Gary Stevens, WKNR Detroit, 1964 (0:12:23)

… Gary Stevens – a brash, dynamic, Stand-up comic kinda sound that was a version of “shock radio” — in 1964 …
. This exhibit has mind-blowing fidelity for the vintage! It includes the classic reverb, time tone and formatics, but the famous WKNR PAMS “Dirty Robber” signature wasn’t adopted until 1965. The jingles are a blend of CRC and Ullman, as heard on the Bob Green 1964 exhibit. And whatever they were using to play those jingles – by golly, the machines were aligned and they are BRIGHT! Gary Stevens, of course, went on to be warmly remembered at Swingin’ Radio England, WMCA New York, and many other show-biz and management gigs. But he is certainly best known for a very successful career as a broadcast broker – he sold radio stations for a very good living, and he’s a righteous dude, even now.

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!

Board of NCBHP
North Carolina Broadcast History Project