The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

WE REMEMBER :

Frank Chirkinian, 84, passed away on Friday, March 4th, after a bout with cancer. Frank was the producer and director of 38 of the CBS-TV Golf Tournaments. He also did many other sporting events. He also produced the first Olympics live coverage in 1960. Chirkinian had his broadcast roots here in Philadelphia. Broadcast Pioneers Board Member Dick Kearney and Frank started at Channel 10 in 1950 back on 1622 Chestnut Street. It was while running camera for Chirkinian that Dick Kearney won his national Emmy.

Joel A. Spivak
outside his home
circa 1943

Former Philly guy Joel Spivak passed away on March 4th at the age of 75. While many know him as the "Live at Five" news anchor at WRC-TV, and radio talk show host of WRC Radio (now WWRC), we will always remember him for his time at the WCAU stations. Here in "The Quaker City," Spivak was known as the host of "Morning Newsbeat" on WCAU Radio (now WPHT), but he was so much more. He was also known for his Channel 10 TV work as host of a local news program with a live studio audience. Joel will be missed but fondly remembered.

On Saturday, March 13th, Former Philadelphian Rick Friedman died at the age of 64 after a battle with lung cancer. Many of us remember him from his Philly days. Whether it was working with other college students at Temple's WRTI-FM (then a student ran radio station) to his DJ time at WHAT Radio, Rick Friedman was always a true professional. He worked at Channels 3, 6 and 10. In 1970, Friedman was the original producer of the Action News format of what is now WPVI-TV. Then he headed westward to the left coast where he continued a successful broadcast career.

Member Michael Muderick reports that his life-long friend Art Constantine and Art's wife, Lisa Schub, were both killed on March19th when their motorcycle collided with a NJ State Police vehicle. Art was the Vice-President for Sales and Marketing for ATI Audio, a New Jersey based company known for broadcast radio equipment sales. Former WFIL Boss Jock, now President/Publisher of "All Access," JOEL DENVER noted, "I've known Art for years and am truly saddened to hear of his and Lisa's passing. Art used to spin records for me at dances at Paul VI High School in Collingswood, NJ, during my time at WFIL (Radio). A great soul and a witty personality."

Former Philadelphia disc jockey DJ Megatron (Corey McGriff) was shot to death on Sunday morning, March 27th. He was also the host of BET's "106 & Park." During his time in Philly, he worked at the Beat, WPHI-FM. At 2 am, he headed to a convenience store in his New York Staten Island neighborhood and was shot and killed. He was the father of three and just thirty-two years old.

ON THE HEALTH FRONT:

Kids doing the dance, "The Bunny Hop"
(Harvey Sheldon is the second from the right)
Bandstand, WFIL-TV
1952

Member Harvey Sheldon, who lives in California but still loves Philly, says:

I have had a medical breaking-trhough in rehab. (Harvey had a stroke a couple of months ago.) Yes, it is the bunny hop! The steps to the dance will give you the balance you need to walk again. Walk into any rehab center and it's a bore. Why? No music. Now I have them playing "The Bunny Hop" while I do the dance. I have them playing Perez Prado and Tito Puente while I walk and do the Mummers Strut. My therapist asked me what has influenced these musical concepts? I simply replied, "It is my Philly heritage."

When I was scheduled to enter St. Jude Rehab, I made a dash to Nordstrom's for clothes, needing to have something different to wear each day. All of my shirts needed matching socks, etc. They never had anyone from Philly and were impressed. This week I was voted the BEST DRESSED at St. Jude Rehab center. I am recovering with great strides, no more walker, and cane and walking not perfect but getting there.

However this has not stopped me writing and researching my forthcoming history books on entertainment.
I am receiving Get Well e-mails from BROADCAST PIONEERS and this really picks me up emotionally and it means so much to me.

Broadcast Pioneers' Hall of Famer and NFL Films president Steve Sabol has been diagnosed with a primary tumor on the left side of his brain, a Films spokesperson said in a statement released last month. Sabol, 68, was hospitalized after suffering a seizure in Kansas City. Extensive tests afterward led to the diagnosis. Sabol is expected to undergo radiation and chemotherapy treatment. Steve kidded with his staff by saying, "Don't give away my parking space." Well wishes can be e-mailed to: Sabol.NFLFilms@nfl.com.

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