Paul Mayer, Neil Sedaka, WAVZ New Haven 1975 (0:03:11)

… I’ll let you be D.J. if I can be a singer …
Neil Sedaka and WAVZ Sticker What a thrill! I got to spend two and a half hours on air with songwriter and artist Neil Sedaka, known worldwide for classic hits like Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen and his more contemporary Laughter in the Rain. Neil was an exceptionally good sport to come on the air with me in July 1975, right after Laughter in the Rain had become such a huge hit. He was also hot then because another song he had penned was number one: Love Will Keep Us Together (Captain and Tenille). Neil was on tour with The Carpenters that summer when he agreed to play DJ with “Paul the Morning Mayer.” Other WAVZ staff members you’ll hear on this cut include Chuck Martin, later to become KHJ’s last rockin’ PD, and WAVZ PD Les Garland, just prior to having a hand in something called MTV. As you’ll hear, to wrap up that morning’s show, Neil agreed to let me sing. Please, someone find a bucket, so I can carry a tune! (Beware, your dog may react strangely to some of these sounds.)

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