Almanac
JANUARY
1 - WHLD-FM Niagara Falls, New York, signs on. Later became WZIR in 1980, WRXT in 1984 and WKSE in 1985.
1 - Roby Yonge's first show on WABC. (1968)
1 - A revamped and temporarily commercial-free CKGM debuts under new program director Jim Sward, with a mission to defeat Montreal rival CFOX.
1 - In a move which
2 - Bob Smith, later known as Wolfman Jack, is born in New York. (1938)
2 - KFWB Los Angeles becomes "Color Radio", as Chuck Blore introduces one of radio's earliest Top 40 formats. (1958)
2 - CKFH Toronto switches to rock format. It was the first rock competitor to CHUM since CKEY went MOR in 1965. (1967)
3 - WKBW Buffalo call letters change to WWKB (1986)
4 - Long-time CHUM-AM and FM deejay and newsman Larry Wilson dies. (1997)
4 - Al "Jazzbo" Collins, who originated the "Purple Grotto" show on WNEW, is born. (1919)
9 - Mike Rohzman, WGR traffic reporter, killed in helicopter accident.
9 - CHUM-AM morning team of Bob Magee,
Samantha Houston
and Robbie Evans
9 - Farewell show for Robert W. Morgan at K-EARTH. (1998)
10 - Jack L. Cooper, the first black deejay, dies at age 81. (1970)
11- WGR traffic reporter Mike Roszman and the pilot, retired Lt. Col. Herm Kuhn, are killed when their helicopter crashes. (1993)
13 - In an ill-fated move, CHLO London, Ontario, moves from 680 to 1570 and a southwestern Ontario legend ends. (1970)
13 - Bob Lewis, WABC deejay who was later a progressive rock pioneer, dies at age 49. (1987)
14-15 - Alan Freed's first New York dance concert in New York is presented - trouble-free - at the Saint Nicolas Arena in Manhattan. The "Rock 'N' Roll Show" draws 16,000.
14 - Dan Ingram does first show at WKTU-FM New York. (1985)
15 - CKGM drops Top 40 for a "Lite Rock, Less Talk" format. (1986)
15 - The CKGM call-letters are restored. The calls switched to CHTX in 1989 and CKIS in 1991. (1996)
17 - Chicago legend Joel Sebastian dies. (1986)
18 - "The Disc Jockey Kangaroo" replaces "Clementine - The Disc Jockey Cat " on the cover of the CHUM Chart. (1960)
19 - Bob Wells "Hi-Teen" broadcast debuts on WEBR Buffalo. (1946)
19 - Canadian radio legend Norman B. dies at age 53. (1997)
20 - Peter Tripp begins 201-hour, 10-minute on-air marathon on WMGM, signing off with 'I've Had It' by the Bell Notes. (1959)
20 - Alan Freed, commonly referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", dies at age 52. (1965)
27 - Scott Shannon's last day at WHTZ New York. (1989)
31 - KHJ signs off as a top 40 station, with Robert W. Morgan and Dave Sebastian co-hosting the last program. (1986)
31 - Peter Tripp, remembered for a 201-hour marathon he did at WMGM in 1959, dies. (2000)
31 - Percy Allen, first morning man of WKBW's Top 40 era, dies. (2007)
FEBRUARY
1 - WKYC Cleveland begins its Power Radio format. (1968)
3 - Murray the K does last show on WNBC, where he had been doing weekends. (1974)
4 - Porky Chedwick, Pittsburgh radio star known as the "Porkolator", is born in Homestead, Pennsylvania. (1918)
8 - A U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee opens a
hearing on payola in the music
8 - WROR Boston becomes Mix 98.5. (1991)
10 - Buffalo's WGRZ drops Top 40 format for album rock as Q-FM-97. (1975)
10 - Montreal's CKGM becomes CHTX. (1989)
13 - KISN Portland, Oregon Reunion. (1988)
14 - WABC-FM becomes WPLJ. (1971)
18 - Long-time CHUM morning man Jay Nelson, birth name Frank Coxe, dies. (1994)
19 - George 'Hound Dog' Lorenz hosts the "Biggest Show of Stars" at Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium, with headliners Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and Clyde McPhatter. (1957)
19 - Joey Reynolds does first show on WNBC. (1986)
21 - Radio Hall of Famer Murray "The K" Kaufman, who jocked at WMCA, WMGM, WINS, WOR-FM, WNBC, and CHUM-FM, dies. (1982)
23 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is created. (1926)
23 - Gene Chenault, Bill Drake's business partner, dies in Tarzana, California at age 90. (2010)
24 - Harry Harrison debuts on WCBS-FM. (1980)
24 - Rockin' Robin does his last show on CING-FM Burlington, Ont. (1989)
25 - Hoss Allen, one of WLAC's famed Big Three deejays, dies. (1997)
26 - Jay Reynolds does his last show at WABC after six years on the all-night show. (1976)
27 - Jack Armstrong's last show at WKBW. (1973)
27 - Darryl B. (Burlingham) of CHUM, CKLW, CKLG and CFUN fame dies. (2001)
28 - WMGM drops Top 40 format for middle of the
road/standards format, at the same time adopting its old call letters of WHN.
