Larry Lujack, WLS Chicago, January 27, 1978 (scoped) (0:32:50)

Scoped
… . . . I’m a rude person . . . …

Actually, Larry Lujack is very pleasant, perky and professional, all the way through this near-hour from January 27, 1978. Good thing, because it’s a terrible morning in Chicago, there’s been a huge blizzard, highways are closed, and Chicago’s O’Hare airport has been closed for only the fourth time. Scores of schools and colleges have been closed, and once again, we hear the value of a LOCAL radio service — even though this one had 50,000 watts.

The WLS newscasts in both the full and ‘scoped exhibits are outstanding. Jeffrey Hendrix and Cathy McFarland do notable duty, as does sports guy Bill Frink.

I always thought motormouthed pitchman Tom Campbell was a west-coast-only phenomenon, but here he is, selling waterbeds in Chicago (and Larry takes a shot!) The current promotion is Instant Summer, predictably desirable when local temperatures are in single digits. And Lujack’s Klunk Letter is a classic, as he explains why he didn’t appear on Bob Sirrot’s TV show as a rock ‘n’ roll radio expert. AND – listen as Larry tells his engineer to STOP THE RECORD — he wasn’t finished talking, yet.

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