Tim Kelly, Ron O'Brien, Dino Del Gallo, WPGC Top 100 of 1976 - January 1 1977 (0:53:44)
Neither Tim Kelly nor Ron O’Brien seem particularly happy about presenting the WPGC/Washington, D.C. Top 100 of 1976, but along with Dino Del Gallo they get it done in fine style! Actually, for all their expressed discontent, these seasoned pros are in top shape for this ‘scoped, narrowband STEREO recording from Saturday, January 1, 1977. WPGC sounded very polished at this time (excusing the original flutter on The Star Is Born spot.) The reverb is still on both AM & FM and it sounds great, just like a decade earlier, with first-class production elements and jingles.
Especially unusual – legendary performers Kelly and O’Brien “talk” the news, complete with their own editorial observations. This is a very interesting approach that I don’t remember hearing previously on any other Top 40 station of this era. There’s no formal introduction, these guys just start talking some news. Was this a regular format item, was the news department on vacation, or terminated?
O’Brien’s segment is very entertaining. He sings Eighty Nine (for the 89th hit) like the WLS logo, and quips Echo Radio at one point. He even (allegedly) breaks format, playing a song that’s not on the Top 100 of 1976 because “I can’t take one more hit of 1976”. Sadly, Ron O’Brien passed away on April 27, 2008.