{"id":33,"date":"2022-02-23T13:12:09","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T13:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/?post_type=chapter&p=33"},"modified":"2022-05-19T19:56:54","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T19:56:54","slug":"chapter-7-kyw-cleveland-signs-off","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/chapter\/chapter-7-kyw-cleveland-signs-off\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 7: KYW-Cleveland Signs Off"},"content":{"raw":"Change is <\/span>rarely <\/span>easy <\/span>a<\/span>nd <\/span>especially <\/span>when <\/span>it <\/span>touch<\/span>es<\/span> your daily <\/span>li<\/span>fe<\/span>. The bottom line was <\/span>that<\/span> <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>many <\/span>f<\/span>an<\/span>s <\/span>did not want their <\/span>favorite <\/span>radio <\/span>station to <\/span>leave Cleveland<\/span>. <\/span>The KY \u201cSound 11 Survey\u201d a<\/span>long with <\/span>its <\/span>familiar <\/span>voices had been <\/span>important<\/span> part of their lives for <\/span>nearly <\/span>a decade<\/span>. <\/span>Its <\/span>many <\/span>listeners <\/span>woke up with it on <\/span>their <\/span>clock radio<\/span>s<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>listen to it all-day <\/span>and <\/span>then <\/span>fell asleep <\/span>with <\/span>it at night. <\/span>U<\/span>nfortunately<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>its <\/span>days were <\/span>numbered<\/span>. <\/span>That was too bad. <\/span>It <\/span>provided <\/span>Cleveland with <\/span>the <\/span>very <\/span>best in <\/span>music, news, talk<\/span> and sports.<\/span> <\/span>KYW<\/span>-AM<\/span> used its 50,000 watts <\/span>advantage <\/span>to its fullest <\/span>extent <\/span>by <\/span>g<\/span>iving <\/span>its<\/span> <\/span>listening <\/span>audience what it <\/span>wante<\/span>d <\/span>the <\/span>purest<\/span> <\/span>enjoyment. To <\/span>its <\/span>credit, <\/span>it<\/span> <\/span>rarely <\/span>miss<\/span>ed<\/span> a beat.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIts staff <\/span>throughout <\/span>the <\/span>spring of<\/span> \u201965 <\/span>continued to do <\/span>it<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>very <\/span>best <\/span>even <\/span>though <\/span>the <\/span>hand<\/span>writing <\/span>was <\/span>on the wall. W<\/span>ith <\/span>a <\/span>well-earned <\/span>reputation <\/span>for program excellence<\/span>, i<\/span>ts <\/span>many <\/span>shrewd <\/span>programmers <\/span>fulfill<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>their <\/span>daily <\/span>tasks <\/span>with <\/span>both <\/span>grace and <\/span>style. <\/span>F<\/span>ew <\/span>knew <\/span>what NB<\/span>C <\/span>might have <\/span>in store<\/span>. However, <\/span>th<\/span>ey <\/span>sensed t<\/span>hat nothing <\/span>would be <\/span>exactly <\/span>the same<\/span> once <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany <\/span>took over<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Yet, <\/span>industry-wide <\/span>profits continued to soar <\/span>that year <\/span>top<\/span>ping<\/span> <\/span>$636<\/span> <\/span>million<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Powerhouse <\/span>AM<\/span> outlet<\/span>s<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>like KYW<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>enjoyed <\/span>exceptionally <\/span>high <\/span>revenues<\/span> <\/span>in those <\/span>days<\/span>. <\/span>In the case of KY-11, its growing <\/span>wealth was<\/span> <\/span>closely <\/span>connected <\/span>to <\/span>its <\/span>uncanny <\/span>knack <\/span>of <\/span>sell<\/span>ing tremendous <\/span>amount<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>of <\/span>spot <\/span>advertis<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>day<\/span> in and day out<\/span>. It took a team of highly dedicated individuals ranging from KYW DJs, managers, and programmers to clerks, receptionists and the cleaning staff to achieve that impressive goal.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs you might have already<\/span> <\/span>construed<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>business <\/span>caginess <\/span>and <\/span>financial <\/span>success were<\/span> <\/span>one and the same<\/span> at KY-11<\/span>. <\/span>Sometimes the <\/span>way in which <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>broadcaster<\/span> selling team p<\/span>resented <\/span>itself <\/span>to potential advertisers <\/span>ultimately <\/span>tipped the scales <\/span>one way or another<\/span>. <\/span>In most cases, t<\/span>he flasher the show<\/span> and <\/span>the higher the station\u2019s profits the better the chances of <\/span>that outlet <\/span>hooking a big fish. <\/span>For example, in January 19<\/span>65 Cleveland<\/span>\u2019s radio<\/span> market <\/span>ascribed to t<\/span>he Radio Response Ratings Service <\/span>(<\/span>RR<\/span>)<\/span>. It ranked KYW<\/span> <\/span>as the number two <\/span>\u201coverall\u201d <\/span>station <\/span>slightly <\/span>behind <\/span>the <\/span>present <\/span>leader <\/span>WHK. The key <\/span>word<\/span> here <\/span>was <\/span>\u201coverall<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span>That meant that <\/span>certain <\/span>KYW <\/span>shows <\/span>blew<\/span> away<\/span> <\/span>their <\/span>competitors <\/span>while others <\/span>not so much.