Chuck Leonard, WABC NY August 15, 1971 (scoped) (0:23:55)

Scoped
… . . . What is life without a ta-ta-ta . . . …

Hey, listen! It’s Chuck Leonard on WABC, August 1971, and this is one you haven’t heard before. There is a second hour following this one, recorded on reel and archived here in our Sacramento underwater studios. It has been made available JUST FOR REELRADIO SUBSCRIBERS.

Even though President Nixon was expected to address the nation that evening, the most nostalgic moment in the hour is followed by a spot for hamburgers! I liked this, actually, I like hamburgers.

There’s local and ABC news with Gil Hodges and Joe Templeton. There is also an editorial. Jingles precede everything EXCEPT music, for the most part. Otherwise, Leonard is totally minimal and he would have plugged into a “boss radio” format without a blink. This is actually really tight radio, maybe they were trying too hard … the intro of that Paul Revere record over the end of that spot.. and playing that Blood, Sweat & Tears TWICE? Big stiff, so what was up with that?

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