The Real Don Steele, KISN Portland OR, July 1964 (1:02:29)

… Relax at the wheel, with the Real Don Steele …

It’s the Emperor Real Don Steele The First on KISN, Portland, in July of 1964. Excerpts of this aircheck were featured in The Real Don Steele Remembered, but this is the original – unscoped – over an hour of The One and Only Real Don Steele.

This one came right off the console at KISN. You’ll be reminded just how gritty music from 45’s could sound in ’64, and just how many spot announcements it took to pay the bills. And imagine – saluting a community leader by announcing his home address! It was a different time and place, for sure. This is a remarkable recording, presented in 10Khz G2.

Welcome to the new ReelRadio!

This site is now operated by the North Carolina Broadcast History Museum. 

We want to thank the board of ReelRadio, Inc. for their stewardship since the passing of the founder Richard Irwin in 2018.  It has not been easy and they have maintained the exhibits for future generations to enjoy.

I met Richard Irwin, aka Uncle Ricky, when we were freshmen at East Carolina University.  We both had worked at local stations in our hometowns.  No one was more passionate about radio, especially Top 40 radio, than my friend Richard. 

Our goals with this site are to preserve the exhibits and make them available free of charge for people to enjoy.  Over time, we hope to add some airchecks to the site.  This will not happen immediately.  Time and resources will determine the future of new exhibits. 

Many thanks to the web folks at the Beasley Media Group for countless hours of work.  Again thanks to the board members of ReelRadio, Inc. for their faith in us. 

Richard Irwin’s hope was that his site would live on long after his passing. He said, “I hope REELRADIO will survive as my contribution to the ‘radio business’. The business is allowed to forget me, but the business should never forget the great era of radio that we celebrate here”.

We remember Richard and we thank him. If you enjoy this new site, we would appreciate a contribution. We hope you enjoy the new ReelRadio!

Board of NCBHP
North Carolina Broadcast History Project