Imus in the Morning - 66 WNBC New York | September 9, 1979
In the long story of Don Imus’ career until this week, few events could be stranger than NBC management’s decision to fire the personalities of WNBC radio. Among those let go in late ‘77 were Cousin Bruce Morrow and morning man Don Imus.
Imus had been a new face in the hallowed halls of the flagship station of the NBC radio chain back in 1971, at a time when WNBC radio was still just rolling out from under a middle of the road format that was ostensibly 50 percent still network programming. With Imus in the Morning and Brucie at night, when he arrived in ‘74, WNBC began to transform itself into a modern top 40 station.
But, it wasn’t quite enough. To even think about competing with Top 40 ratings giant WABC, NBC brass decided to flip the station to a less-talk, more music approach. So, one day in 1977, nearly the entire airstaff was let go. New faces, like Alan Beebe were introduced in the next two years, and a new, streamlined sound, it was hoped, would bring ratings up. In the end, it failed, and the lesson learned was that personality, coupled with the music was what brings listeners.
So it was that in September 1979, WNBC re-hired Don Imus for the morning show. Armed with a feisty attitude, a stack of rock & roll records and a leather jacket that said, “Imus is Back”… the Imus in the Morning show returned to 660 AM. Its been there ever since.
(1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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Well, maybe Mr. Imus will change his ways. Although he is up there in age, it’s never too late for him to rid his racist behavior. Maybe his heavy drug and alcohol abuse from his younger days, screwed up his brain?? Nah, excuses can’t be made. May he rest in peace?
Great memories. But the date was 9/3/79. I was married the day before on 9/2/79. (the Sunday before Labor day).
I loved this aircheck of Imus and I loved his recent TV and Radio programs that he had before cancellation. I trust he will return so he can go out as a true legendary radio announcer and I think he will.