(1962)
MARCH
1 - Norman B's legendary but short-lived Where It's At R&B show debuts on CKFH; it would last until August 30 of that year. (1967)
2 - Long-time southern Ontario personality and former FM 108 morning man Wes Atkinson dies. (2008)
3 - Joe Yocum, one of the original "Seven Swingin' Gentlemen" on KFWB, dies at age 55. (1974)
3 - Chuck Browning, whose many stops included WMCA, CKLW, KHJ and KFRC, dies. (1988)
6 - WWKB switches from satellite oldies to satellite business. (1989)
8 - WMCA great Jack Spector dies on air at WHLI. (1994)
9 - Dan Ingram returns to afternoon drive at WABC New Yotk after a year and a-half doing mornings.
10 - KFWB Los Angeles ends music programming; switches to all news. Gene Weed hosts KFWB's last music show. (1968)
13 - Tom Shannon leaves WWKB. (1986)
14 - "World Famous" Tom Murphy of KHJ fame is born. (1940)
14 - Dick Heatherton does last show at WCBS-FM. (1986)
15 - WRKO Boston debuts its Top 40 format. (1967)
15 - WCFL Chicago switches to beautiful music after 14 years as a rock music station. (1976)
15- Big Wilson's last show at WNBC. (1976)
15 - CKEY leaves rock programming to become CKYC, country format. (1991)
15 - Long-time WABC and WCBS-FM jock Ron Lundy dies. (2010)
16 - B. Mitchell Reed, former WOR, WMCA, KFWB, KRLA, KMET and KLOS jock who is featured on WMCA in "Cruisin' 1963," dies. (1983)
16-17 - WROR Boston holds Rock 'N' Roll Reunion. (1985)
18 - Jim Kerr does first show at WPLJ, beginning a 15-year run. (1974)
19 - Joey Reynolds debuts on WNBC. (1986)
21 - Alan Freed holds first concert show at Cleveland Arena; it was called Moon Dog's Coronation Ball. (1952)
21 - CKFH Toronto becomes CJCL. (1981)
23 - Jack Armstrong dies after a fall in his High Point, North Carolina, home. (2008)
24 - Allen Farrell, author of "The CHUM Book: From the Charts to Your Hearts", is born in Vancouver. (1936)
24 - Harry Harrison debuts on WCBS-FM. (1980)
25 - Midwest radio legend Frank Jolley is born. (1939)
25 - B. Mitchell Reed's last show on WMCA. (1965)
26 - WLAC legend John R. dies. (1986)
29 - WKBW switches dial position to 1520, where it has remained since. (1941)
30 - Norman B's first show on CING-FM. (1979)
APRIL
1 - Donald S. Revert, "The Real" Don Steele, is born. (1936)
1 - CHUM Toronto and CKGM Montreal switch jocks for the day. (1963)
1 - WWDJ, the only AM competition to WABC in the early '70s, switches to a commetcial religious format - the first such station in the New York market. (1974)
6 - WMEX Boston call letters disappear; it becomes WITS. (1978)
7 - KMPX introduces part-time progressive rock format. (1967)
7 - Former CHUM and CKEY morning man Al Boliska dies on the eve of his 40th birthday. (1972)
7 - WNEW-FM plays its two millionth song, "God Gave Rock 'n' Roll To You," by Argent. (1996)
8 - Future CHUM and CKEY morning man Al Boliska is born. (1932)
8 - After 20 days and four hours, Larry "Snortin" Norton of WGRQ-FM Buffalo, New York, enters the Guinness Book of World Records for consecutive hours on the air. He was holidaying in the Caribbean the next day. (1981)
8 - Final day of Philadelphia's WFIL as Famous 56. (1987)
10 - Newsman Dick Smythe leaves CHUM for CFTR after 18 years. (1987)
11 - Norm N. Nite does first show on WCBS-FM. (1973)
