It was one of America’s original radio stations. It was also one of America’s most original radio stations.

WGR went on the air in 1922, one of the first radio stations in the United States. After 50 years as a full service station broadcasting everything from radio dramas to homemaker shows, WGR became a full-time contemporary music station in 1972, with a generous dash of oldies and a leaning toward middle of the road music. They played Abba, ZZ Top and everything in between. It was an interesting mix that reflected the programming genius of long-time PD Larry Andersen.

Some of Buffalo’s most legendary personalities worked at WGR during its heyday as a contemporary music station from 1972 to 1989. Stan Roberts, George Hamberger and Tom Shannon all did stints in morning drive, with Andersen, Joe Galusky and Craig Matthews appearing in middays during that period. The witty Frank Benny did afternoon drive during much of WGR’s Top 40 era, and the outspoken Shane (a.k.a. Ron Gibson) was the station’s early evening dee-jay of record during the golden years. Veteran talk show host John Otto was a late-evening mainstay as was Tom Donahue. A variety of hosts – including Hank Nevins and Jim Scott handled overnight duties. Weekenders included Jerry Reo and the late Mike Rohzman.

One of WGR’s most remembered personalities never held a Monday-Friday shift there. Jerry Farrell had a full-time job at the Niagara Falls Power Authority during the week and only had time for weekend broadcast week. But he made the most of it during his years at WKBW and WGR.

About a year after this tape was made, Farrell died of a heart attack at age 46. Here he is on April 11, 1976 in a classic aircheck from WGR, “Great Radio.”