WQAM, Miami, 1963/Bob Green (0:12:17)

… This is where WKNR Detroit was born… …

The Repository is honored to feature this aircheck from Bob Green on “One of the Great Storz Stations”: WQAM, Miami, 1963. It’s STUFFED with hot production. You’ll note the station was using a wide variety of jingles, and mixing logos. (I get misty when I hear the PAMS “Wonderful WQAM” logo.) But why did Miami stations WFUN and WQAM both have “accent” reverb? (The jock pushed a button to kick it into LOUD – Was this a Miami Vice?)

Also, interesting that both Miami stations had that SPECIAL reverb – It must have been a combination of tape loop and chamber (chamber chamber). [Update, 2003: Since writing this description in 1996, I have learned that the Storz stations used an oil-dampened reverb designed for a Hammond Organ – it created a delay with a tape-type “slapback” effect.]

You’ll actually hear a jingle for the real time – 12:23 in Miami. (How many of these did they have, I wonder?) Zing! What a feeling with a Coke! Settle back with a Del Monte Fruit Juice Drink or a Libby’s Tomato juice, and a snack from the convenience food company formerly known as Prince. What were the real odds of winning with a Money Matchbook, anyway? Won-der-full..W-Q-A-M! This is top-down sound, for sure!

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