Bobby Valentine, WWPR New York, 1988 (0:06:31)

… sounds like somethin’ Grandma Valentine would say! …

ABC briefly dropped the legendary WPLJ calls for WWPR in the late ’80’s to strengthen the adult Top 40 Power 95 FM moniker. I have always thought ‘PLJ was a great radio station. They are very New York, always have cool promotions and have always stood for music variety; this tradition continues.

Although it seems silly to have gone WWPR in retrospect, the station had a lot of Power. The sonovox “Free Money Man” production bed is a knock out. The music flows well. There are plenty of mentions of local happenings and listeners. Bobby Valentine is an excellent talent, he feels the music and displays a lot of smile. I like his style a lot. He has a great personality and sense of humor but keeps it brief and in forward motion. Plug into the “Power” and crank it up!

[Aircheck by California Aircheck]

“Bobby Valentine” first became known to NYC CHR aficionados in 1983, when, as “Danny Hernandez,” he was part of Z-100’s original airstaff, doing swing and fill-ins.
October 14, 2001: Several stops later, under his real name of Ray Rossi (leader of the Rossi Posse!), he’s still on the air in New York City — as morning man and production director of the “new” WYNY, New Country Y-107.

{Thanks to Anita Bonita)

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