Art Roberts WKQX-FM Chicago September 1979 (0:57:51)

… it’s costing him more today to take off the weight than what he paid to put on all that fat …
The phase and alignment problems on this cassette contribution become somewhat less unpleasant after the first three minutes, so jump in the for the long haul and enjoy. This is an unscoped exhibit of Art Roberts on WKQX-FM (Chicago 101), from Thursday, September 13, 1979. In his book, Thinkin’ Out Loud, Art wrote that he created his “most meaningful feature” (Thinkin’ Out Loud) while working with Bill Stedman, Program Director at WKQX. This aircheck (unfortunately) doesn’t include that feature, but it surely is a real-time sample of this young adult radio station – or is it an “Oldies” format? Listen for the NBC signature that opens the Barbara Schleck newscasts — and there are interesting “unknown” jingles. We believe that Art’s self-contributed 1981 WKQX aircheck is a better example of what Art did at WKQX, but it’s wonderful to hear Art sounding so great in 1979. The comparisons between his 1967 WLS presentation and this 1979 WKQX presentation are very interesting. He sounds just as real, comfortable and relaxed in 1979 as he did in 1967. [Thanks to The Aircheck Factory]

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