Bobby Noonan, KISN Vancouver WA (Portland), 1972 (0:45:05)

… The Super One, In ’72 …

Bobby Noonan was Andrew John Harold who had worked across the street as A.J. Harold at KISN’s competitor, KGAR, in 1967. KGAR was a daytimer licensed in Vancouver, Washington (KISN was licensed to Vancouver, too.) But by the end of 1967, KISN was the only Top 40 station in Portland.

In the 1960’s, KISN had the “KISN Corner” on West Burnside at 10th near downtown Portland, where The Real Don Steele was seen by motorists passing by. KGAR took office space across Burnside and, with floor to ceiling windows, the jocks could “gesture” to each other. I spent many afternoons during high school hanging out with A.J. Harold. I had lost touch with him for decades, but I did locate him in 2001 at KBOI in Boise, where he had been for years, it turned out.

This aircheck includes a newscast with Lincoln Smith and a couple of “on location” spots for Albertsons with Tom Michaels.

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!

Carl Davis
Trustee
North Carolina Broadcast History Museum