WABC New York Composite, January 1978 (0:45:35)

… The most listened-to station in the nation …
Chuck Leonard begins this expansive composite with his overnight show on New York City’s WABC, recorded on January 18, 1978. Bob Cruz follows (at 6:33) and Harry Harrison’s morning show is prominently featured beginning at 10:42. At 20:56, The always popular Ron Lundy is heard on his midday program. Unfortunately, the Cruz, Harrison and Lundy segments were dubbed out of alignment and the otherwise good fidelity suffers. Fortunately, the tape path straightens out a bit (if not completely) by 25:19 for a fabulous Dan Ingram afternoon drive segment. Not to be outdone, George Michael is fantastic, and you can hear his 7PM show beginning at 32:03. I Love New York was the big promotion at WABC during this composite, which continues on January 20, 1978 with Steve O’Brien at 36:36. It concludes on January 21, 1978, with a bit of Johnny Donovan (at 39:51).

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