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Chuck Leonard on WABC, 1967 (0:04:04)

… ..Here comes that man again … …

Rick Sklar wrote in Rocking America:

“I started listening to our competitors. I really wanted to do something different and scanned the high end of the dial where more specialized stations were located. One of those stations was WWRL with a predominantly black music list and DJ roster. I heard Chuck Leonard and liked his smooth sound. I wasn’t sure whether he was white or black, but I guessed he was probably black. No major New York station had a black disc jockey then. We met and agreed to a contract. When we notified the company that we were about to hire WABC’s first black jock, the word came down from the top of the company. Leonard Goldenson, ABC’s Chairman of the board, was delighted.”

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