Tom Shannon, WKBW Buffalo, July 1961 (0:52:11)

… Knock, Knock? …
[Description by contributor David Adams] Tom Shannonwkbwradio.com Tom Shannon first joined the staff of WKBW in 1958 at the age of 20. He spent a year and a half doing weekends before moving into the 6-9 PM slot when it was vacated by Dick Biondi, who departed for WLS Chicago. Within a very short period of time, Shannon’s youthful delivery and striking good looks catapulted his status to one of the highest rated jocks in the history of Buffalo radio. His “Tommy Shannon” theme song would go on to become one of Top 40’s all-time great instrumentals, when he wrote and produced “Wild Weekend” by The Rockin’ Rebels. This ‘scoped exhibit features Tom Shannon’s entire 6-9 pm show, composited from July 1961. It perfectly illustrates why WKBW became a broadcast legend. Shannon went on to work at CKLW before returning to Buffalo. In 2001, Tom Shannon was honored by the Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers when they inducted him into their Hall of Fame.

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