<\/span>[footnote]\u201cRadio Response Rating, Cleveland, Ohio, Second Cycle,\u201d Billboard, The International Music-Record Newsweekly<\/em>, January 2, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>However, <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>well-t<\/span>rained <\/span>p<\/span>romoters<\/span> were no<\/span>body\u2019s<\/span> fool. <\/span>They used <\/span>th<\/span>eir station\u2019s <\/span>number two <\/span>rating<\/span> to their <\/span>fullest <\/span>advantage <\/span>by <\/span>repeat<\/span>ed<\/span>ly mentioning <\/span>the <\/span>many <\/span>positive aspects of their <\/span>highly <\/span>successful <\/span>program<\/span>s <\/span>while <\/span>barely<\/span> <\/span>mentioning <\/span>the<\/span>ir<\/span> <\/span>lower rated offerings<\/span>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nT<\/span>he<\/span> positive publicity they generated month after month <\/span>regardless of <\/span>the <\/span>ratings <\/span>proved <\/span>suff<\/span>icient<\/span> enough <\/span>for <\/span>eager advertisers who <\/span>were interested <\/span>in se<\/span>l<\/span>ling as many <\/span>items <\/span>and services as <\/span>they could <\/span>as <\/span>quickly<\/span> as possible<\/span> through <\/span>this <\/span>popular station<\/span>. <\/span>Most <\/span>of their <\/span>advertisers rarely read <\/span>between the<\/span> lines<\/span>. <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>sales <\/span>approach <\/span>went <\/span>far <\/span>beyond <\/span>the clever man<\/span>euvering of <\/span>aggressive <\/span>business agents <\/span>and <\/span>cunning <\/span>promoters<\/span>. <\/span>The resp<\/span>onsibility <\/span>for prompting <\/span>high <\/span>sales volume<\/span> <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>rested in the skillful hands of <\/span>fast-talking <\/span>jocks<\/span>, <\/span>music <\/span>librarian<\/span>s<\/span> and <\/span>program<\/span> coordinators<\/span>. Working <\/span>collectively,<\/span> <\/span>they <\/span>brought to life <\/span>the <\/span>many <\/span>c<\/span>lever <\/span>ads <\/span>that were <\/span>broadcasted <\/span>dai<\/span>ly<\/span> on KYW-Radio<\/span>. <\/span>Th<\/span>at <\/span>highly <\/span>polished<\/span>, <\/span>well-seasoned<\/span> <\/span>business strategy <\/span>was aimed at <\/span>sustain<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>a <\/span>loyal <\/span>listen<\/span>ing <\/span>audience <\/span>that<\/span> dutifully purchased the <\/span>many <\/span>products<\/span> <\/span>they <\/span>advertised<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>KY-11\u2019s <\/span>managers <\/span>could depend on the<\/span>ir fans <\/span>tun<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>in as long as <\/span>th<\/span>eir <\/span>station <\/span>was <\/span>fun<\/span>. <\/span>Local r<\/span>atings <\/span>may <\/span>go up and down<\/span>,<\/span> and the public <\/span>might <\/span>be fickle<\/span> at times<\/span>, but<\/span> one thing held true. A<\/span>dvertisers knew <\/span>full <\/span>well <\/span>who <\/span>the<\/span>ir <\/span>customer<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>were an<\/span>d they <\/span>catered <\/span>to <\/span>them<\/span> <\/span>directly <\/span>through <\/span>local <\/span>radio <\/span>outlets that welcomed them<\/span> into their studios<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nRatings were <\/span>similar <\/span>in many ways <\/span>to <\/span>report card<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>in that <\/span>program<\/span> developers frequ<\/span>ently <\/span>measured <\/span>a <\/span>show\u2019<\/span>s <\/span>success or failure <\/span>b<\/span>ased on <\/span>that <\/span>station\u2019s <\/span>present <\/span>s<\/span>tanding<\/span>. Low ratings <\/span>compelled <\/span>many <\/span>program<\/span>mers <\/span>to <\/span>routinely <\/span>cancel or <\/span>change <\/span>show<\/span>s<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Those <\/span>that relied on <\/span>their hunches <\/span>generally <\/span>won out<\/span> in the ratings <\/span>war<\/span>. <\/span>In fact, <\/span>KYW<\/span>-Radio<\/span> had <\/span>its <\/span>program <\/span>evaluation <\/span>process <\/span>down to a<\/span> <\/span>fine <\/span>science<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Here\u2019s <\/span>how it worked<\/span> on the news and <\/span>information side<\/span>. While <\/span>KYW-Radio <\/span>continuall<\/span>y <\/span>reminded its listeners of <\/span>its <\/span>highly <\/span>reliab<\/span>le <\/span>newscasts <\/span>led by <\/span>ace <\/span>reporters <\/span>such as <\/span>Tom Carson<\/span>, Ken Courtwright<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>Paul Sciria<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>its <\/span>programmers<\/span> <\/span>periodically <\/span>stir<\/span>red<\/span> things <\/span>up <\/span>by injecting <\/span>thought-provoking <\/span>news <\/span>related <\/span>spots.<\/span>[footnote]\u201cCarson Overcomes Airwave Obstacles,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 14, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>One <\/span>of those <\/span>thirty to ninety second <\/span>responses <\/span>called \u201cCleveland Wants to Know\u201d <\/span>gain<\/span>ed a<\/span> great <\/span>f<\/span>ollowing.<\/span> Q&A <\/span>columns<\/span> <\/span>found <\/span>in <\/span>both <\/span>the Cleveland newspapers<\/span> served as its basis<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Cleveland<\/span> Wants to Know\u201d <\/span>respon<\/span>d<\/span>e<\/span>d<\/span> to <\/span>important <\/span>questions<\/span> <\/span>asked by <\/span>their <\/span>very <\/span>attentive <\/span>listeners<\/span>. E<\/span>xperts <\/span>in <\/span>many <\/span>fields<\/span> <\/span>lent <\/span>their <\/span>expertise.<\/span>[footnote]\u201cKYW Launches Info Show,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, January 17, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nYou <\/span>had to have <\/span>creative people both on and off the air <\/span>if <\/span>you <\/span>want<\/span>ed <\/span>to remain number one<\/span> in the Cleveland radio market<\/span>. <\/span>Harry Martin was exactly what<\/span> <\/span>KYW-Radio <\/span>n<\/span>eeded <\/span>to bolster its <\/span>morning <\/span>ratings <\/span>in the <\/span>early <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s<\/span>. <\/span>H<\/span>is <\/span>daily comedy bit<\/span> called \u201c<\/span>Congo Curt<\/span>\u201d<\/span> featur<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>a well-<\/span>intended<\/span>,<\/span> but <\/span>highly <\/span>inept jungle explorer. <\/span>His <\/span>misadventures <\/span>appealed to <\/span>almost <\/span>everyone<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>Being able to make people laugh <\/span>a<\/span>t a drop of a hat <\/span>was no<\/span> easy t<\/span>ask<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Each segment of \u201cCongo Curt\u201d required a great deal <\/span>of <\/span>production<\/span> time<\/span> upfront<\/span>. <\/span>Yet, he did it successfully over and over again.