Rock Radio Scrapbook

Airchecks: 1974

Talent: DICK HEATHERTON
Station: WCBS-FM New York
Date: March 14, 1974
Time: 5:22

Oldies stations are commonplace now but back in the early '70s it was very much a novelty. A few stations did take the plunge back then, among them WCBS-FM. This New York station at 101.1 switched from an AOR-CHR hybrid to oldies on July 4, 1972 and has never looked back. In the years since, it has become literally the "gold" standard of oldies stations, with a strong deejay lineup and music playlist to boot (we forgive them for their short flirtation with the "Jack" format.)

Dick Heatherton held down the afternoon drive shift on WCBS-FM for much of the '70s and '80s and played a definite role in the station's success. While most people associate the great Bob Shannon with WCBS-FM's afternoon drive shift, let's not forget what came before.

To hear Dick Heatherton, click here.

(Scrapbook archives)

Talent: BILL WINTERS
Station: WCBS-FM New York
Date: March 14, 1974
Time: 6:23

Big voice and smooth delivery in tow, Bill Winters came to WCBS-FM in July, 1973. Originally, he did the all-night shift, then moved to late nights. He finally landed in middays in February, 1974.

Before coming to WCBS-FM, Winters worked at several major stations, including KYW and WKYC Cleveland, CKLW Windsor, Ont., WIBG Philadelphia and WPOP Hartford.

Winters died November 26, 1975.

Hear Winters on WCBS-FM here.

(Scrapbook archives)

Talent: JIM CONNORS
Station: WYSL Buffalo, N.Y.
Date: March 30, 1974
Time: 17:07

Back when Top 40 radio had character, Top 40 radio had characters.

One of the most memorable of them was Jim Connors, a man who even inspired a song - Harry Chapin's 1974 hit "WOLD" about a aging deejay who has seen too many towns and too many turntables. The song is not about him per se, it was more of a generalization of the life of a deejay - but it was was inspired after Chapin met with Connors at WJET in Erie, Pa.

Connors had a colourful and varied career. An Air Force veteran, he was part of U.S. President John F. Kennedy's communications team in the Florida Keys, which aided the blockade of Cuba in 1962. On the entertainment side, he earned 13 gold records for discovering artists and-or their music. In addition, he and his father co-edited "JC's Think Sheet", a music trend report supplied to radio stations.

Connors had already worked at WMEX Boston and WJET before becoming WYSL's morning man in 1973.  He later worked at WROC Rochester, N.Y., and WCIB Falmouth, Mass.

Connors died February 24, 1987.

To hear Jim Connors on WYSL, click here.

(Man from Mars Productions)

Talent: JACK ARMSTRONG
Station: 13-Q (WKTQ) Pittsburgh
Date: April, 1974
Time: 8:48

Jackson Armstrong didn't go too far after leaving WKBW in February of 1973. His next stop was WJAS, which soon after his arrival changed its call-letters to WKTQ, or "13-Q". The station initially soared in the ratings - it was second to KDKA for a time - but its fortunes faded in the late '70s. In 1981, WKTQ returned to its heritage WJAS call-letters with an adult standards format. For more information on WKTQ, check out Jeff Roteman's Tribute Site.

Enjoy Jack Armstrong on 13-Q here.

(Scrapbook archives)

Talent: CHRISTIAN THIBAULT
Station: CJRP Québec City
Date: April 21/May 1, 1974
Time: 5:09/4:51

Cliquez ici pour les descriptions en français.

(Description by Pierre Tremblay)

In the summer of 1969, Raymond Crépault, owner of CJMS-1280 and the fledgling Radiomutuel network,  bought CJLR-1060 from Jacques LaRoche and changed its call letters to CJRP, RP standing for Radio Provincial. In addition, Crépault bought CJTR-1150 (later 1040) in Trois-Rivières and opened new stations in Ottawa CJRC-1150 and CJRS-1510 in Sherbrooke.

As was the case for all Radiomutuel stations, CJRP put the emphasis on news and personalities. All Radiomutuel outlets were top 40 stations. Featured in this aircheck is Christian Thibault, who we can hear elsewhere on Rock Radio Scrapbook as a CHRC disc-jockey. CJRP was a tough contender for CHRC in the Quebec City market and even went on top in the ratings for a few years when the station lured morning man André Arthur away from CHRC.

