WBZ Boston Big Broadcast, 1975 (0:11:25)

… This is BZ’s Big Broadcast of 1975. From the entertainment capitals of the world, performers have assembled for a star-studded radio first! …

These are excerpts from BZ’s Big Broadcast. This event probably holds the record for the biggest ever remote broadcast ever staged by a single radio station. We flew in the original actors, actresses, announcers, musicians, sound effects people, etc. that performed old time radio in the 30’s and 40’s, and did it again – live.

All the shows were performed in front of live audiences at Dunfey’s Hyannis Resort on Cape Cod. Rolls Royce provided the chauffeured limos, Altec Lansing provided truckloads of specialized audio gear, Gillette staged and sponsored the Friday Night Fights, etc., etc.

It was more than an event. It was work of love for all involved, and all for the benefit of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. We raised a hundred grand ($100,000) (1975 dollars!) during the 54 hours of this event. This, I might add, without a lot of radiothon type hype.

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