<\/span> <\/span>WBC<\/span> <\/span>had <\/span>made a <\/span>major <\/span>commitment to <\/span>Clevelanders to <\/span>provide<\/span> them <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>finest <\/span>in entertainment, news and <\/span>talk<\/span>,<\/span> and Harry Martin<\/span>\u2019s<\/span> <\/span>off-beat <\/span>comedy <\/span>was <\/span>a crucial <\/span>part of <\/span>fulfilling <\/span>it<\/span>. <\/span>However, that <\/span>pledge <\/span>by <\/span>the <\/span>Westinghouse<\/span> Broadcasting<\/span> <\/span>Company <\/span>extended <\/span>far <\/span>beyond <\/span>Martin\u2019s <\/span>daily<\/span> <\/span>pranks<\/span>. K<\/span>eep in mind that <\/span>the <\/span>mid-<\/span>19<\/span>60s <\/span>symbolized <\/span>a <\/span>time <\/span>of so<\/span>cial <\/span>upheaval<\/span> <\/span>when <\/span>major issues, such as <\/span>civil rights<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>w<\/span>ere<\/span> <\/span>heating up<\/span>. Surprisingly<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>some <\/span>powerhouse <\/span>AM <\/span>radio <\/span>stations <\/span>such as <\/span>KYW successfully <\/span>bridge<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>th<\/span>at growing <\/span>racial gap<\/span> <\/span>by <\/span>periodically presenting one-of-a-kind programs that <\/span>crossed <\/span>th<\/span>at<\/span> color line<\/span>. One example of that growing commitment came through loud and clear in February 1965. Following the untimely death of one of America\u2019s smoothest African American male vocalists Nat King Cole (1919-1965), that outlet paid tribute to that icon by broadcasting a special show at 9:30 p.m. on February 17<\/span>th<\/span><\/span>. Jim Runyon narrated it. That same night it also broadcasted a program on the Second World War.[footnote]Bert J. Reesing, \u201cPerkins Attains Goal: Foreign Correspondent,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 17, 1965. \u201cRadio Programs \u2013KYW-1100 KC.\u201d February 2, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nThroughout th<\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>period<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>it<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>extraordinary s<\/span>taff <\/span>received its fair share <\/span>of attention<\/span> from <\/span>local <\/span>media<\/span> circles<\/span>. <\/span>For example, <\/span>one of its foremost <\/span>n<\/span>ewscaster<\/span>s<\/span> Ken Courtwright signed <\/span>yet <\/span>a<\/span>nother <\/span>lucrative <\/span>contract <\/span>in 1964 <\/span>while <\/span>Jerry G joined Jay Lawrence <\/span>in <\/span>a number of <\/span>well <\/span>publicized <\/span>appearances<\/span> <\/span>includ<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>Halle Brother\u2019s <\/span>\u201cGo-Go-Go Fashion Show\u201d sponsored <\/span>by<\/span> <\/span><\/span>Seventeen<\/span><\/span><\/em> magazine<\/span> on March 13<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span>.[footnote]\u201cHalle\u2019s and Seventeen\u2019s Go-Go-Go Fashion Show,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, March 12, 1965.[\/footnote] <\/span>Downtown was <\/span>still <\/span>number one <\/span>in retailing <\/span>and <\/span>large<\/span> <\/span>department stores <\/span>con<\/span>tinued to<\/span> <\/span>spent lots <\/span>of <\/span>money <\/span>on <\/span>all kinds of <\/span>special <\/span>advertising<\/span> that included <\/span>among other things <\/span>fashion shows<\/span>. <\/span>Besides<\/span>, <\/span>adding <\/span>favorite <\/span>local <\/span>radio personalities <\/span>to those shows <\/span>provided <\/span>some <\/span>glamour<\/span>. L<\/span>ike so<\/span> many other successful <\/span>retailers<\/span> of that <\/span>same <\/span>decade<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>Halle Brothers <\/span>gladly <\/span>welcomed <\/span>large <\/span>crowds <\/span>of shoppers<\/span>. <\/span>On the flip side, <\/span>station officials <\/span>enjoy<\/span>ed <\/span>the <\/span>tons of <\/span>positive <\/span>publicity and increased <\/span>revenue <\/span>they <\/span>derived <\/span>from <\/span>sponsoring <\/span>those <\/span>personal <\/span>appearances<\/span>. <\/span>Although m<\/span>any <\/span>competitors <\/span>appreciated the <\/span>full-<\/span>court press <\/span>be<\/span>ing employed <\/span>by <\/span>KYW<\/span> to pr<\/span>om<\/span>ote <\/span>its many <\/span>spectacular <\/span>events<\/span>,<\/span> other factors such as <\/span>escalating <\/span>overhead costs<\/span> and <\/span>smaller <\/span>listening<\/span> <\/span>audience<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>limit<\/span>ed the<\/span>ir ability <\/span>to <\/span>compete in that way<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nIn spite of <\/span>all the fanfare<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>radio <\/span>newscasts <\/span>still r<\/span>anked <\/span>second <\/span>in the minds of <\/span>most <\/span>listen<\/span>ers<\/span>. <\/span>They <\/span>still <\/span>reli<\/span>ed <\/span>primarily <\/span>on <\/span><\/span>t<\/span>he Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em><\/span><\/span>, the<\/span><\/span> Cleveland Press<\/span><\/span><\/em> and <\/span><\/span>the Akron Beacon Journal<\/em><\/span><\/span> for the<\/span> bulk of the<\/span>ir news and sports<\/span>. <\/span>As everyone knew, f<\/span>ederal regulations mandated that <\/span>all <\/span>radio <\/span>stations <\/span>broadcast <\/span>news on the hour<\/span>. Some like <\/span>KYW<\/span>-Cleveland <\/span>took <\/span>i<\/span>t <\/span>a step <\/span>further<\/span> <\/span>by <\/span>providing <\/span>news<\/span>casts <\/span>on the half hour<\/span> and when<\/span>ever breaking news<\/span> <\/span>unfold<\/span>ed.<\/span> <\/span>I<\/span>t<\/span>s <\/span>daily <\/span>talk shows also furnished <\/span>important <\/span>news and <\/span>information<\/span> to<\/span> their many<\/span> <\/span>follower<\/span>s<\/span>. <\/span>Speaking of<\/span> talk shows, <\/span>few <\/span>were s<\/span>urpris<\/span>e<\/span>d<\/span> when <\/span>Harve<\/span> Morgan received the <\/span>much <\/span>covet<\/span>ed Ralph H. <\/span>Besse<\/span> award for his outstanding <\/span>performance <\/span>as <\/span>Cleveland\u2019s <\/span>premier <\/span>nighttime talk<\/span> show<\/span> <\/span>host<\/span>.