11 - WJMK's "Rock 'N' Roll Reunion." (1985)
16 - The last "pocket" CHUM chart is issued; subsequent issues appear in newspapers only. (1975)
18 - Art Ferguson, who would later be known as Charlie Tuna, is born in Kearney, Nebraska. (1944)
19 - Top 40 WINS switches to all news format; the music format ended the day before. (1965)
22 - Soupy Sales' first show on WNBC. (1985)
24 - CHUM moves to the now historic studios at 1331 Yonge Street, from 250 Adelaide West. (1959)
26 - Bob Dayton, whose famous "Hiroshima" comment on August 6, 1965 led to his firing at WABC, dies. (1995)
28 - KHJ becomes "Boss Radio". (1965)
28 - Progressive radio pioneer Tom Donahue dies at age 48. (1975)
28 - New York and Los Angeles radio legend Bob Dayton dies at age 62. (1995)
30 - WABC is born, replacing WJZ at 770 kc. (1953)
MAY
1 - Jonathan Schwartz does last show at WNEW-FM. (1976)
2 - WLS Chicago switches to Top 40 from country format. (1960)
2 - Dick Biondi does last show at WLS. (1963)
2 - Long-time CHUM jock Marc Chambers dies. (2008)
3 - "Chariots of Fire" is number two on the last WABC chart - there is no number one.
3 - Riot at Boston Arena rock 'n' roll show leads to Alan Freed's firing at WINS. (1958)
5 - Ron Lundy does first show at WCBS-FM. (1984)
7 - CHUM switches from oldies to all-sports as The Team. (2001)
7 - CKGM goes from oldies to an all-sports format as The Team. (2001)
9 - Alan Freed does last show at WINS. (1958)
9 - Paul Sherman, who often filled in for Alan Freed, dies. (1983)
10 - WABC New York says farewell to its top 40 format after 21 years to go all talk. (1982)
15 - Peter Tripp found guilty of 15 counts of "commercial bribery." (1961)
19 - Alan Freed and four other New York deejays indicted in payola scandal. Also indicted were one program director and two record librarians. (1960)
22 - Robert W. Morgan dies of cancer at age 60. (1998)
24 - CHTX, the former CKGM, becomes CKIS. (1991)
27 - CHUM-AM launches Canada's first top 40 format, and the first CHUM chart is published. (1957)
27 - WMGM stages famous "Charles De Gaulle" stunt on WINS. (1958)
28 - George 'Hound Dog' Lorenz dies at age 52. (1972)
29 - Jack Spector does first show at WMCA. (1961)
JUNE
2 - Alan Freed does his first show on WABC after his firing from WINS. (1958)
3 - WCBS-FM switches to the "Jack" format after nearly 33 years as an oldies outlet. (2005)
5 - Charlie Van Dyke does last show at KHJ. (1977)
5 - Cousin Brucie returns to New York radio on WCBS-FM. (1982)
7 - The last CHUM chart is published after 1,512 consecutive issues. A June 14 chart was prepared but never issued. (1986)
7 - CFTR becomes 680 News, ending a rock format of 21 years. (1993)
9 - WINS legend Jack Lacy dies. (1996)
10 - Marc Denis debuts as CKGM jock, on the all-night show. (1974)
10-11 - WCBS-FM holds first Radio Greats Reunion Weekend. Subsequent celebrations have been held in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997 and 1998.
11 - Rick Sklar's first day as program director at WABC. (1962)
14 - Hunter Hancock begins a six-day-a-week radio show on KFVD Los Angeles. The show was jazz-oriented in the beginning, but soon included rhythm and blues. Hunter remained on the air on several different L.A. stations for 20 years.