Eventually Arthur came back to CHRC as a co-owner in addition to returning as a morning man. But in 1974 CJRP was battling out against CFLS for the No. 2 spot in the ratings.

Enjoy Christian Thibault on April 21, 1974 here.

Hear Christian Thibault on May 1, 1974 here.

(The Christian Thibault Collection)

*Special thanks to Marc Denis for his superb audio editing

Talent: BILL ANDERSON
Station: CFGM Richmond Hill. Ont.
Date: May 10, 1974
Time: 9:45

It was to country music in Canada what CHUM was to Top 40 music. And for 30 great years CFGM was the place to be for true Country Gentlemen (and ladies too).

In 1960, CJRH in Richmond Hill, Ont. - after three years on the air - switched to a groundbreaking format of full-time country music as CFGM. For the next three decades, country music fans in Greater Metro (that's what the GM stood for in the call letters though some of the jocks took it as Country Folks Good (or Great) Music) were treated to a warm and unforgettable listening experience. Personalities like Stu Kenney, Don Daynard, Brian Barker, Stan Campbell, Ron Knight, Bob McAdorey, Dan Ryan, Mike McMahon, Big Jim Marshall, Al Kingdon,  Ross Carlin and Jim Brady all took turns behind the microphone. The station took the lead in helping develop country music talent in Canada with the popular show Nashville North.

It all came to a end in June 1990 with the announcement that CFGM was switching format to Top 40 with the call letters CHOG. CFGM's farewell is one of the classiest we've ever heard.

(Note: When CFGM signed off in June, 1990, it said in its farewell announcement that market conditions dictated against a country-formatted station in Toronto. In March, 1991, CKEY switched to country as CKYC, stating in its opening announcement that market conditions dictated a need for a country station in Toronto. That was just nine months after CFGM folded its tent. Go figure!)

Bill Anderson has been one of Canada's leading country music announcers for years with stops at Country 59, CKFM, CFRB, CJEZ, CHML and the Pelmorex Radio Network among others. A big fan of classical music, Anderson has spent several years at classical-formatted CFMX radio in Toronto.

Rock Radio Scrapbook remembers CFGM and Bill Anderson from 1974 here.

(The Art Rockwood Collection)

Talent: DON BERNS
Station: WKBW Buffalo, N.Y.
Date: June 6, 1974
Time: 11:04

The best man to describe Don Berns is Don Berns himself.

Several years ago, we came across a book in a used book store called "The Program Directors Handbook" by Bob Paiva. Cost: $1.00. What a bargain! On the surface it seemed like a dull technical tome, but closer inspection revealed it was anything but. Inside were several fascinating interviews with leading deejays and programmers of the time (the book was published in 1983.) Among those interviewed: Terry Young, Tom Shovan and Don Berns. I obtained Mr. Paiva's permission to reprint a portion of his interview with Berns and have carried it in Rock Radio Articles for several years. For those of you who have not read it, here it is.

Rock Radio Scrapbook is proud to present Don Berns at his best, on WKBW in 1974 here.

(Man From Mars Productions)

Talent: CHRIS HARDING
Station: CJME Regina
Date: July 21, 1974
Time: 13:01

(Description and graphics courtesy Dale Johnson)

CJME went on the air in 1959, and switched to Top 40 music in 1967. CJME adopted an oldies format in 1986, and in 1998 it was re-launched as a news/talk station. In 2001, CJME moved down the dial from 1300 to 980. It was rebranded NewsTalk 980 in 2006.

CJME was at its peak as a Top 40 station in the 1970s. One of the many deejays to pass through the Regina station in that decade was Chris Harding. He later worked at CKRM/CFMQ in Regina, and then went on to CJBK in London, Ont.

Harding later had stops at CKMP Midland, Ont., CJBX London, CKCW Moncton, N.B., and CFCO Chatham, Ont. He moved to BX 93 in London in 1993, becoming afternoon personality, music director and assistant program director.

Enjoy Chris Harding on CJME here.