[footnote]\u201cBesse to Get Award for Leadership,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, March 11, 1965.[\/footnote] <\/span>Eleven hundred AM <\/span>had no trouble <\/span>whatsoever in <\/span>sell<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>numerous <\/span>hours <\/span>o<\/span>f <\/span>advertising <\/span>based <\/span>o<\/span>n<\/span> its <\/span>numerous <\/span>top quality <\/span>newscasts and <\/span>daily <\/span>talk show<\/span>s<\/span>. <\/span>Receiving <\/span>community a<\/span>wards<\/span> <\/span>gave <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>savvy<\/span> <\/span>sales team <\/span>the kind of <\/span>ammunition<\/span> <\/span>it <\/span>needed <\/span>to sell even more <\/span>spot <\/span>advertis<\/span>ing<\/span> time<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nWe must not forget that fierce comp<\/span>etition <\/span>fueled <\/span>in <\/span>many <\/span>cases <\/span>by <\/span>over<\/span>ly <\/span>enthusiastic <\/span>station managers <\/span>also played a cr<\/span>ucial <\/span>part <\/span>in <\/span>determine<\/span> <\/span>the <\/span>winner and losers in the <\/span>local <\/span>ratings war<\/span>. <\/span>The reality was that b<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>represented <\/span>a <\/span>very <\/span>mixed up world where one <\/span>station <\/span>might have high ratings one month only to be <\/span>toppled by <\/span>an<\/span> upstart <\/span>the next. Case in point <\/span>was <\/span>the continual <\/span>battle <\/span>for <\/span>Cleveland\u2019s <\/span>top <\/span>radio <\/span>spot that was <\/span>being <\/span>waged <\/span>b<\/span>y <\/span>KYW and WHK <\/span>in<\/span> <\/span>the early <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s<\/span>. The fact that <\/span>W<\/span>HK<\/span> <\/span>was Ohio\u2019s oldest commercial broadcaster and a leader in Cleveland radio for <\/span>more than <\/span>four decades <\/span>did not <\/span>prevent <\/span>its chief <\/span>nemes<\/span>i<\/span>s <\/span>KYW <\/span>Program Director Ken Draper <\/span>f<\/span>rom bragging <\/span>that <\/span>his outlet <\/span>wa<\/span>s <\/span>number one in <\/span>the <\/span>April <\/span>\u201965<\/span> ratings<\/span>. <\/span>In the case of <\/span>Metromedia<\/span>-<\/span>owned W<\/span>HK<\/span>, <\/span>its <\/span>5,000 watts <\/span>could not <\/span>match the <\/span>range <\/span>or <\/span>sound quality <\/span>of <\/span>KYW<\/span>-<\/span>Cleveland<\/span>. <\/span>Fourteen-twenty AM <\/span>did <\/span>indeed offer <\/span>some <\/span>first rate <\/span>program<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>even <\/span>though <\/span>its<\/span> new <\/span>\u201ccontemporary music\u201d format<\/span> was not <\/span>particularly <\/span>a big hit<\/span> with local<\/span>ly-based<\/span> audiences<\/span>.[footnote]\u201cWHK, KYW Beset by Tension, Turmoil,\u201d Billboard<\/em>, April 3, 1965.[\/footnote] <\/span>Similar in <\/span>program <\/span>style <\/span>to its <\/span>New York <\/span>flagship station<\/span> WNEW<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>WH<\/span>K<\/span>-Radio<\/span> <\/span>lacked the<\/span> <\/span>enormous <\/span>listen<\/span>ing audience <\/span>to draw upon<\/span> when matched against WNEW-AM<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nIn terms of the DJs themselves<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>AM <\/span>radio has always been a great <\/span>place <\/span>for nomad<\/span>ic <\/span>broadcasters<\/span>. <\/span>As we mentioned earlier, <\/span>t<\/span>ho<\/span>se wanderers <\/span>were <\/span>n<\/span>ever <\/span>guaranteed<\/span> <\/span>job <\/span>security which meant that <\/span>the slightest <\/span>infraction <\/span>on their part <\/span>might <\/span>send <\/span>them <\/span>packing. Jim Stagg found that out the hard way. [footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>A<\/span>pparently<\/span>, <\/span>KYW <\/span>managers <\/span>had <\/span>discovered <\/span>that he had signed <\/span>his<\/span> name <\/span>to <\/span>a bar license in Lorain, OH and <\/span>that <\/span>some state <\/span>liquor agents<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>in a <\/span>recent <\/span>raid, had <\/span>caught underage <\/span>customers <\/span>drink<\/span>ing there<\/span>.[footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The last <\/span>thing <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse officials <\/span>want<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>to deal with <\/span>during th<\/span>is <\/span>swap <\/span>was <\/span>a <\/span>lengthy <\/span>legal <\/span>battle <\/span>involving <\/span>one of <\/span>their <\/span>popular <\/span>radio personalities<\/span>. <\/span>It <\/span>proved to be <\/span>the deciding factor <\/span>that <\/span>prompted <\/span>Stagg\u2019s <\/span>suddenly <\/span>dismissal<\/span>. H<\/span>aving been dragged <\/span>through-the-<\/span>mill<\/span> by <\/span>unsympathetic <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse managers<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>you <\/span>might <\/span>think <\/span>that <\/span>h<\/span>is best option was to <\/span>le<\/span>ave<\/span> quietly. <\/span>But,<\/span> that was not <\/span>Jim Stagg\u2019s <\/span>style<\/span>. <\/span>Hi<\/span>s lawyer<\/span> <\/span>argued <\/span>that <\/span>he <\/span>was not <\/span>involved <\/span>in <\/span>the tavern\u2019s <\/span>daily <\/span>operations and <\/span>that he had <\/span>transferred the license to <\/span>his <\/span>relatives <\/span>quite <\/span>a <\/span>while ago<\/span>.[footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Whatever <\/span>might have been<\/span> <\/span>going on <\/span>behind the scene<\/span>, Stagg\u2019s <\/span>very <\/span>vocal <\/span>suppor<\/span>te<\/span>rs <\/span>were <\/span>extremely <\/span>un<\/span>happy<\/span> when <\/span>they <\/span>learn<\/span>ed that he had been <\/span>fired<\/span> without a <\/span>proper <\/span>hearing<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nAs everyone knew, <\/span>KYW management <\/span>had <\/span>always <\/span>held <\/span>its <\/span>staff <\/span>to a <\/span>very <\/span>strict code of conduct<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> <\/span>hard-nosed GM Perry <\/span>B. <\/span>Bascom<\/span> <\/span>firmly <\/span>believed in it<\/span>. <\/span>When provoked,<\/span> <\/span>Bascom <\/span>co<\/span>uld end a <\/span>promising<\/span> <\/span>career <\/span>with <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>simple <\/span>stroke of a pen. <\/span>Living <\/span>in fear of <\/span>being <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Bosomed<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d <\/span>many <\/span>KYW <\/span>jocks <\/span>considered <\/span>su<\/span>ing <\/span>the station after <\/span>having been exposed to <\/span>his<\/span> <\/span>uncontrolled <\/span>rage<\/span>. <\/span>However, suing <\/span>often proved <\/span>cost<\/span>ly <\/span>in that <\/span>word <\/span>would <\/span>g<\/span>e<\/span>t around <\/span>quick<\/span>ly <\/span>that <\/span>you<\/span> we<\/span>re <\/span>\u201cdifficult\u201d to manage. <\/span>B<\/span>randed <\/span>a troublemaker was not the reputation <\/span>you <\/span>w<\/span>a<\/span>nted <\/span>shadow<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>you<\/span> in the years ahead<\/span>. <\/span>As a radio personality y<\/span>ou <\/span>might <\/span>win <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>battle<\/span> here and there<\/span>,<\/span> but <\/span>ultimately <\/span>you would <\/span>lose the war<\/span>. Many <\/span>jocks <\/span>chose <\/span>instead <\/span>to lick their wounds and move on<\/span> <\/span>to another <\/span>radio <\/span>station <\/span>rather than fight<\/span> the establishment<\/span>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nOn another <\/span>totally <\/span>unrelated <\/span>area<\/span>, s<\/span>imulcast<\/span> <\/span>radio <\/span>b<\/span>roadcast<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>increasingly <\/span>came under <\/span>scrutiny <\/span>in April <\/span>19<\/span>65<\/span> w<\/span>hen <\/span>the <\/span>FCC<\/span> <\/span>began <\/span>pressur<\/span>ing<\/span> AM stations <\/span>to broadcast <\/span>twelve <\/span>hours of <\/span>independent <\/span>programming <\/span>on their <\/span>various <\/span>FM outlets<\/span>.[footnote]Alvin Beam, \u201cCut Simulcasts, Stations Told,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 22, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Federal officials gave them <\/span>an October<\/span> <\/span>deadline <\/span>to comply <\/span>or face <\/span>the possibility of <\/span>losing <\/span>their <\/span>licenses<\/span>. <\/span>F<\/span>ed<\/span>eral official<\/span>s <\/span>believed <\/span>t<\/span>hat program <\/span>variety <\/span>was imp<\/span>ortant <\/span>as <\/span>more <\/span>and more <\/span>people <\/span>were <\/span>turn<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>to<\/span> the <\/span>FM <\/span>dial<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>In Cleveland<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>particular <\/span>case<\/span>, <\/span>both <\/span>KYW and WHK<\/span> <\/span>agreed to <\/span>compl<\/span>y <\/span>with it <\/span>while o<\/span>thers <\/span>like <\/span>WDOK, W<\/span>ERE<\/span> and <\/span>W<\/span>GAR<\/span> said they would try<\/span> to meet the <\/span>autumn <\/span>deadline<\/span>. <\/span>W<\/span>JW<\/span>-Radio<\/span>, on the other hand,<\/span> <\/span>pretty much <\/span>ignored <\/span>it.<\/span>[footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Recognizing the enormity of th<\/span>at<\/span> task<\/span>,<\/span> led t<\/span>he feds <\/span>to <\/span>eventually <\/span>back down<\/span>. The issue of independent <\/span>FM <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>was <\/span>pretty much <\/span>shelved <\/span>until \u2018<\/span>68 when <\/span>it <\/span>re<\/span>appeare<\/span>d<\/span>. <\/span>Trying <\/span>to <\/span>buy additional time<\/span> led <\/span>W<\/span>GAR<\/span>-Cleveland<\/span> <\/span>to <\/span>request <\/span>a<\/span>n <\/span>exemption<\/span> in the summer of \u201865<\/span>. <\/span>They <\/span>knew t<\/span>he new <\/span>NBC station<\/span> <\/span>w<\/span>ould <\/span>soon <\/span>be broadc<\/span>asting <\/span>its<\/span> <\/span>own <\/span>shows<\/span> <\/span>many<\/span> of which were<\/span> <\/span>currently<\/span> <\/span>being <\/span>carried <\/span>on<\/span> <\/span>WGAR-FM.[footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Its p<\/span>romoters sought <\/span>add<\/span>itional <\/span>time <\/span>in <\/span>the hope of <\/span>pick<\/span>ing<\/span> up <\/span>some <\/span>other <\/span>desirable <\/span>alternatives prior to the <\/span>October deadline<\/span>. <\/span>WGAR managers <\/span>admitted <\/span>that the<\/span>ir FM audience <\/span>enjoyed <\/span>NBC<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>\u201cWeekend Monitor\u201d <\/span>and that <\/span>it <\/span>accounted for <\/span>it<\/span>s <\/span>positive <\/span>ratings<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nKY<\/span>-11<\/span> <\/span>did <\/span>some <\/span>quick <\/span>reshuffling <\/span>of its <\/span>AM <\/span>lineup <\/span>following <\/span>Jim <\/span>Stagg<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>quick <\/span>departure<\/span>. A<\/span>t the same time, a<\/span> new program director came o<\/span>n<\/span> board<\/span> to <\/span>assist <\/span>KYW <\/span>in <\/span>its <\/span>trans<\/span>fer<\/span> <\/span>from Cleveland <\/span>to Phil<\/span>adelphia<\/span>. <\/span>Originally <\/span>hir<\/span>ed as <\/span>a <\/span>graphic artist<\/span>, <\/span>Tony Graham (1933-1992)<\/span> <\/span>rapidly became <\/span>one of the top gu<\/span>n<\/span>s <\/span>at <\/span>KDKA-<\/span>Pittsburgh<\/span>.[footnote]Bert. J. Reesing, \u201cIndians\u2019 Orchids Due for TV Weatherman,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, April 28, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Unfortunately<\/span>,<\/span> the <\/span>KYW radio<\/span> <\/span>audience <\/span>did <\/span>not care<\/span> <\/span>a great deal <\/span>about<\/span> <\/span>his <\/span>business <\/span>qualifications<\/span>. They were <\/span>only <\/span>interested in<\/span> what <\/span>they heard<\/span> <\/span>broadcasted o<\/span>ver <\/span>the<\/span>ir<\/span> radio<\/span>s<\/span>. <\/span>A <\/span>familiar voice <\/span>Bob Irwin <\/span>took Stagg\u2019s place <\/span>prior to <\/span>the arrival of <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>Ph<\/span>iladelphia<\/span> <\/span>DJ <\/span>Don L. (<\/span>Scotty<\/span>)<\/span> Brink.