The Golden Year 1963 (0:51:10)

Unscoped

Our host is Robert W. Morgan, with Bill Drake and Charlie Van Dyke doing the image voice duties in this edition of the Golden Year 1963, with newsman Mike Cleaver given the sad duty of reporting one of America’s darkest days…November 22.

But the year begins with a blast of sun and surf…from The Beach Boys. Bobby Vinton discusses his “blue” period and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary tells us “Puff” was really about a dragon.

Plus…Robert W. takes us out of the sugar shack and up on the roof, Phil Spector tells the story of how he first heard The Ronnettes (and met his first wife, Ronnie Spector, in the process), a song about a satellite hits the top of the charts, and we hear a big hit from a 12 year old genius.

Drake-Chenault’s syndicated version of THE GOLDEN YEAR: 1963

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