04-30-2010
( Reply#: 5504 ) |
Tom J |
You can go to the WLS website at http://www.947chicago.com to check things out and to listen online.
Tom |
05-01-2010
( Reply#: 5505 ) |
Bill Bucko |
On EBay, search for Dick Biondi WLS and you'll see a nice selection of original broadcasts (including commercials) available on CD.
I have most of the 1962-1963 CDs in my collection--though not this very early one, from June 1960: http://cgi.ebay.com/Dick-Biondi-Radio-Show-WLS-Chicago-6-7-1960-Early-Rock-/130386011238?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Music_CDs&hash=item1e5b9ca466 .
Most are issued by Rock-it Radio, who offer a number of doo-wop, rockabilly etc. programs online weekly ... HOWEVER, unfortunately their website has been hacked, as Norton Internet Security reports 3 malicious drive-by downloads on their site. I'd wait till the site has been cleaned up before visiting them.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
05-01-2010
( Reply#: 5506 ) |
Tom J |
Thanks, Bill! I have my eye on that May 2, 1963, air check. The description says that it was his last WLS broadcast. If that is true, it seems strange that his last broadcast would be on the very night of his third anniversary with the station.
Is that a good CD to buy? Do any of them that you own have the "Pizza Song" on them?
Tom |
05-01-2010
( Reply#: 5509 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Bill, can you tell us more about these recordings? |
05-02-2010
( Reply#: 5514 ) |
Bill Bucko |
Well, they're what are called "airchecks" ... actual recordings that some listener made from off the air, onto a home tape recorder (and thus not hi-fi). They include commercials, weather, and sometimes news items. I find them very enjoyable. Most if not all of the Ebay listings include a summary of contents. My favorite is Dec. 4, 1962, because of the great music: "Go Away Little Girl," "He's a Rebel," "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes." The best joke is on the May 2, 1963 program (hilarious introduction to the news segment):
"And now ... that handsome, talented, well-read, authoritative ... he's not here, huh? Well, well, let's listen to Mort Crimm."
They include Dick Biondi's wisecracks, dedications, etc.; and on the August 21, 1964 recording he does sing a little less than one minute of his pizza song (unaccompanied, i.e. it's not the original recording).
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
05-03-2010
( Reply#: 5519 ) |
Bill Bucko |
In the aftermath of the hacker attack, Rock-It Radio has now set up a new, malware-free page for their programs: http://www.rockitradio.net/programs.html . Check them out! Doo-wop, rockabilly, and other oldies galore. It's free, and you can download them in mp3 format.
Bill Bucko
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
05-04-2010
( Reply#: 5525 ) |
Jim Plummer |
So, does that mean that he was not fired for telling an off-color joke? I had several people tell me at the time they had heard the broadcast. |
05-04-2010
( Reply#: 5527 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Plummer
So, does that mean that he was not fired for telling an off-color joke? I had several people tell me at the time they had heard the broadcast.
I read somewhere on the Internet that Uncle Dick got into a heated argument with the Program Director, Clark Weber, that actually came to blows. They wanted Dick to do more commercials during his show, and he was vehemently opposed to doing so.
Take that for what it's worth. I can't remember where I read that, or else I would provide a link.
Do a Google on WLS and Dick Biondi, and maybe you will find the site.
Tomster
P.S.
I found out where I got the information, but it was the General Sales Manager that Dick got into it with, not the Program Director.
Here's the link.
http://www.wlshistory.com/WLS60/ |
05-05-2010
( Reply#: 5530 ) |
Bill Bucko |
The rumor swept Morton H.S. that Dick Biondi had been fired because of a joke, "If women's skirts get any shorter, they'll have to ..." [rest deleted]; but that appears to be nothing but an urban legend.* Very definitely there is no joke even remotely similar, on any of the airchecks I've heard. The story of the flying ash tray, on the other hand, is, I believe, recounted on the WLS site Tom J. links to.
* Reminds me of another rumor we heard, in 1965, that singer Bobby Fuller ("I Fought the Law") committed suicide by drinking gasoline. Also not true.
Bill
Warren G. Harding Class of '63 |
05-05-2010
( Reply#: 5532 ) |
Jim Plummer |
Gosh, not even the same dirty joke the class of 62 claimed he had said! I just remember tuning in one night and he wasn't on anymore. By the way, I once saw Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers at the Ill. State Fair and thought they were pretty good. Chuck Bill used to do some kid shows on channel 7. |
