12-29-2006
( Reply#: 694 ) |
Bill Bucko |
OMIGOD, Dick Biondi was the GREATEST!!!!!!!
Go to http://www.palmsradio.com/store.html (or search E-Bay) for 3 very entertaining airchecks (off-the-air recordings, with commercials, etc.) of Dick Biondi on Chicago's WLS, from 1962.
I currently own 2 Dick Biondi shows on CD from Rock-It Radio, and 2 from another source.
As I remember, a rumor swept Morton High in 1963 when WLS's Clark Webber* fired Dick Biondi: the rumor was that Dick had been fired for telling an off-color joke, about how if women's skirts got any shorter they would have to ... ... [omitted, in the interests of good taste!] The truth appears to be that during an argument Dick threw an ashtray at Webber because he thought there were too many commercials (see http://www.wlshistory.com/WLS60/ and http://www.radiotimeline.com/am89wls.htm ).
SAY, I own about 30 WLS Silver Dollar Surveys from 1961-1966 (bought on E-Bay; price varies with date, but most go for around $5) ... boy, do THEY bring back the memories! E-mail me with a date (or a song title), and I'll see if I can send you a scan.
MUST SEE, all WLS fans: a website on WLS top 40 surveys from 1960 - on: http://www.users.qwest.net/~oldiesloon/wlsyear.htm
(these are in typewritten form, not pictures).
There's also an excellent book compiled from the WLS surveys, listing all songs by artist: "Chicago Top 40 Charts, 1960-1969" by Ronald Smith. See http://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Top-40-Charts-1960-1969/dp/0595196144
* Yes, the same bald-headed Clark Webber that fellow DJ Ron Riley used to taunt, about the TurtleWax Webber used on his head rubbing off on the headphones.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
12-29-2006
( Reply#: 696 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Bill Bucko
OMIGOD, Dick Biondi was the GREATEST!!!!!!!
Go to http://www.palmsradio.com/store.html (or search E-Bay) for 3 very entertaining airchecks (off-the-air recordings, with commercials, etc.) of Dick Biondi on Chicago's WLS, from 1962.
I currently own 2 Dick Biondi shows on CD from Rock-It Radio, and 2 from another source.
As I remember, a rumor swept Morton High in 1963 when WLS's Clark Webber* fired Dick Biondi: the rumor was that Dick had been fired for telling an off-color joke, about how if women's skirts got any shorter they would have to ... ... [omitted, in the interests of good taste!] The truth appears to be that during an argument Dick threw an ashtray at Webber because he thought there were too many commercials (see http://www.wlshistory.com/WLS60/ and http://www.radiotimeline.com/am89wls.htm ).
SAY, I own about 30 WLS Silver Dollar Surveys from 1961-1966 (bought on E-Bay; price varies with date, but most go for around $5) ... boy, do THEY bring back the memories! E-mail me with a date (or a song title), and I'll see if I can send you a scan.
MUST SEE, all WLS fans: a website on WLS top 40 surveys from 1960 - on: http://www.users.qwest.net/~oldiesloon/wlsyear.htm
(these are in typewritten form, not pictures).
There's also an excellent book compiled from the WLS surveys, listing all songs by artist: "Chicago Top 40 Charts, 1960-1969" by Ronald Smith. See http://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Top-40-Charts-1960-1969/dp/0595196144
* Yes, the same bald-headed Clark Webber that fellow DJ Ron Riley used to taunt, about the TurtleWax Webber used on his head rubbing off on the headphones.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63
Bill, the very same rumor about the reason for Dick Biondi's firing was circulating around Hammond High. Like you said, he supposedly said, "If the girls' skirts get any shorter, they will have ..."
Thanks for the tips about the recordings of some of Biondi's shows. I will check out those links.
I had not thought about "Clark Webber" in YEARS, until I saw your mention of him. I might never have thought of that name again. Thanks for reminding me about him. This reminiscing is FUN!
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/Web3PICT0018.jpg[/IMG] |
12-30-2006
( Reply#: 699 ) |
Tom J |
WOW!
I listened to Dick Biondi's show last night, and it felt like the clock had been turned back 45 years!
I wish some of you would "tune in" next week to WZZN's Internet streaming and listen to Dick Biondi's show with me. They have a chat feature, so we can actually chat with one another as we listen to the show! Is that cool or what???
Dick Biondi is on from 9:00 PM til midnight on weeknights.
Once again, the link to the WZZN website is http://www.947thezone.com/
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/Web3PICT0018.jpg[/IMG] |
01-26-2007
( Reply#: 744 ) |
duane |
Not to mention Dex Card and the Silver Dollar Survey, and later Larry Lujack.
I remember there was always competition between WLS 890 on the am dial, and another am station that was just up the dial, although I can't think of it. Supposedly WLS stood for World's Largest Store (Sears?) and this other station's call letters were for some labor organization (I think).
OK now for all you Hammond Radio Listeners - let's get to the REAL radio Station - Hammond's very own WJOB (which stood for John O'brien, I believe). Who remembers Jan Gabriel (Hey Jan-baby!) and the dedication line. All our friends would call in to say hi to their friends and we all had aliases. Some of my best friends were Count Dracula, Question Mark, Ambulance Chaser, Pig pups, CYO bum, my brother was the 18 year old kid, and I was the 18 year old kids 14 year old brother. |
01-26-2007
( Reply#: 745 ) |
Tom J |
Duane:
The station you are trying to remember was WCFL, which was affiliated with the AFL-CIO. You were right about their being associated with a labor organization.
