Brian Murphy WNVZ-FM (Z104) Norfolk, VA, July 1984 (0:09:45)

… . . . some people are just not satisfied with a good-night kiss . . . …

[Description by Sharon Leach]

In 1983, I was vacationing in nearby Virginia Beach when I first heard Z104. A couple on the beach were playing it on their radio. I liked what I heard. That night I went to a nearby Zayre and bought a radio, since I had left mine at home, 180 miles away.

I didn’t know at that time that Z104 had made its debut not long before. I recorded Z104 right on the beach. I can still remember the sunburn I got.

In July 1984, exactly a year later, I went back to the same Virginia Beach motel. This time it rained, so no sunburn, but I did manage to get this aircheck of Z104. Only problem is, I have no idea who the DJ is! He never said his name.

[REELRADIO 09/14/2003: Our educated visitors identified Brian Murphy. Murphy passed away on November 29, 2011, after battling cancer for many years.]

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