The Larry Ware Collection
Larry Ware signals his age.
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Larry Ware writes that his Top-40 radio exposure began in 1961.
"At just four years old, my older sister gave me her pink Westinghouse radio to listen to. "Big Bad John" was playing on Peoria's own WIRL 1290 at that time and I listened all that day. I was hooked for life. In high school, I woke up to Larry Lujack on WLS and awaited his amusing "Klunk Letter" every morning. During my sophomore year in high school, I borrowed the family reel-to-reel, an old tube 1956 Philco/VM, and began recording from WLS, WCFL, and WIRL from an old Majestic radio. I really loved Top-40 radio in the early 70's and couldn't go anywhere without it. I installed a 1962 Ford car radio on my old Schwinn in high school. It was with this "radio bike" that I would occasionally ride to Grand View Drive (a drive overlooking the Illinois River valley) at night and listen to "Beaker Street" on KAAY. I also made a portable car radio from an old record player cabinet to take to the parks with high school friends to play Frisbee. The radio would belt out WLS and Super CFL and fill the playing field with sound. I took this early "boom box" everywhere and made several versions of it. In 1973 a friend, Dale Myers, gave me a sensitive 1959 Sherwood tuner. At one time I had logged 50 different AM rock stations received on the Sherwood tuner from Peoria. With this tuner I extended my taping range to New York for Chuck Leonard from 770 WABC and Wolfman Jack from 660 WNBC. In 1983 I met my wife, Hope Holliday, at a local 2-year college where we were both studying for future careers in broadcasting. Hope later became the morning announcer on WPEO 1020 Christian Radio. I began working at WTVP-TV 47, Peoria's PBS television affiliate. I worked in Master Control and Traffic at WTVP until 1996. (Hope and I have both appeared on "Pledge Drives" at WTVP since then.) Until February 2002, I worked with The Iona Group in Morton, IL., where I managed the videotape library for Pioneer Hi-Bred, Inc. I'm currently back at WTVP, part-time, and am working full-time for the City of Peoria as a Police Information Technician. My Hobbies include biking, hiking, backpacking, photography, piano, audio editing, and collecting vintage radios and television receivers, and broadcast history (both television and radio). I discovered REELRADIO about 3 years ago while doing a search for "Larry Lujack" and was thrilled to be able to listen to Larry and scores of other DJs that I had never heard of before! What a great way to share what was the best format in radio ever! This is such a great website and a tribute to an American treasure - Top-40 radio! A few years ago I started collecting airchecks as a hobby. For my 25th year Woodruff High School class reunion (Class of '75), instead of hiring a "DJ", the committee hired me (for free - such a deal!) to run some vintage airchecks from 1970 - 1974. These featured Larry Lujack and John Landecker complete with the original commercials, jingles, and news to run during the banquet. It was like an audio time capsule playing in the background! The old sounds from WLS and WCFL really helped bring back some great memories that evening. I'm now privileged to share these airchecks and memories through the RT40RR web site, thanks to your interest and support of this site." The Repository thanks Larry Ware for sharing! |
Scoped
Lee Ranson, a Peoria native, began working for WIRL in 1960 fresh from communications studies at the University of Denver. He ran a top-rated airshift from 8:00 PM to Midnight called the “Go Show.” WIRL had a strong presence in Peoria in the 60’s and was number one in this market at that time. Lee’s show ran higher in audience shares in the Peoria market than the highly popular Dick Biondi (WLS) for the PM time slot. Lee told me that he once met Dick Biondi through a former WIRL DJ that went to work for WLS. Mr. Biondi told Lee that he wanted to meet the only man that beat him in the ratings in the state of Illinois!
Lee Ranson, 1963
Lee Ranson recorded this resume tape to send to WIBG/Philadelphia, PA. Their overnight man later filled the opening so Lee remained in Peoria. The original 4″ Scotch tape, loaned to me by Lee Ranson, represents the oldest known WIRL aircheck. This aircheck was recorded and scoped at the studios by the WIRL engineer at 7.5 ips.
Thanks to Lee Ranson for providing this aircheck!
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[Description by Larry Ware]WIRL Splash Party, 1963, (L-R) Ron Thorne, Bruce Chamberlain, Lee Ranson
Lee Ranson, a Peoria native, began working for WIRL in 1960 fresh from communications studies at the University of Denver. He ran a top-rated airshift from 8:00 PM to Midnight called the “Go Show.” WIRL had a strong presence in Peoria in the 60’s and was number one in this market at that time. Lee’s show ran higher in audience shares in the Peoria market than the highly popular Dick Biondi (WLS) for the PM time slot. Lee told me that he once met Dick Biondi through a former WIRL DJ that went to work for WLS. Mr. Biondi told Lee that he wanted to meet the only man that beat him in the ratings in the state of Illinois!
