Dan Ingram, Ron Lundy, WABC, May 10 1982 (0:39:15)

… This is the last time I’ll be able to say this – WABC, New York …
It has been called the day the music died. On May 10, 1982, WABC Musicradio ended its music format of more than 21 years when it switched to a talk format at the stroke of noon. The format went out in style as long-time WABC deejays and personal friends Ron Lundy and Dan Ingram co-hosted the last show. The last minutes of WABC’s music format were consumed with a medley of the stations number one songs over the year. That was followed by an emotional goodbye from Lundy and Ingram and then Imagine by John Lennon. After Imagine faded out, the WABC Chime Jingle was played for the last time – followed by a brief pause – and then, the first WABC Talkradio jingle was heard. One era had ended and another had begun.

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