If you were around Cleveland in the 50's, 60's, and early '70's, I have some Classic radio (airchecks) for you. Emphasis is given on the DJ's and station jingles, and some commercials, and less on the songs, which are shortened. (Courtesy of www.reelradio.com.)


Here is Alan Freed's Moondog show, on WJW radio, Cleveland, where the term "Rock'n'Roll"* was coined.This is from 1954 and about 6 minutes long. (Reelradio Uncle Ricky Collection)
*The term "Rock'n'Roll" was in usage before that, and was even used in some earlier rhythm and blues records, but had somewhat different connotations, probably the most common as a slang term for the sex act. It is believed by many that Alan Freed borrowed that term to apply it specifically to a specific genre of evolving music that he chose to play on his show. Some dispute this theory, and attribute the coining of that term to others, but whatever the case, Cleveland certainly payed it's dues in the early evolution of Rock'n'Roll, and it's radio format, and the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame deservedly resides here in Cleveland.

This is from Cleveland's legendary WIXY-1260 from October 1966. About 18 minutes of Your Leeedah! - Jackson Armstrong --- and his gorilla! (Reelradio Richard Kaufman collection)

I have a page of '67-'69 WIXY Top 60 surveys scanned HERE . I try to scan in the "current" and "last" weeks surveys for those particular years.

Here's one from Christmas-time 1977, on Cleveland's 1220 WGAR with a little wit from jock Bob James. (Reelradio Dan Haber Collection)

I can't forget the Motor City's really legendary Big 8 (CKLW), who's strong clear 50,000 watt signal was aimed straight at Cleveland. Here is about 13 minutes of Ed Mitchell from January, 1970. The Big 8 was actually licensed to Windsor, Ontario. The Big 8 was my favorite in the late 60's and early 70's. (Reelradio Gene Knight collection)

Here's one from WKYC 1100, Cleveland with DJ Fred Winston. The check says "summer" '68, but May '68 on the title bar, but by the newer stuff played, I'd place this check in mid August to early September. POWER RADIO KY, a 50,000 watt boomer; WKYC aka KYW in the mid 50's to mid 60's was always Cleveland's "underdog", was always losing out in the ratings to WHK and then WIXY (5K and 1K watts respectively), but always hung in there none the less.

And who can forget CHICKENMAN? He's everywhere, he's everywhere! And he's here,too!

Here is the home page to www.reelradio.com, with hundreds of stations to choose from. May you find a memory or two in your town!


This link goes to the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame Museum

And I can't forget a link to my Home Page

Much more NOSTALGIA HERE, .wav clips of my obscure record collection, old DJ's and commercials, and more!

GO < b>TRIBE!