14 - Dave Maynard's farewell show on WBZ. (1991)
15 - Sandy Beach does last show on WDRC Hartford; moves to WKBW Buffalo and a long career in Western New York radio. (1968)
16 - Bob Lewis does first show on WABC, beginning a run that would last until nearly the end of the decade. (1962)
16 - Jackson Armstrong debuts on CHUM, his only Canadian stop in a long career that has included stints at about two dozen U.S. stations. (1968)
18 - WWKB switches to satellite oldies format, ending nearly 30 years of live-assist Top 40/oldies programming. (1988)
20 - Dan Neaverth joins WHTT-FM after more than 26 years at 'KB. (1988)
21 - CHFI changes call letters to CFTR. (1971)
21 - Long-time WLS jock Yvonne Daniels dies. (1991)
22 - Long-time WABC program director Rick Sklar dies of complications during routine surgery. (1992)
22 - Veteran rock radio personality Rick Shaw dies at age 53. (1998)
23 - Dick Summer's last show at WBZ. (1968)
26 - "Mad Daddy" Pete Myers does last show at WHK Cleveland. (1959)
29 - Joe McCoy named program director at WCBS-FM. (1981)
30 - WYNY New York drops pop programming for country.
(1987)
JULY
1 - At 12:01 a.m., CHUM-FM switches to a progressive rock format after five years as a classical station. (1968)
1 - Wolfman Jack dies at his North Carolina home; he did his last show just the night before. (1995)
3 - Guy King, a.k.a. Tom Clay, conducts his famous Billboard stunt in Buffalo's Shelton Square on WWOL-AM. (1955)
3 - Dan Ingram does his first show on WABC as a fill-in for Chuck Dunaway (he calls himself Not Chuck Dunaway.) (1961)
4 - WKBW-AM becomes an all-top 40 station. George "Hound Dog" Lorenz left the station prior to the new format to start his own station, WBLK-FM. (1958)
4 - WCBS-FM begins all-oldies format at 6 a.m. with Johnny Michaels as the first dee-jay. Prior to oldies, it programmed an AOR-CHR-OLD mix. (1972)
5 - Elvis Presley records "That's All Right, Mama". Shortly thereafter, Dewey Phillips of WHBC's "Red, White and Blues" show in Memphis plays a dub of the song 30 times in one show to an overwhelming response. (1954)
7 - Legendary west coast dee-jay Bobby Ocean is born. He used the name Johnny Scott early in his career. (1944)
9 - The WABC music chart debuted. Alley Oop by Dante and the Evergreens was number one. (1960)
11 - Dan Daniels does his last show at WMCA New York. (1970)
14 - WBZ goes from two hours to 10 1-2 hours of talk a day. (1969)
15 - Jocko Henderson, pioneering New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore jock, dies. (2000)
16 - CKGM-FM, which later became rocker CHOM-FM, signs on originally as a simulcast of CKGM-AM. (1963)
17 - Bruce Bradley's last show on WBZ. (1981)
18 - Former WABC, WCBS-FM and WQAM jock Roby Yonge dies. (1997)
21 - WMCA Reunion hosted by Barry Gray features legends Joe O'Brien, Harry Harrison, Jack Spector, Dan Daniels and - via phone - B. Mitchell Reed. (1980)
23 - Robert W. Morgan born in Galin, Ohio. (1937)
24 - Joe O'Brien, WMCA "Good Guy" who was at the New York station for over 30 years, dies. (2005)
26 - Charlie Van Dyke, one of rock radio great on-air and commercial, voices, is born. (1947)
27 - Hunter Hancock retires from radio after a 20-year career. His exit was hastened by the station's desire to have him play white artists. Hancock - a white man who preferred black artists - declined. (1968)
29 - Clint Buehlmann does his last show on Buffalo's WBEN-AM after more than four decades as Buffalo's morning mayor. (1977)
30 - Rock radio pioneer Maurice 'Hot Rod' Hulbert is born. (1926)
30 - WOR-FM New York switches to rock format. (1966)
31 - Two CHUM charts were issued for this day for reasons that are still unclear. This also happened once before, on May 2, 1966, for unexplained reasons. (1971)
31 - Johnny Dark does last show on WRKO. (1977)
31 - Alan Fredericks, who did the "Night Train" show on
WADO and was heard on
many WCBS-FM reunions, dies. (2005)
AUGUST
1 - The first WMCA chart is published. (1962)
1 - John R. does last show at WLAC Nashville, leaving after four decades on the air. "Gentleman John" refused a station edict to play pop music rather than R&B, so he quit. (1973)
1 - Former WOR-FM and WNEW-FM jock Bill "Rosko" Mercer dies. (2000)
2 - WHTZ New York becomes a rocker. (1983)
2 - Long-time WABC jock Chuck Leonard dies. (2004)
3 - Dick Biondi's first day at WJMK Chicago. (1984)
3 - Roger Christian, original "Boss Jock" at KHJ Los Angeles in 1965, is born. (1934)
5 - American Bandstand debuts on ABC-TV with Dick Clark as the host. Clark had been doing the show at WFIL Philadelphia, where it had been a mainstay since Bob Horn originated it in 1954. Clark's first ABC guest: Buddy Holly singing "That'll Be The Day". Clark left the show in 1989.
