Lee Simms, WJBK Detroit, MI July 1969 (0:13:09)

… the coffee pot was in the restroom and it was attacking one of our secretaries …
[Description by Uncle Ricky for contributor Jay Marks] Lee Simms, 2005,with a cup of coffee. Contributed by Lee”for the boys”. We must wonder if the woman who was attacked by the coffee pot ever appeared with Lee Simms on this WJBK morning show from July, 1969. Whatever, even if she never appeared, we keep listening to hear if she does. It seems that Lee Simms only does “personality radio”, regardless of the music format. His passion for being himself on the radio dominates every aircheck. He is a “radio personality”, and actually paid to do a SHOW on the radio. Yes, Lee was paid for this show. In July of 1969, the moon was top of mind, and how cool to have the Star Trek communicator SFX for the MoonTest! As of December 2006, Lee is living comfortably and semi-retired in the hills above San Francisco. He is a friend to REELRADIO and gentle radio people everywhere. ©2006 – 2012 The Jay Marks Collection and REELRADIO, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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