Ron O’Brien was at Chicago’s WCFL twice in the ’70’s. Here’s a great hour of The Voice of Labor and Big Ron from June of 1972, during his first tour of the Windy City. A few musical oddities, those BIG TM jingles and Big Ron make for a slick and super sample of a legendary Top 40 radio station.
As we have noted previously with airchecks from this era, WCFL was serious about competing with cross-town WLS and their ABC Radio News affiliation. How many voices in the newscast here? I lost count. Listen for some familiar names and exceptional production. Hey, these guys *deserved* a strong Union. They did exceptionally good work. Today, the professionalism heard in this hour exists only where there are experienced radio vets to pass it on.
And, to delight all of today’s Sales Managers who are looking for one more opportunity to get their sponsors into the limited local programming available – consider the “whistling” McDonalds theme background during the People Speak segment. Coincidence? We observe – you ignore. Meanwhile, run out and get your sponsors to buy MUSICAL SIGNATURES & JINGLES for their business. And look, there’s Art Roberts with a PSA!
Big Ron O’Brien died of complications from pneumonia on April 27, 2008.