ReelRadio-Default-01

Clark Weber, WCFL Chicago, May 5, 1971 (restored) (1:03:32)

Unscoped
The John Celarek Collection
… Do you remember back in the days when air was invisible? …
[Description by Uncle Ricky] Clark Weber had years of Chicago Top 40 history on WLS before he joined WCFL in 1969. This recording features Mr. Weber in morning drive, Wednesday May 5, 1971, and YES, this was your father’s Top 40. This studio recording had serious traveling alignment problems. The voice stuff was OK, but anything with music was slushy. So, all the music was restored. Thanks to Stormy Hunter for help with three original titles that have been re-mixed for a revised Version 2 of this restoration. The REEL treasure here are the incredible Voice of Labor Newscasts. Howie Roberts anchors a couple of first-class news broadcasts featuring pre-recorded special reports and an entire staff of reporters. As we have noted before, WCFL put extra effort into their news because there was actual competition in the market from WLS, with all the resources of the ABC news organization. There’s also a custom promo by Lily Tomlin for the Hike for Hunger.

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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. 

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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