[footnote]Bert J. Reesing, \u201cLook What TV Plans for Football Fans!\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, May 11, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Brink <\/span>took over the 2 pm slot <\/span>which <\/span>enabled <\/span>Jay Lawrence <\/span>to return to his <\/span>Mid<\/span>night <\/span>gig<\/span>. <\/span>Lawrence <\/span>had served as <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>afternoon jock following <\/span>the <\/span>totally <\/span>unexpected <\/span>firing of Stagg<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Without <\/span>any <\/span>warning<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>both <\/span>Ken Draper and <\/span>KYW<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>News <\/span>Director Art<\/span> Schreiber<\/span> packed <\/span>up <\/span>their things <\/span>and <\/span>moved to <\/span>Chicago\u2019s<\/span> <\/span>WCFL<\/span>.[footnote]\u201cSchreiber Quits KYW to Join Chicago Station,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, May 12, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Draper remained in <\/span>the Windy City <\/span>until 1968. He later head<\/span>ed <\/span>a <\/span>well-known <\/span>Hollywood consulting <\/span>firm <\/span>Programming Incorporated. <\/span>Its many <\/span>accomplishm<\/span>e<\/span>nts included <\/span>creati<\/span>ng the <\/span>soon to be <\/span>legendary rock station <\/span>in New York <\/span>WPIX-FM<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nTo <\/span>casual <\/span>outsider<\/span>s,<\/span> th<\/span>e KYW-WRCV <\/span>swap <\/span>was <\/span>moving along <\/span>nicely<\/span>. That was exactly what <\/span>managers at <\/span>both stations <\/span>wanted to <\/span>convey<\/span>. <\/span>However, <\/span>behind the scenes <\/span>confusion <\/span>reigned and <\/span>particul<\/span>a<\/span>rly <\/span>among the <\/span>few <\/span>remaining <\/span>KYW <\/span>staff<\/span>. They wanted to know <\/span>what <\/span>w<\/span>as going to <\/span>happen <\/span>to <\/span>them<\/span> when the swap was <\/span>over<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Many in<\/span>siders in<\/span> the radio <\/span>game <\/span>thought that this <\/span>was no way<\/span> <\/span>in which <\/span>to <\/span>handle <\/span>this <\/span>important <\/span>issue <\/span>and <\/span>especially <\/span>for <\/span>a <\/span>successful <\/span>radio<\/span> enterprise <\/span>such as <\/span>KYW<\/span>-Cleveland<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>C<\/span>onfusion <\/span>in <\/span>its <\/span>ranks <\/span>certainly <\/span>did not <\/span>speak well <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse<\/span> Broadcasting Company<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>shrewd <\/span>ma<\/span>nagement<\/span> team<\/span>. Its <\/span>B<\/span>oard <\/span>of Directors <\/span>r<\/span>esponded to this <\/span>growing <\/span>confusion <\/span>by <\/span>sending <\/span>its chairman <\/span>Don <\/span>McGannon to Cleveland <\/span>on <\/span>June<\/span> 7<\/span>, 1965<\/span>.[footnote]\u201cKYW Move Due in 2 Weeks,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 5, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>H<\/span>e <\/span>attempted <\/span>to <\/span>u<\/span>ntangle <\/span>this <\/span>mess<\/span> <\/span>by <\/span>explain<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>how <\/span>those <\/span>changes <\/span>would <\/span>or would not <\/span>directly <\/span>affect <\/span>Cleveland <\/span>employees. <\/span>McGannon continually reminded everyone involved that everything was moving along as planned. Station officials had every reason to believe McGannon since many of the Cleveland employees had already received lucrative new contracts from either WBS or NBC. In Philadelphia, WRCV was now known as KYW even though its Cleveland counterpart continued to rely on the KYW call letters.[footnote]\u201cMoving Day,\u201d Broadcasting<\/em>, June 7, 1965.[\/footnote] The National Broadcasting Company told its many Cleveland listeners not to worry that the new station would have its own identity very soon. The positive moves by NBC and WBC made all the difference. They waylay any of the earlier fears expressed by some staff members that something had gone terribly wrong and that the managers were trying to cover it up. Nothing could be further from the truth.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nA <\/span>number of <\/span>tape record<\/span>ings <\/span>captured the <\/span>fury of the <\/span>day <\/span>when <\/span>the <\/span>switch<\/span>over<\/span> transpired<\/span>. There was <\/span>definitely <\/span>some <\/span>drama <\/span>in the air <\/span>on <\/span>the morning of June 19<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span> as <\/span>both the <\/span>National<\/span> <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>Company<\/span> and <\/span>the <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany announc<\/span>ed <\/span>the <\/span>ex<\/span>change.[footnote]\u201cThe Great Swap Takes Place June 19,\u201d Broadcasting<\/em>, June 14, 1965. KYW Swap: https:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=-Z3Moxn1p0Y<\/a>.[\/footnote] <\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-Z3Moxn1p0Y\r\n\r\nBut, you had to be up <\/span>pretty <\/span>early <\/span>to hear it<\/span> live<\/span>. <\/span>A<\/span>ssigned the honor<\/span>, Jay Lawrence <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>joked about <\/span>NBC\u2019s <\/span>David <\/span>Sarnoff and his entourage <\/span>arriving in <\/span>Cleveland <\/span>any moment <\/span>to <\/span>oversee th<\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>major <\/span>event<\/span>. <\/span>His show <\/span>was <\/span>extremely <\/span>boisterous <\/span>with all kinds of <\/span>bells and whistles<\/span> to signal the occasion<\/span>. The <\/span>party atmosphere <\/span>he <\/span>created <\/span>that <\/span>particular <\/span>morning <\/span>closely resembled a three-ring circus. It was pandemonium from start to finish beginning with sidesplitting men on the street interviews and ending with \u201cHappy Days Are Here Again.