

family automobile. "

 

The future is NOW.....

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Eddie Cochran

 

Fifty Years and we still

 “Don’t Forget” him.

 

Unlike most of the world today, America is transfixed on

youth. Those names of the past largely go unnoticed in

our society. It’s a change from how it was during a time

when some of us recall history was taught in schools and

we appreciated learning about earlier times.

Now America concentrates on little past last Saturday.

 

In foreign society, it’s a much different world where

those names of the past continue to be recognized.

So it was when the BBC paid tribute to my close friend

 of all those years ago, Eddie Cochran, an early

 inductee in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, who died

fifty years ago this week in a terrible car

crash in England.

 

During a moving hour long tribute to him, the BBC report

told of how he influenced dozens of rock’s biggest names

including , Paul McCartney, George Harrison, The Who

and Rod Stewart, youthful fans of Eddie Cochran.

 

Largely because he and many rock recording stars of the

50’s he introduced me too might benefit, Eddie

encouraged me to enter a career in radio, giving up

traveling with him that would have placed me in

the same car in which he died at just 21 years of age.

 

Ironic that he would sign every autograph with

 “Don’t Forget Me”

and how following the death of his friend

Buddy Holly, Eddie instructed me what to do

 should the same fate be his.

 

Memories of my days with Eddie are here. 

Photo’s are here ,the BBC tribute is here

and England's The Sun is here.

 

I miss you pal....

 

John

 

John Rook & Patti Page

 

“The Tennessee Waltz” is the third biggest selling single

 of  all time, approaching twenty million in sales.

 

On the pop & country Hit Parade more than 100 times,

 she sold more than 100 million singles alone,

 not counting her albums.  Patti had  14 million

selling singles.

 

By a vote of her fans worldwide, Patti Page was

inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.

 

During her recent sold out appearance at the

Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Hit Parade Hall of Fame

President John Rook was on stage to present Patti Page

with her induction award.

 

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2010 Nominees at the Hit Parade Hall of Fame

 

The nominating committee of the Hit Parade Hall

of Fame has announced the 2010 nominees.

 They are Gordon Lightfoot, Tommy Roe,

Steve Miller Band, Martha & the Vandellas,

the Chipmunks, Santana, Bill Withers

the Shirelles, Gerry and the Pacemakers

and James Brown.

 

Fans are encouraged to vote for their favorite nominees

that have had two or more top ten hits in the 1950’s,

1960’s and/or 1970’s at the website of the

Hit Parade Hall of Fame.

 

www.hitparadehalloffame.org

 

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Hit Parade Hall of Fame Inductees for 2009

 

Sixty-four recording stars have been inducted into the

2009 Hit Parade Hall of Fame.

 

 It was the vote of fans and the decision of the Nominating

Committee that recording artists, America, the Ames

Brothers, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Louis

Armstrong, Frankie Avalon, Brook Benton, Buckinghams,

Glen Campbell,  Chordettes, Petula Clark, Sam Cooke,

Dave Clark Five, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Buddy

Holly & the Crickets, Sammy Davis, Jr.,  Doors,  Drifters,

Tommy Edwards,  5^th Dimension, Eddie Fisher,

Fleetwood Mac, Johnny Horton, Tennessee Ernie Ford,

Four Aces, Four Lads, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Lesley

Gore, Michael Jackson & the Jackson Five, Joni James,

Sonny James, Billy Joel, George Jones, Kitty Kallen,

KC & the Sunshine Band, Andy Kim, Carole King, Gladys

Knight & the Pips, Little Richard, Barry Manilow,

Al Martino, Mamas & The Papas, McGuire Sisters,

Les Paul & Mary Ford, Peter, Paul & Mary, Gene Pitney,

Platters, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, Helen Reddy,

Marty Robbins,  Rolling Stones, Jimmie Rodgers, Bobby

Rydell, Del Shannon, Simon & Garfunkel, Jo Stafford,

Barbra Streisand, Temptations,  Three Dog Night, Bobby

Vee, Bobby Vinton, Dionne Warwick and Andy Williams

are among the largest group of inductees of any given

 year since the formation of the Hit Parade

Hall of Fame in 2006.

  

Once nominated, recording stars who have had two or

more top ten hit’s in the 50’s, 60’s or 70’s have three

years in which to be inducted into the

Hit Parade Hall of  Fame.

 

Each year in January inductees of the past year are

announced with the new nominees for the New Year

in the second week of February. 

 

John Rook, creator of the Hit Parade Hall of Fame said,

“in announcing this, the largest class of inductees to the

Hit Parade Hall of Fame, the nominating committee

attempted to pay tribute to many recording stars who

 are long overdue the recognition they so richly deserve.”

 

http://www.hitparadehalloffame.org

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TOMMY JAMES’ SHOCKING NEW BOOK!

 “ME,THE MOB, AND THE MUSIC”

A great read, order from Amazon. com

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Ron Alexenburg welcomes Hit Parade Hall of Fame

 Inductee Lou Christie during his recent appearance

at the North Folk Theatre at Westbury.

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Announcing the 2009 Nominees

to the Hit Parade Hall of Fame

 

Now we know why - The tail of two Brains here   

 

Ready for an escape ?

Take a few minutes, return to the 60's here

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