5 - The Real Don Steele, one of the original Boss Jocks on KHJ, dies of cancer at age 61. Steele, who held down the 3-6 p.m. slot on the original KHJ Boss lineup, had been afternoon drive at K-EARTH in Los Angeles. (1997)
6 - Bob Dayton makes infamous 'Hiroshima' comment on WABC. After making reference to the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, he played "16 Candles" by The Crests, a song that begins with the words "Happy Birthday." (1965)
6 - Wolfman Jack does first show on WNBC. It was the Wolf's first New York appearance after establishing his career in Los Angeles and Mexico. (1973)
7 - Charlie Greer, longtime WABC all-night man, does last show for that Top 40 powerhouse. (1969)
7 - Cousin Brucie does last show at WABC; he moves to WNBC. (1974)
8 - WNBC begins broadcasting in AM stereo. (1982)
8 - Bobby Ocean and Dr. Don Rose do their final shows on KFRC San Francisco. (1986)
9 - The CHUM Chart shrinks from a Top 50 to Top 30 chart in the wake of a major station upheaval that saw the firings of long-time personalities John Spragge and Bob McAdorey. (1968)
12 - Cousin Brucie's last show at WNBC. (1977)
12 - Jim Brady's last day at CFTR Toronto. (1981)
13 - Long-time CHUM announcer Terry Steele, birth name James Stromberg, dies of a fall in his bathtub. (1993)
15 - WNEW-FM carries a live broadcast of a Bruce Springsteen concert, They were ahead of their time as Springsteen had yet to emerge as a major artist. (1975)
15 - WGKT Buffalo debuts oldies format; sadly it would only last 15 months. (1988)
16 - Buffalo's WNIA, later to become WECK, signs on. (1956)
16 - WCVG Cincinnati dropped the all-Elvis format they had been carrying for about a year. Right in the middle of "My Way", a technician cut a cable providing the broadcast and that was it. WCVG switched to a business news format. It was the 12th anniversary of the King's death. (1989)
18 - Dan Daniels starts at WMCA. (1961)
19 - Cousin Brucie does first show at WNBC. (1974)
19 - Authorities raid Radio Caroline and shut down the pirate station on the North Sea. One deejay said, "It's the worst day of my life." (1989)
22 - CKNW Vancouver carries a Beatle concert live on the air. It lasted 27 minutes and was hosted by the legendary Red Robinson. Copies of this concert, which cost $5.25 to attend, have been extensively bootlegged.
23 - Jack Carney, who was featured on Cruisin' 1958 re-creating his show on WIL, is born in Los Angeles. (1932)
25 - Sandy Beach returns to Buffalo radio on WBEN. (1997)
25 - John Mahjor's last show at CHUM. (1983)
25 - Rock jock and journalist Pete Fornatale, best known for his "Mixed Bag" show at WNEW-FM and WFUV, is born in The Bronx. (1945)
27 - After dropping oldies to switch to sports May 7, 2001, CHUM returns to oldies. (2002)
28 - Cousin Brucie does first show at WABC. (1961)
28 - Larry Lujack's final show at WLS. (1987)
28 - WABC's Bob Dayton, of the famous 'Hiroshima' comment, dies at age 62. (1995)
29 - KYA San Francisco has the honour of presenting the last Beatles concert, held at Candlestick Park. (1966)
29 - Pete Griffin leaves CHUM-FM after 17 years for CFNY. (1980)
29 - Joe Donovan does last show on WHAS Louisville,
Kentucky.