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nKYW-AM ended its <\/span>nine year<\/span>s <\/span>in Cleveland at exactly 4:59 a.m. <\/span>on June 19, 1965 <\/span>when <\/span>Jay <\/span>Lawrence said good bye to Group W and <\/span>said hello to <\/span>NBC\u2019s newest affiliate<\/span> WKYC<\/span>. <\/span>After v<\/span>eteran SOHIO Reporter Bill Tompkins delivered <\/span>its <\/span>first newscast<\/span>, <\/span>th<\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>brand <\/span>new <\/span>NBC <\/span>station was <\/span>up and running<\/span>. At the other end, a <\/span>soft spoken <\/span>announce<\/span>r<\/span> said \u201cGood Morning this is KYW 1060 AM in Philadelphia, a Group W station, owned-and-operated by the Westinghouse Broadcasting Company.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>Cleveland\u2019s listening audience <\/span>wanted to know <\/span>if there was any <\/span>special <\/span>significance <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>new <\/span>WKYC <\/span>call <\/span>letters.<\/span> <\/span>Some <\/span>speculated <\/span>th<\/span>at <\/span>NBC <\/span>had <\/span>come<\/span> up with th<\/span>em <\/span>a<\/span>t the last m<\/span>inute<\/span>. <\/span>However, <\/span>that was <\/span>probably <\/span>not t<\/span>he case<\/span>. Similar <\/span>sound<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>to KYW strongly suggested that <\/span>the all-new <\/span>WKYC <\/span>might have <\/span>hop<\/span>ed <\/span>to ride <\/span>on the coattails of its <\/span>successful <\/span>predecessor. However, <\/span>NBC\u2019s <\/span>management team <\/span>put a <\/span>somewhat<\/span> <\/span>different spin on <\/span>the whole thing<\/span>. <\/span>Apparently, <\/span>they <\/span>believed <\/span>that using <\/span>similar call letters might <\/span>lessen the <\/span>amount of <\/span>confusion <\/span>for <\/span>Clevelanders <\/span>as they <\/span>got <\/span>use to<\/span> <\/span>the <\/span>new<\/span>est<\/span> <\/span>station in town.\u00a0<\/span>Even <\/span>Jay Lawrence <\/span>s<\/span>eemed <\/span>somewhat <\/span>confused <\/span>during <\/span>his <\/span>first hour of broadcasting. <\/span>At one point, h<\/span>e started to <\/span>blurt out <\/span>KYW and then <\/span>quick<\/span>ly <\/span>corrected himself. <\/span>H<\/span>e admit<\/span>ted <\/span>that old habits<\/span> <\/span>die hard.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nTh<\/span>at <\/span>switch <\/span>i<\/span>mmediately <\/span>strengthen<\/span>ed<\/span> Cleveland\u2019s <\/span>total <\/span>operation<\/span>al capacity <\/span>as many of <\/span>the former KYW radio <\/span>managers <\/span>remained at <\/span>their posts<\/span>. <\/span>The <\/span>same<\/span> could not be said for KYW<\/span>-Philadelphia<\/span> <\/span>where <\/span>personnel <\/span>c<\/span>hanges <\/span>revolutionized <\/span>everything<\/span>. <\/span>T<\/span>wo not<\/span>eworthy <\/span>development<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>in<\/span>volved <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>Perry Bascom and <\/span>WBZ\u2019s <\/span>Richard H. Harris. <\/span>Bascom <\/span>left <\/span>for <\/span>Boston <\/span>while Harris transferred to <\/span>Phi<\/span>ladelphia<\/span>. <\/span>That <\/span>s<\/span>ame Richard Harris later <\/span>served as Group W <\/span>chairman<\/span>.[footnote]James B. Flanagan, \u201cDaly in Lions\u2019 Den with Capp, Condon,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 14, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Meanwhile<\/span>, business <\/span>i<\/span>n the new<\/span>est<\/span> <\/span>Cleveland<\/span> <\/span>station <\/span>continued <\/span>on <\/span>as usual<\/span>. Martin & Howard <\/span>still did <\/span>their morning gig <\/span>w<\/span>ith <\/span>the other<\/span> jocks<\/span> <\/span>d<\/span>oing their <\/span>daily <\/span>s<\/span>hows<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Although <\/span>th<\/span>ose<\/span> <\/span>DJs <\/span>remained hard at work <\/span>they still worr<\/span>i<\/span>ed <\/span>about <\/span>their<\/span> <\/span>future <\/span>on the <\/span>new <\/span>1100 Cleveland<\/span>. Whether <\/span>the new outlet <\/span>would <\/span>achieve <\/span>its <\/span>specific <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>goals <\/span>and objectives depended <\/span>on <\/span>it <\/span>continually <\/span>gain<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>a <\/span>steady stream of <\/span>new listeners while <\/span>ever <\/span>expanding <\/span>its <\/span>advertis<\/span>ing base<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>One interesting side note<\/span> <\/span>revolved around the <\/span>growing number of <\/span>top quality <\/span>newscasters <\/span>that were <\/span>joining <\/span>th<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>new <\/span>WKYC-Radio lineup.<\/span> It <\/span>include<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>a slew of veteran<\/span> <\/span>broadcasters<\/span> and reporter <\/span>ranging from <\/span>Bob Becker<\/span> and <\/span>Virgil Dominic<\/span> to <\/span>Joe Mosbrook and John O\u2019Day\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/span><\/span><\/em> expressed every confidence that the new <\/span>WKYC<\/span>-Radio<\/span> <\/span>would <\/span>continue to <\/span>offer <\/span>the <\/span>very <\/span>best in <\/span>daily <\/span>p<\/span>rogram<\/span>ming<\/span>. <\/span>That same newspaper <\/span>also believed that <\/span>NBC <\/span>would <\/span>keep <\/span>its <\/span>popular <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>format <\/span>at 1100 AM <\/span>w<\/span>hile <\/span>maintaining its <\/span>c<\/span>lassical music <\/span>format <\/span>at 105.7 <\/span>FM<\/span>. <\/span>I<\/span>n a <\/span>\u201clook at us\u201d ad in the June 19<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>Broadcasting<\/em>, The Business Weekly of Television & Radio<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span>the <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> <\/span>listed all of its <\/span>current <\/span>stations <\/span>that <\/span>includ<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>the new <\/span>KYW<\/span>-Philadelphia<\/span>.