You are also correct in saying that WLS's call letters stood for "World's Largest Store." They were owned by Sears. I don't know if Sears still owns them or not.
I have just vague recollections of WJOB and Jan Gabriel. I must have listened almost exclusively to WLS and WCFL.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/Web3PICT0018.jpg[/IMG] |
02-01-2007
( Reply#: 770 ) |
seejay2 |
I remember seeing Biondi when he came to Shoppers World (remember that place?)down off of 41 in Highland just a little north of where Ultra is now. There is no difference in the 60s Biondi and who that character now. Jayne Mansfield showed up at Shoppers World, too (not at the same time). Then the place burned down...........CJ |
02-01-2007
( Reply#: 771 ) |
Dave |
Shopper's World! I remember buying Johnny Lightning cars there. (A Hot Wheels wannabe, c1970.) |
02-01-2007
( Reply#: 772 ) |
duane |
Do you remember the competition between shoppers world and Topps, which is where ULTRA now stands? Shoppers world was there first, I believe, then Topps moved in. Shoppers world put a a row of very large billboards across the property line dividing their parking lot from Topps. They aslo put up the tall water tower so people would see their name as they came up over the rise on Indianapolis BLVD, just south of "Frog town" and Stanley's bait shop and trout ponds (current location of Bus Line to Ohare). |
02-02-2007
( Reply#: 773 ) |
Bill Bucko |
I found a small photo of the old Shoppers World online, somewhere (don't remember where).
Omigod, you mean "Stanley's: the WORLD'S WORMIEST BAIT SHOP"? With that sign right by the road, featuring a large model of a long, ripply, bright pink worm ... smiling, with two short antennae (the latter not anatomically correct)? I always looked for that sign!
If it had existed in Shep's day, he CERTAINLY would have mentioned it. It was a classic.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
02-03-2007
( Reply#: 774 ) |
duane |
Shep would have definitely classifed Stanley's bait shop worm as "slob art." Another that would have probably qualified was the "Frank 'n' Stein" statue at the restaurant that was in Gary, right near the US-12/US20 split. Do you recall that? It was a huge statue of Frankenstien, holding a hot dog (the Frank) in one hand, and a Stein of beer or soda in the other. I've looked for photos of that on the web and have never found any. I don't think that fast food restaurant was around for very long, but we used to see it on our way to the Dunes.
What all of this has to do with the topic of Dick Biondi is beyond me! |
02-03-2007
( Reply#: 775 ) |
Tom J |
Well, are any of you guys "tuning in?"
I catch Dick Biondi's show practically every night, Monday through Friday, which are the nights when he is on the air. His show is from 9 PM til midnight, but I usually hit the sack about 10:30 PM. I sometimes hang in there til midnight on Friday nights. Did that last night.
You are missing out on some fun, if you are not listening.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/Web3PICT0018.jpg[/IMG] |
02-03-2007
( Reply#: 776 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by duane
Shep would have definitely classifed Stanley's bait shop worm as "slob art." Another that would have probably qualified was the "Frank 'n' Stein" statue at the restaurant that was in Gary, right near the US-12/US20 split. Do you recall that? It was a huge statue of Frankenstien, holding a hot dog (the Frank) in one hand, and a Stein of beer or soda in the other. I've looked for photos of that on the web and have never found any. I don't think that fast food restaurant was around for very long, but we used to see it on our way to the Dunes.
What all of this has to do with the topic of Dick Biondi is beyond me!
Duane:
Doesn't bother me in the least, if we get off topic. I just enjoy all of this reminiscing and am glad it is going on in here.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/Web3PICT0018.jpg[/IMG] |
04-03-2007
( Reply#: 898 ) |
Pro2am |
Tom,
Dick was on oldies station - "Magic 104" WJMK (104.3 FM) - in Chicago for a long, long time. A format change was instituted a couple of years ago and that was the last we heard of those guys. Nice to find out that Dick is still on the air. Other 1960s veterans had come and gone on 104, including one of my all-time favorites from WCFL, Ron Brittain (I think it was spelled with two "t"s but I could be wrong).
My Dad and Dick knew each other from their Chicago radio days. I still have a Christmas card Dick sent me in 1966.
Mike Rapchak Jr.
Hammond, IN
--------------------------
quote:
Originally posted by Tom J
He was THE greatest DJ when I was just entering my teens in the early 60's. He was on WLS radio, and EVERYONE listened to WLS back then.
Well, the good news is that he is back on the air at a Chicago radio station. I have just found out that he has a show from 9:00 PM to midnight weeknights on 94.7 WZZN FM. I can't wait until tonight to catch his show!
I have to listen via the Internet, since I live about 350 miles from Chicago now and cannot receive that station. I get a good quality sound from their Internet streaming, so it is not a problem for me at all to listen to them via the Net.
Here's a link to that station.
http://www.947thezone.com/
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/Web3PICT0018.jpg[/IMG]
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