after 20 years, 16 on the all-night show playing oldies. (1997)
SEPTEMBER
1 - Ron Lundy opens first WABC show with "Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones. (1965)
1 - Long-time oldies station FM 108 (CING-FM Burlington, Ont.) switches to a dance format. (1991)
2 - Dick Heatherton's first show on WCBS-FM. (1972)
2 - The Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame opens in Cleveland. Dick Clark, Alan Freed and Tom Donahue are the only deejays with plaque in the Hall, despite the fact many others have made important contributions. (1995)
2 - Howard Stern does first syndicated show at Q-107 Toronto and CHOM-FM Montreal. (1997)
4 - Several U.S. stations ban the Rolling Stones song "Street Fighting Man", fearing it would incite riots. The song peaks at only #48 on the Billboard chart. (1968)
5 - Bob Magee does first morning show at all-oldies CHUM-AM. (1989)
7 - Dan Ingram, often called the "thinking man's deejay", is born. (1934)
7 - Pioneer deejay Al Benson dies at age 70. (1978)
7 - Howard Stern's first show on WNBC. (1982)
7 - Jim Connors, about whom Harry Chapin's WOLD is patterned, is born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
8 - WFIL begins Top 40 programming that it calls "The Pop Explosion." (1966)
8 - Alan Freed debuts on WINS New York, initially on late-evening shift, later moving to early evening. (1954)
9 - George Michael does first show at WABC. (1974)
10 - WIBG Philadelphia ends its long-standing top 40 format with Hy Lit putting Philadelphia's "Grand Old Lady" to sleep. (1977)
11 - David Bowie's latest hit "Telling Lies" debuts on the Internet before it is delivered to radio stations, a departure from the standard practice. The song is downloaded 46,000 times in the first four days it is available. (1996)
12 - George 'Hound Dog' Lorenz joins WKBW. He would stay there for three years before leaving in a dispute over music policy. (1955)
13 - The U.S. House of Representatives officially made the practice of receiving payola illegal. Two years later, Alan Freed was fined $3,000 and given a suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to two counts of commercial bribery. By then, the payola scandal had effectively ruined his career. (1960)
14 - In a first, Hey Jude and Those Were The Days tied for the number one spot on the CHUM Chart. It also happened the following week and ever again. (1968)
14 - CHTX Montreal, the former CKGM, moves from 980 to 990 with a power increase to 50,000 watts. (1990)
15 - WMGM begins a 14-year run at 1050 on the New York AM dial, replacing WHN. (1948)
15 - WKBW becomes "The Great American Music Machine" and an era in personality radio ends. (1973)
16 - Former rocker WMCA switches to religious format. (1989)
17 - The first 33 1-3 RPM record is demonstrated by RCA Victor in New York. Columbia records would begin manufacturing it commercially 17 years later. (1931)
18 - WFIL Philadelphia holds deejay reunion. (1986)
18 - Ron Lundy does last show at WCBS-FM, ending a 33-year career in New York radio. (1997)
18 - Jack L. Cooper, credited with being the first African-American DJ, is born in Memphis. (1988)
19 - Herb Oscar Anderson exits WABC. (1968)
19 - Ed Baer does last show at WMCA as station prepares to switch to all-talk format. (1970)
20 - John Lennon is guest DJ at Los Angeles radio station KHJ. He plays "You and Me Against The World" by Helen Reddy to keep his record company happy. (1974)
20 - WRKO plays its last song after 14 years of Top 40. (1981)
20 - "Back and Rockin," 97 Rock Buffalo, N.Y. returns after a three and a-half year absence.
21 - Harry Harrison signs off for the last time at WMCA; he resurfaces at WABC two days later. (1968)
21 - WMCA switches from Top 40 to talk format called "Dialogue Radio." (1970)
24 - The movie "Mr. Rock 'N' Roll' debuts with Alan Freed starring as himself. Among those appearing in the film are Chuck Berry, Little Richard and The Moonglows. (1957)
24 - WBZ Boston holds "Grease Weekend." (1972)
27 - Last day of music for WRKO Boston. (1981)
27 - Howard Stern does last show on WNBC; he is fired three days later. (1985)
27 - Alison Steele, the "Night Bird" of WNEW-FM fame, dies. (1995)
28 - Kenny Everett's last show at BBC Radio One. (1973)
29 - CING-FM Burlington, Ontario, ends oldies programming after 12 years. (1990)
30 - CFUN returns to Vancouver after years as CKVN. (1973)
30 - Long-time WABC all-night jock Charlie Greer dies. (1996)
OCTOBER
1 - WMJI Cleveland holds Basement Weekend. (1988)
2 - Rosko resigns on the air at WOR-FM. (1967)
2 - Robert W. Morgan does last show at KHJ before leaving for WIND Chicago - he returned in 1972 before leaving again. (1970)
2 - Ralph Lockwood begins nine-year stay as CKGM morning personality. (1972)
3 - The station later known as Oldies 104 (WHTT-FM Buffalo, New York) signs on as WWOL-FM.
