In the early 1970s, Philadelphia’s WDAS-FM switched from a “progressive rock” format to “progressive R&B.” “Progressive” in early ’70s radio lingo meant “album-oriented.” Just as progressive rock stations were trying to do the opposite of the AM Top-40 stations, the progressive soul stations were trying to be the opposite of the AM R&B stations,…
From the mid 1960’s, to the mid 1970s, Famous 56 WFIL was on fire in Philadelphia. The station was played everywhere. The WFIL Boss Jocks seemed bigger than life! It seemed like they were at every event in Philly. Parades, sporting events, high schools, and of course at every WFIL event. Some of these names are still talked about today, like Jim…
In 1981, radio consultant Mike Joseph installed his Hot Hits format on WCAU-FM in Philadelphia, and that began the 1980s Contemporary Hit Radio revival. Hot Hits was fast paced, lots of forward momentum, quick jock raps, and nothing but the hits with it’s short, currents only playlist. The format was reminiscent of some of…
Philadelphia’s Famous 56 WFIL, the Delaware Valley’s Pop Powerhouse, was the home of many broadcasting legends. Jim O’Brien, Dr Don Rose, George Michael, Jim Nettelton, Dick Heatherton, Frank Kingston Smith, & the jock featured on this aircheck, Long John Wade. Wade landed in Philly from Hartford’s WDRC in late 1966. He worked on air…
WCAU-FM was America’s pioneer all oldies radio station. In September of 1970, WCAU-FM converted to oldies from CBS’s soft pop automated format, The Young Sound. The station was totally automated with the voice of Jim Nettleton intro’ing or backselling everything 24/7; in 1972, the station began it’s evolution to a totally live sound, by…
From the mid 1960’s, to the mid 1970s, Famous 56 WFIL was on fire in Philadelphia. The station was played everywhere. The WFIL Boss Jocks seemed bigger than life! It seemed like they were at every event in Philly. Parades, sporting events, high schools, and of course at every WFIL event. Some of these names are still talked about…