(The Dale Johnson Collection)

Subject: TM SHOCKWAVE DEMO
Station: KCBQ, WCFL, KRLA
Date: 1974
Time: 14:56

If you ever wondered what the "TM" in TM Productions stood for, look no further than its founder's name. Tom Merriman started the jingle company with Jim Long in 1967 (Merriman had earlier founded Commercial Recording Corporation in 1955).

TM Production continued until 1990 when it merged with Century 21 Programming Inc., to become TM Century, Inc. In 2006, TM Century was purchased by Jones Media Networks.

This fabulous TM Shockwave demo includes jingles from KCBQ San Diego, WCFL Chicago and KRLA Los Angeles.

Enjoy the TM Shockwave Demo here.

(The Mike Rivers Collection)

More great jingles here!

Talent: ROGER ASHBY
Station: CHUM Toronto
Date: August 16, 1974
Time: 7:10

Few deejays - if any - have treated the music they play with more reverence than Roger Ashby.

For years, Ashby's "Sunday Morning Oldies Show" has been one of rock radio's most informative and entertaining programs. Ashby's always interesting historical tidbits and wide variety in the music he played have made the weekly three-hour show a delight.

Ashby has also carved a special niche in CHUM history as the only deejay to appear on that station in a regular shift in five different decades. He started in August, 1969 - a mere four hours after finishing his last shift at Hamilton's CKOC - and continued at CHUM until switching over to CHUM-FM as morning host in 1985. The Sunday Morning Oldies Show also switched to CHUM-FM but returned to the AM side in the 1990s, giving him a fourth decade at CHUM-AM. He got a fifth decade when the Sunday Morning Oldies Show returned in 2003.  Ashby holds the distinction of being the only person to hold down the morning show on both CHUM-AM and CHUM-FM.

Ashby's five-decade reign on 1050 CHUM is even more impressive when you consider how few have been on-air there for three decades. There have been only 10 for sure: Jay Nelson (1963-1980); Bob Laine (1958-1970); Mark Edwards/Bob Magee (1973-1997); Russ McCloud (1985-2001); Daryl B. ('70s, '80s and early '90s);  John Rode (1970-1990s); Gregg Lee ('80s, '90s and '00s); Marc Chambers ('80s, '90s and '00s); Bruce Marshall ('80s, '90s and '00) and Tom Rivers, who was on CHUM in the '70s and '80s and returned in 2003.

(Notes: Rode MAY have filled in mornings at CHUM in 2000 but did not do a regular shift. Brian Henderson was at CHUM in the '70s but only in the late '90s and early 2000s as a deejay. Several newsmen have done the three-decade thing (Peter Dickens comes to mind), but we're only talking deejays here.)

Rock Radio Scrapbook presents Roger Ashby here.

(NOTE: This aircheck continues with the Terry Steele aircheck below)

(The Bill Dulmage Collection)

For more classic CHUM airchecks, visit The CHUM Archives

Talent: TERRY STEELE
Station: CHUM Toronto
Date: August 16, 1974
Time: 8:51

There are few things quite like a summer day, an open convertible and great Top 40 music on the radio. And you don't really need the first two.

CHUM was one of those stations that can truly be described as the soundtrack of one's life, at least in Southern Ontario. For its many years as a hit music station, CHUM has been a synonym for fun.

In 1974, the late Terry Steele was 'doin' it right' at CHUM as was everybody on-air there. Roger Ashby and Dick Smythe make brief appearances on this classic aircheck.

Rock Radio Scrapbook presents Terry Steele here.

(The Bill Dulmage Collection)

Talent: CHRISTIAN THIBAULT
Station: CJRP Québec City
Date: August 24, 1974
Time: 5:27

Cliquez ici pour les descriptions en français.

(English and French descriptions by Michel Gignac)

When he was a teenager Christian Thibault always dreamt of becoming a radio disc-jockey and in 1974 his dream became real as he began his career on commercial radio on CJRP-1060. Prior to being heard on CJRP he familiarized himself with radio in high school and acted as a disc jockey in disco night clubs.

When CJRP offered Thibault to sit in for regular deejays first on all-night shows and then on weekend he was well equipped to extricate himself as his past experience as a deejay in night clubs served him well at a time when disco music invaded the airwaves.