3 - Dick Biondi does first show on WCFL. (1967)
5 - Dr. Don Rose does his last WFIL Philadelphia show. (1973)
6 - WCBS-FM introduces "The Young Sound" with live deejays, a forerunner of their oldies format. (1969)
6 - Buffalo legend Tom Shannon debuts on WHTT-FM. (1997)
7 - WNBC New York becomes WFAN. (1988)
8 - Live DJ's make first appearance on WOR-FM. (1966)
10 - KQV Pittsburgh ends top 40 format. (1975)
10 - First appearance of deejays at WOR-FM. (1966)
12 - WRKO "Arko-Matic" debuts as an automated rocker. (1966)
13 - Scott Muni is fired after 31 years at WNEW-FM; Dave Herman is also let go.
15 - Al Brady's first day as WABC program director - a month later he fired popular deejays Harry Harrison, Chuck Leonard and George Michael in what has become known as the "November Massacre." (1979)
19 - Montreal's CKGM-FM becomes CHOM-FM. (1971)
19 - Dan Ingram debuts at WCBS-FM. (1991)
20 - Dave Johnson, long-time CHUM-AM and CFGM personality, dies of a heart attack. (1980)
21 - Roby Yonge is fired on air at WABC for breaking format and speculating on the possible death of Paul McCartney. (1969)
21 - Frankie Crocker of WWRL, WBLS, WMCA and WRKS fame, dies. (2000)
22 - Last day of WOR-FM before call letter change. Station becomes WRKS. (1972)
22 - Traffic reporter Jane Dornacher is killed in helicopter accident while on the air at WNBC. (1986)
24 - Former WMCA "Good Guy" Dean Anthony dies. (2003)
25 - Nat D. Williams breaks the colour barrier in the south, as he does first show on WDIA Memphis. (1948)
26 - Dan Ingram does first morning show on WABC after years of afternoon drive. (1979)
27 - KFWB "Color Radio" original Bill Ballance is born. (1918)
28 - Bwana Johnny, of KJR, KYA, KGB, KLIF, WWDJ and WFUN fame, dies. (2005)
30 - WOR-FM becomes WXLO. (1972)
30 - Ralph Lockwood does his final show on CJAD and bids adieu to Montreal for a morning show on WSBA York, Pennsylvania.
31 - Rosko debuts at WNEW-FM. (1967)
31 - First broadcast of WKBW's famed remake of 'War of the
Worlds' (1968)
NOVEMBER
2 - WADO, home of such legends as Jocko Henderson and Alan Fredericks, signs on at 1280 kc. (1959)
2 - Former WGR program director and midday personality Larry Anderson dies. (2002)
7 - "Joltin' Joe" Howard signs on WCHB Detroit, the first station in the country to be built from the start by black owners. (1956)
9 - Dick Dale heads a tribute to KRLA Los Angeles. The legendary surf guitarist is joined by members of The Turtles, Hank Ballard, The Letterman and Spirit among others. (1986)
9 - All-oldies WOGL-FM comes into being after demise of WCAU. (1987)
11 - Sebastian Stone (WOR-FM) dies. (1987)
14 - Dan Neaverth does his 25th anniversary show at WWKB. (1986)
15 - WWKB hosts Weekend Reunion. (1986)
16 - Harry Harrison's debut at WMCA; he stayed there nine years. (1959)
16 - Jonathan Schwartz does first show at WNEW-FM. (1967)
17 - Elton John performs live in the studio on WABC-FM. The results can be heard on the album 11-17-70. (1970)
17 - George Michael does last show at WABC. (1979)
17 - WINS legend Stan Z. Burns dies. (1990)
18 - Howard Stern's first show on WXRK New York. (1985)
19 - "The Sunday Morning Oldies Show" with Roger Ashby debuts on CHUM-AM. (1980)
20 - Bruce Hayes, KFWB's first morning man, dies. (1994)
21 - Alan Freed is fired by WABC radio after he refuses to sign an affidavit stating he had not participated in bribes. (1959)
21 - Al Boliska does first show at CKEY, after six years as morning man at CHUM-AM. (1963)
21 - Harry Harrison does his last show at WABC, ending an 11-year run. (1979)
22 - Many U.S. rock stations suspend programming in light of the death of President Kennedy. (1963)
