The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

(left to right) Ed Sciaky & Janis Ian
Basement of Thomas Hall at Temple University
in the WRTI-FM Hallway
Saturday, May 13, 1967

On Saturday, May 13, 1967, Janis Ian traveled from her home in New York City to Philadelphia to appear on a college radio station. At that time, the broadcast outlet was completely student run. This visit was just after the release of Janis' single, Society's Child" on the Forecast label, part of Verve. She appeared on a Saturday evening four hour broadcast (8 pm to 12 midnight) called "Broadside."

The program was originally hosted by Barry Berg and was mainly folk music. However, after Berg's departure, the show had a new host, Broadcast Pioneers member Ed Sciaky and it took a different direction.

The scope of the music still included folk music but now included progressive and underground rock. It was during this time, Ed Sciaky developed his on-air delivery. WRTI-FM, at that time was a training ground. The studios were located in the basement of Thomas Hall. The building was once the Park Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. Built in 1886, it was the oldest structure on the Temple campus (predating Baptist Temple by a few years) and was demolished in 1999 to build a new dorm.

The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com