Mike Rivers, KGW Portland OR 1972 (0:44:07)

… In the meantime, I say to hell with ’em …

A lengthy Dan Eylers (sp?) newscast featuring the not-so-late Abigal Van Buren (Dear Abby) opens this exhibit, and for those who lived it, the heavy dose of Vietnam War news is a certain reminder of this moment in time.

Contributor Peter Glazer wrote, “KGW changed its format .. in about 1969 starting with a broadcast of The History of Rock and Roll. I don’t really know what the ratings were (I left for college in 1970) but KGW became dominant and KISN began to fade.”

Mike Rivers is heard on October 27, 1972, filling in for Phil Harper. You gotta love the Drake AA jings. You might think you’re listening to an “Adult Contemporary” station until Rivers plays Raspberries. This was a very “classy” AM Top40 station, still doin’ it in 1972.

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