Neilson Ross, KKUA Honolulu 1968 (0:02:14)

… as Jim Morrison said, just last night …
[Description by contributor Neil Ross] Yes, it’s me and I’m using my full first name. Didn’t get around to shortening it until the mid seventies. KKUA in 1968 could best be described as a mix of singles and album cuts presented in a ‘fake Drake’ format. This aircheck was made a week or so after the station presented The Doors at what was then known as The Honolulu International Center, a ten thousand seat venue which they sold out in a record breaking three hours. As you can tell, I’m still high from my one hour pre-show backstage visit with The Lizard King.

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