24 - Tom Clay, whose long career took him to Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, San Diego and Cincinnati, dies. (1995)
23 - The BBC banned The Rolling Stones from its airwaves after the group was late for two radio shows carried on the network. (1964)
26 - Dan Ingram does first morning show at WABC after long stint on afternoon drive. (1979)
27 - Chuck Leonard does his last show at WABC. (1979)
27 - Jack Carney, WIL and KMOX star who was featured on Cruisin '1958, dies. (1984)
28 - Pat St. John's first show on WNEW-FM. (1987)
28 - Bill Drake, who introduced the Drake format to Top 40 radio in the 1960s, dies. (2008)
28 - Chuck Chandler, who broadcast live from the John Lennon-Yoko Ono Bed-In in 1969, dies in VIctoria. (2017)
29 - Dick Clark, host of "American Bandstand" for 33 years, is born in Bronxville, New York. (1929)
29 - Dean Anthony debuts at WMCA. (1964)
30 - Dick Clark, host of American Bandstand for 33 years,
is born in Mount Vernon, New York. (1929)
DECEMBER
2 - Jay Nelson does first morning show on CHUM-AM Toronto; he would last 17 years. (1963)
2 - Don Imus starts at WNBC. (1971)
2 - WQXR becomes WQEW. (1992)
2 - Long-time Buffalo morning man Clint Buehlmann dies at age 85. (1997)
2 - Allan Waters, who brought Top 40 to CHUM in 1957, dies at age 84. (2005)
4 - Jack "Your Leader" Armstrong is born. (1945)
4 - Billboard reports that New York Supreme Court Justice Carroll J. Walker has denied Alan Freed any further use of the nickname "Moon Dog" on his radio show. (1954)
5 - Alan Freed's movie "Rock Rock Rock" debuts to packed houses in New York. (1955)
6 - WRKS New York becomes "classic soul". (1964)
7 - CKGM Montreal signs on. (1959)
7 - New York's WABC begins its top 40 era. (1960)
7 - Don Daynard's first show at CHFI-FM. (1987)
9 - Glenn Walters, former CKEY, CKFH and CFTR personality who worked in 14 markets over a 40-year career, dies at age 62. (1999)
9 - Tom Fulton, whose stops included CKFH and CJCA, dies of an apparent heart attack after finishing his morning show at AM 740. (2002)
11 - Joey Reynolds does first show on WOR-AM. (1995)
12 - George "Hound Dog" Lorenz signs on WBLK-FM. The call letters stand for Benjamin L. Kulick, a major financial backer of the station. (1964)
12 - Don Imus debuts on WNBC. (1971)
13 - Pioneer deejay Vernon Winslow dies. (1993)
14 - At 2 p.m., radio stations around the world observe a 10-minute tribute for John Lennon, who had been shot to death six days earlier. Some went silent, others played Beatle records. (1980)
15 - Alan Freed is born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. (1942)
17 - WPLJ New York becomes WWPR. (1987)
18 - Canadian radio legend Norman B. (Blakely) is born in Hamilton, Ontario. (1943)
18 - Scott Muni does first show on WNEW-FM. (1967)
18 - Scruff Connors, who locked himself in the studios of Toronto's Q-107 and played "Stairway to Heaven" over and over, dies. (2016)
19 - John Landecker's first show at WLUP Chicago. (1983)
21 - After one year and four days, WWPR is changed back to WPLJ. (1988)
24 - Long-time morning man Jay Nelson does final show on CHUM. (1980)
24 - Baltimore legend Hot Rod Hulbert dies. (1996)
24 - WABC and WFIL jock George Michael dies. (2009)
25 - Bert Ferguson, often called the "Branch Rickey" of radio, dies at age 82. (1997)
26 - Brother John Rydgren, who lent his voice to ABC Radio's "Love" format, dies. (1988)
29 - WMCA plays the Beatles' "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"; claims it is the first U.S. airing of a Beatles song. (1963)
30 - Mike Williams, formerly of CKFH, CKGM, CFOX, CJED and CJSB, dies in a car accident. (1985)
31 - Hal Weaver, whose stops included at CKRD, CJCA,
CHLO, CKOC, CHUM, CFUN and
CJOR, dies. (1971)