Thibault's radio career has always been a part-time job since he has been a civil servant for some 30 years or so. Nevertheless he remained as passionate for radio as he was in 1974 when he was heard for the first
time on a commercial station.

Hear Christian Thibault from August 24, 1974 here.

(The Christian Thibault Collection)

Thanks to Pierre Tremblay for sending this to us!

*Audio editing by Marc Denis

Talent: MICHAEL GODIN
Station: CFOM Quebec City
Date: Summer 1974
Time: 3:10

The story of CFOM is well-documented by Marc Denis on our Rock Radio Goodbyes section. As Marc says there, it was "the little Québec City English-language Top 40 station that could and did ... for a while anyway."

Few airchecks of CFOM have surfaced, but we do have this one for you.

Enjoy Michael Godin on CFOM in 1974 here.

(The Pierre Tremblay Collection)

Talent: DAN WILLIAMSON
Station: CKLG Vancouver
Date: September, 1974
Time: 3:52

(Logo courtesy Bill Dulmage)

Even if you only casually watch TV or listen to the radio in Canada, chances are you've heard Dan Williamson.

The veteran broadcaster is well-known for his many years as the National Male Voice of the Global Television Network. One of Canada's most sought-after voice talents, Williamson has also worked with numerous national radio and TV production companies and audio-visual companies.

Williamson also has an extensive radio resume, which has included stops at Toronto stations CFTR, CKEY, CKFM (The Mix) and the country-music version of CISS-FM.

In 1974, Williamson was breaking into prominence at Vancouver's CKLG.

Hear him on 'LG 73 here.

(The Charlie Ritenburg Collection)

Talent: SANDY BEACH
Station: WGR Buffalo, N.Y.
Date: Fall, 1974
Time: 14:57

Long-time WKBW mainstay Sandy Beach had only been gone from the station about a year when he was asked to return to Buffalo. The occasion was a "reunion" day on WGR. Only two deejays were featured - Joey Reynolds from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Beach from 2-7. Beach didn't have very far to travel either - he was working on-air at WJET Erie, Pa., at the time.

Beach eventually left WJET for KYUU San Francisco. He returned to the Queen City in the 1980s to WMJQ-FM and his old stomping grounds at 'KB. Then it was on to WNYS-FM (the forerunner of Oldies 104) and later to a short-lived talk show stint at WGR in the early '90s. After a four-year spell at WZTR Milwaukee (1993-1997), he returned to Buffalo again in '97 to do what has been a well-received 3-6 p.m. talk show on WBEN.

It has been a long and interesting run for the man who for years signed off his show "Goodnight Lunenburg, Mass., wherever you are." (a reference to his home town).

Rock Radio Scrapbook is pleased to present Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Famer Sandy Beach here.

(Scrapbook archives)

Talent: MURRAY JOHNSON
Station: CKRC Winnipeg
Date: December 7, 1974
Time: 13:13

(Logo courtesy Murray Johnson)

He was only a teenager,  but Murray Johnson jocked on one of Canada's leading Top 40 stations.

Johnson, who donated this aircheck of himself to Rock Radio Scrapbook, tells us about it and his time at Winnipeg's CKRC:

(The Murray Johnson Collection)

Talent: JACK MINDY
Station: WHEN Syracuse, N.Y.
Date: December, 1974
Time: 11:50

(Logo courtesy Bill Dulmage)

There was a time when deejays entertained on the radio without resorting to shock jokes or relying on a cast of silly-sounding sidekicks.

Yes, deejays in drive shifts used to go solo and cracked wise without ever mentioning any part of the human anatomy.

They alluded to it yes, but in a subtle manner that made you think.

It was a golden era for sure. I hope that those considering a radio career take the time to listen to these voices of the past on this site and others. They really had style, personality and charm.

One of the best from this era was Jack Mindy, a Buffalo-born mainstay of western and central New York radio for many years. He also worked in the Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Detroit and San Francisco-Oakland markets before ending his 52-year on-air career at WGMC Greece, N.Y., in 2009. Check out his web site.

To hear Jack Mindy, click here.

(The Bill Dulmage Collection)

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