The Paul Bicknell Collection
Paul Bicknell as Davy Jones at WPGC, Washington, D.C., circa 1968
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Paul Bicknell was born and raised in New England, and spent his formative years in Arlington, Massachusetts. After attending Boston University, Graham Junior College and the Leland Powers School of Radio, Television and Theatre, he got his first radio job at WPOR in Portland, Maine, followed by stints in Springfield, MA. at WHYN and a summer replacement position at WBZ in Boston. He spent a few "miserable" months at WCOS in Columbia, S.C., before joining WPGC AM-FM in Washington D.C. in late 1967, where he stayed for almost five years. Paul writes, "I was the top-rated night jock for my entire stay with one of the greatest radio stations in the United States."
In 1972, Paul resigned his position at WPGC to join WMAL-FM which had just switched from Classical to "Underground". After a year in morning and afternoon drive, he moved across town to WMOD (Oldies), before forming Bicknell & Associates, an advertising agency. His partner suffered a near fatal automobile accident on New Years Eve, 1979, and that was the end of the agency. He joined WBAL in Baltimore and did talk overnight until 1983 when he and Ed Graham founded The American Radio Network. In the early '90's he worked behind the scenes attempting to start a new Public Radio Network, funded by the A.S. Abell Foundation, but the funding dried up and the network never reached its potential. Paul is still extremely active in the voiceover business and sends commercials and narrations all over the country from 64-track digital studios. "I'm the lucky husband of former Baltimore air personality Renee' Connelly and have three beautiful children," writes Paul. The Repository thanks Paul Bicknell for sharing! |
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[By Paul Bicknell]
There had been a series of flu sicknesses within the halls of WPGC, and almost everyone was out sick. I was called at 6AM on the morning of March 11, 1970 to sit in for Bob Raleigh Junior. We had exhausted the part-time staff, so now, the full-timers that were healthy were being called upon. I also did my regular night shift that very same day.
There are a couple of forgotten songs, some fun commercials (Al Hirt for Miller Beer, Tang, “the drink of the astronauts”, “The Johnny Cash Movie”), Harve Moore with Pulsebeat News, and a Sound-Off about George Washington Birthday Sales.
I hope all enjoy this aircheck. It was recorded by the late Jim Sheeler, and given to me by my friend Joe Evelius.
[By Paul Bicknell]
New Years Eve, 1968  Oh What a Night! Big Wilson, the PD at the time, and I had huddled for weeks trying to decide what methodology should be used to end up with the “number one” record of the year at the very end of the presentation. It was a frantic time. I still don’t know if we actually hit it, or not.
That night was really a “rockin’ New Year’s Eve” and the phones were lit up like a Christmas tree. I think there was a little “bubbly” floating around. Though against company rules, I think there were lots of “guests”, too.
WPGC was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Working with Harve Moore and Bob Raleigh, Jim Collinson and Joel Denver and other greats  it just made rock ‘n’ roll and that night really special. WPGC was Top 40 at its best.
[By Paul Bicknell]
I think I had played Je T’Aime…Moi Non Plus earlier that evening and it just struck me as funny. Sooooo, I pulled sound effects of a moaning young female, added the pouring of drinks and ad-libbed myself into being naked on the air.
Keep in mind, this was 1969. The management was not very happy with me that night. In fact, a two week suspension was discussed. It ended up being one week. Was it worth it? You Bet! I can’t figure out where this little gem came from. Someone gave it to me a few months ago.