WIP Reunion at the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

(Left to right - top row) Broadcast Pioneers President Bill "Wee Willie" Webber, Former WIP Music Director Bob Russo and KYW-TV Meteorologist Tom Lamaine, a member of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

(Left to right - bottom row) Former WIP Program Director Dean Tyler and former WIP DJs Tom Moran and Nat Wright, all three are members of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia

On Wednesday, December 18, 2002 at our luncheon at the Bala Golf Club in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia, we had a WIP Radio Reunion. On hand were former WIP jocks Bill Webber, Tom Moran, Tom Lamaine and Nat Wright. Also there were former WIP Program Director Dean Tyler and former WIP Music Director Bob Russo.

Keep in mind that during the sixties and seventies, WIP Radio was a music powerhouse. Always is the top five, ratingswise, WIP remained there until music listeners started switching to FM Radio because of better sound quality and static-free reception.

From a 1970 WIP promotional pamphlet

The Meeting started out with Former Program Director Dean Tyler speaking a little about the station and disc jockeys Tom Moran and Nat Wright. Tyler mentioned how he always had to keep an eye on Tom Moran because he was such a "bad boy."

First, Dean Tyler talks about Tom Moran and some of the stuff he pulled. Tom also responds. Watch the clip

Next, Dean talks about the all night guy at WIP, Nat Wright. And then Bill Webber tells another Tom Moran story and Tom defends himself again. Watch the clip

Broadcast Pioneers member Tom Lamaine who now does the weather on KYW-TV started in the Philadelphia market as an air personality at WIP Radio. Tom, a member of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, told our membership a little about his past. Watch the clip

A little later, Lamaine talked about DJ legend Ken Garland, morning man at WIP. Watch the clip

Finally, Tom Lamaine with a little help from Tom Moran mocked the daily reading that Dick Clayton, another legend at WIP, did daily from area telephone directories. Watch the clip

Dean Tyler spoke about John Kluge, head of Metromedia which owned WIP Radio during its "powerhouse" days. Bill Webber, Tom Lamaine and Tom Moran also added their remarks. Watch what they said

Bob Russo told the people at the luncheon that "he was luckiest man alive." Watch what Bob Russo said

Bob also told us about what it was like to be an advertiser on WIP and the award received.Watch what Bob said

Bill Webber spoke a little about the days at WIP before they were owned by Metromedia. Watch what he said

Last up is the "All-Night Rat," Nat Wright. He talks about his time at the powerhouse radio station, WIP. Nat Wright started out in the news department and ended up playing music. Bill Webber introduced Nat Wright. Watch what he said

Then Nat said a little more. Watch that clip

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