(Left to right) Bill Vitka, Michael Tearson, T. Morgan, Rod Carson
Kal Rudman, Annie Haslam and moderator Dean Tyler
(All seven are members of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
(Photo taken by Broadcast Pioneers Board Member Bob Kravitz)
FEBRUARY LUNCHEON REVIEW :
The program kicked off with 2009 Person of the Year Bill Wright, Sr. performing Valentine’s Day songs, member Bucky Clark accompanying him on the piano, and everybody else singing along. A great and memorable time for all.
The February luncheon theme was “Album Oriented Radio” or AOR. AOR started on the FM band and became a regional phenomenon that grew audience, market share and competition.
In alphabetical order, our panel was:
Rod Carson, former WDAS-FM jock on "Hyski's Underground"
Annie Haslam, solo artist & lead singer of the rock group "Renaissance"
T. Morgan, who started AOR in Philadelphia in 1967 on WIFI-FM
Kal Rudman, founder and publisher of "Friday Morning Quarterback"
Michael Tearson, former WMMR Music Director and jock
Bill Vitka, WMMR's first news director, now with Fox News Radio
In addition, live on the telephone we had Broadcast Pioneers member Allan Hotlen who hired Dave Herman to do the Marconi Experiment on WMMR in 1968.
A portion of the panel’s comments are included below. For the complete audio:
Listen with Real Audio!
Listen with Windows Media!
Moderating our panel was the legendary Dean Tyler, who told us, “We were playing top 40’s in the 70’s and then came 'the freedom format (AOR).' FM Jocks played longer cuts, often from the obscure and unknown artists. FM became the progressive format.”
On the phone was Alan Hotlen. He said, "We created the Marconi Experiment…playing what was then called, 'underground radio,' which became progressive radio. It was great fun. I love Philadelphia and wish I was with you today."
Annie Haslam, solo artist and lead singer of the rock group Renaissance said, “ If it wasn’t for the DJs in Philly, the band (Renaissance) would not have been well known. Unfortunately, today there’s great music out there that never gets heard.” We also found out that Annie is also an artist who uses paints and an easel.
Rod Carson, former WDAS-FM radio jock on “Hyski’s Underground,” told us, “My favorite times were at WIBG and WDAS. We had this wall full of albums. We could play anything we wanted-- as long as Hy Lit’s signature was on it-- plus we could bring in our own stuff. It was inventive, creative and great memories.”
Broadcast Pioneers Board member and 2007 Person of the Year Kal Rudman said, “There are a few secrets I can reveal. I’m not going to write a book, too many people would have to leave the country. Some of the adventures over the years were hair raising and often dangerous. Back then, some of us even carried guns.”
T. Morgan, who started AOR in Philadelphia on WIFI-FM (owned by Broadcast Pioneers member Mel Gollub), noted, “The record companies were supportive of the format. We had so much music to choose from each week. From Dick Clark to the people in this room, it’s where it all began. And as an aside, I can’t believe they didn’t choose Philly for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
Michael “Mad Dog” Tearson commented on the number of projects underway on the Internet at Radio That Doesn’t Suck.com. "We can do anything and everything. I do what most DJs can’t do anymore, pick the music and play it!”
Bill Vitka, WMMR’s first news director who is now with Fox News Radio, said,“I was hired to write the news for the jocks. It was 15 minutes long! I was behind the scenes and all of a sudden on the air working with historic voices. I even did the weather and on one hot summer day actually tried to cook eggs on a sidewalk and report on it. Don’t try that!”
(Left to right) College Student Tim Deaner and Vice-President Frank Stone
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
(Photo taken by Broadcast Pioneers President Jerry Klein)
HEARD AFTER THE LUNCHEON:
“Impressive, compelling, informative. I think Hy really would have identified with a lot of these guys. He brought them along. He’s one of the guys that said FM is where it’s at!” Sam Lit
“Very interesting and very informative afternoon. Radio is here to stay. The people in this room are entertainers and people (who listen to radio) want to be entertained.” Paul Big Bear
“I found it extremely interesting. Great people!” Carol Leebron
“It seems to me every luncheon that we have gets better and better. I was there when the format changed and happened. This was a topper, unbelievable! ” Tom Moran
“Unbelievable star power. The immortals of radio and the super stars of our business are here. The audience was the who’s who of radio, including Ed Hurst and all the others. There’s a bright future with a lot of talent there.” Sheree Goldflies
“I thought it was a good group of people. They talked too much, but so do I. If there’s going to be a radio of the future, we need again to become original. No more sterile radio!” Dean Tyler
“I’ll do my Kal Rudman impression. You see, when you do Kal, you have to make a good impression. Pat Delsi was doing radio when Broad Street was a prairie! Really, it was a great day. The great thing about AOR radio was it gave you time to go to the bathroom and back. In Top 40 radio all you had was three minutes. With AOR, you had fifteen.” Steve Ross
A February luncheon mystery:
Who was that attractive lady in the back corner of the room who just happened to tell us the lining of her top coat (leopard) matched her under….?
© 2011, Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
All Rights Reserved
The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com