Lee Ranson, 1963
Lee Ranson recorded this resume tape to send to WIBG/Philadelphia, PA. Their overnight man later filled the opening so Lee remained in Peoria. The original 4″ Scotch tape, loaned to me by Lee Ranson, represents the oldest known WIRL aircheck. This aircheck was recorded and scoped at the studios by the WIRL engineer at 7.5 ips.
Thanks to Lee Ranson for providing this aircheck!
Scoped
[Description by Uncle Ricky for contributor Larry Ware]
The third anniversary of Dick Biondi on WLS got a lot of attention when REELRADIO streamed it first, way back in 1996. And now, in 2012, here is Dick’s second anniversary show from May 2, 1962.
The technical quality isn’t all that bad, considering the vintage. There were speed issues, not totally resolved, but how can you tell? What is truly remarkable here is the music list, even though we’re unsure of what some of these records should sound like, since we’ve never heard them before! “Rare” would be a kind description  these songs are some of the biggest “stiffs” of all time  this is strange stuff!
Most of the spots are live, but there are some classic spots for certain, and a blend of early PAMS and Anita Kerr jingles. This is an amazing time capsule of Spring, 1962 from WLS, early into a long and enduring legend as a popular music radio station. Biondi’s radio show was heard all over America. He defined Top 40 for an entire generation of midwestern American teenagers.
Unscoped
[Description by Uncle Ricky for contributor Larry Ware]
The third anniversary of Dick Biondi on WLS got a lot of attention when REELRADIO streamed it first, way back in 1996. And now, in 2012, here is Dick’s second anniversary show from May 2, 1962.
The technical quality isn’t all that bad, considering the vintage. There were speed issues, not totally resolved, but how can you tell? What is truly remarkable here is the music list, even though we’re unsure of what some of these records should sound like, since we’ve never heard them before! “Rare” would be a kind description  these songs are some of the biggest “stiffs” of all time  this is strange stuff!
Most of the spots are live, but there are some classic spots for certain, and a blend of early PAMS and Anita Kerr jingles. This is an amazing time capsule of Spring, 1962 from WLS, early into a long and enduring legend as a popular music radio station. Biondi’s radio show was heard all over America. He defined Top 40 for an entire generation of midwestern American teenagers.
Scoped
[Description by Larry Ware]
Bill Jones, “The Jones Boy”, was The Wibbage Man of The Morning from 1960 to 1962. On his Top Of The Morning show, he said he was “the driver’s best friend from now ’til ten”.
During this slightly incomplete hour recorded between 8AM and 9AM on Number-One rated WIBG, Jones runs his Jones Jumping Jackpot contest twice, and nets two winners.
The upcoming Monday was was Connie Francis Day. A 1961 Ford Fairlane town sedan sold for $2,122. And, former Vice-President Richard Nixon is reported as saying the U.S. will not go to war with Russia.
Unscoped
[Description by Larry Ware]
Bill Jones, “The Jones Boy”, was The Wibbage Man of The Morning from 1960 to 1962. On his Top Of The Morning show, he said he was “the driver’s best friend from now ’til ten”.
During this slightly incomplete hour recorded between 8AM and 9AM on Number-One rated WIBG, Jones runs his Jones Jumping Jackpot contest twice, and nets two winners.
The upcoming Monday was was Connie Francis Day. A 1961 Ford Fairlane town sedan sold for $2,122. And, former Vice-President Richard Nixon is reported as saying the U.S. will not go to war with Russia.
Unscoped
Scoped
[Description by Larry Ware]
On November 19, 1999, Harry Harrison celebrated 40 years of broadcasting in New York with this special live broadcast from the Museum of Radio and Television.
Marking this incredible milestone, Harry begins by reading a telegram he received in Peoria, IL from Steven Labunski, then general manager of New York’s WMCA. The telegram, dated November 3, 1959, was sent to Harry confirming his position as a staff announcer at WMCA beginning on November 16, 1959. Harry then plays the one and only recording that exists from his Peoria days that helped him achieve that position.
This is one of Harry’s best airchecks with special appearances from radio colleagues such as Joe McCoy, Ed Baer, Don K. Reed, Dean Anthony, Gary Stevens, Ron Lundy, “Dandy” Dan Daniel, Dan Taylor, and even a surprise live appearance from Steven Labunski himself.
He also receives many greetings from recording artists like Tony Orlando, Frankie Vallie, Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, and his own family members Michael, Patrick, Patti, and a special call from his wife “Pretty Patti”.
This was truly a special broadcast for Harry, and an outstanding tribute to the life of New York’s long-standing Morning Mayor. Harry says that this broadcast brought back many fond memories for him.
Al Vertucci, Harry’s engineer at WCBS-FM, recorded this aircheck.