[footnote]\u201cGroup W, Westinghouse Broadcasting Company,\u201d Broadcasting<\/em>, June 19, 1965.[\/footnote]\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nIn terms of <\/span>Jim Runyon<\/span>, <\/span>his <\/span>fabulous <\/span>timing, dry <\/span>wit <\/span>and <\/span>an <\/span>impeccable<\/span> radio voice <\/span>empowered <\/span>him to become <\/span>a leading <\/span>local <\/span>jock <\/span>very <\/span>rapidly<\/span>. <\/span>Unfortunately<\/span>,<\/span> he was not happy with the <\/span>kind of<\/span> <\/span>treatment he <\/span>had <\/span>received at <\/span>the new <\/span>Radio 11<\/span>. <\/span>Officials at <\/span>RCA-NBC <\/span>really <\/span>like<\/span>d<\/span> Runyon<\/span>\u2019s style<\/span> <\/span>which meant that <\/span>he received <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>very <\/span>generous <\/span>annual <\/span>salary <\/span>estimated to be <\/span>$<\/span>22,000<\/span>.[footnote]\u201cJim Runyon Signs Off,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 19, 1965.[\/footnote]\u00a0 <\/span>However<\/span>, that <\/span>high <\/span>salary <\/span>came <\/span>with <\/span>a <\/span>stiff <\/span>price. He was <\/span>expected <\/span>to work <\/span>seven-day<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>a <\/span>week<\/span>. <\/span>Runyon was one of <\/span>it<\/span>s big guns and WKYC<\/span>-radio<\/span> <\/span>didn\u2019t<\/span> want <\/span>to lose him<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>But<\/span>, <\/span>that wa<\/span>s <\/span>exactly what <\/span>happened <\/span>following <\/span>his June 18<\/span>, <\/span>19<\/span>65 <\/span>show.<\/span> <\/span>D<\/span>issatisfaction <\/span>with <\/span>how <\/span>the <\/span>station <\/span>exchange <\/span>was conducted <\/span>prompted <\/span>his<\/span> <\/span>unexpected <\/span>resign<\/span>ation<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>As you can well imagine, <\/span>Run<\/span>yon\u2019s <\/span>unsolicited <\/span>action<\/span> <\/span>sent shock waves throughout <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>N<\/span>etwork <\/span>official<\/span>s <\/span>responded by sending <\/span>a <\/span>group <\/span>of <\/span>Philly <\/span>radio pros to Cleveland<\/span>. The higher ups <\/span>in New York <\/span>had <\/span>hoped that <\/span>they <\/span>c<\/span>ould s<\/span>m<\/span>ooth<\/span> <\/span>over <\/span>ruffled feathers<\/span> quickly<\/span>. <\/span>Led by the former <\/span>GM at <\/span>WRVC <\/span>Arthur Watson<\/span> (1930-1991)<\/span>, tho<\/span>se <\/span>highly <\/span>trained <\/span>experts <\/span>wanted <\/span>to <\/span>hold on to <\/span>as <\/span>many <\/span>former <\/span>Group W employees<\/span> <\/span>in Cleveland as possible <\/span>and that <\/span>includ<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>\u201cA<\/span> Runyon named <\/span>Jim<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe rub <\/span>in <\/span>it <\/span>all <\/span>was that Watson was <\/span>first and foremost <\/span>a news <\/span>junky<\/span>.[footnote]James B. Flanagan, \u201cNBC Returns to Cleveland,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 20, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Specifically, <\/span>he <\/span>wanted <\/span>WKYC<\/span>-Radio<\/span>, like its predecessor KYW,<\/span> to <\/span>support <\/span>a <\/span>large news o<\/span>rganization<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Watson noted that WRCV<\/span>-<\/span>Philadelphia had nearly doubled its ratings by <\/span>doing just that<\/span>. <\/span>His common sense <\/span>approach towards <\/span>radio <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>didn\u2019t go un<\/span>noticed <\/span>by his colleagues <\/span>and friends <\/span>in Rockefeller Center<\/span>. He later <\/span>proudly <\/span>served as President of NBC Sports.<\/span> <\/span>However, leaders <\/span>in<\/span>side<\/span> both camps <\/span>found it hard to deny <\/span>that <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>had been a <\/span>big <\/span>winner for KYW<\/span>-Radio<\/span>. I<\/span>ts <\/span>repeated<\/span>ly <\/span>high <\/span>earnings<\/span> were a testimony <\/span>to its greatness<\/span>. <\/span>Experts <\/span>throughout <\/span>the <\/span>commercial radio industry <\/span>said that <\/span>RCA-<\/span>NBC <\/span>would be silly to <\/span>toss aside <\/span>such a <\/span>winning<\/span> formula<\/span>. <\/span>When <\/span>all <\/span>was <\/span>said and done, <\/span>WKYC <\/span>debuted as a Top 40 rock and roll station<\/span> <\/span>in the summer of 19<\/span>65<\/span>.[footnote]\u201cNBC Comes Back Tomorrow,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 18, 1965.[\/footnote] <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>It<\/span>s first <\/span>broadcast <\/span>as a Top 40 station <\/span>was <\/span>a <\/span>Beatles countdown.<\/span> Only time would tell <\/span>if <\/span>that <\/span>program <\/span>format <\/span>w<\/span>ould <\/span>yield the kin<\/span>d of <\/span>high <\/span>revenues that <\/span>NBC <\/span>both <\/span>wanted and <\/span>needed<\/span>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nDuring his <\/span>brief <\/span>stay in <\/span>Cleveland, <\/span>Watson <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>reassure<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>his <\/span>nervous <\/span>staff that the transition was <\/span>moving along<\/span> <\/span>well<\/span>. He <\/span>knew it would take <\/span>weeks<\/span> perhaps <\/span>months before all the <\/span>wrinkles<\/span> <\/span>w<\/span>ould be <\/span>finally <\/span>ironed out<\/span>. <\/span>But, that didn\u2019t concern him. <\/span>H<\/span>e <\/span>also <\/span>seemed to <\/span>fully <\/span>underst<\/span>and <\/span>why some KYW<\/span> <\/span>stalwarts <\/span>such as <\/span>Dick Goddard <\/span>(1931-2020) <\/span>and Tom Snyder (1936-2007) <\/span>chose to <\/span>relocate <\/span>to Phil<\/span>ly<\/span> rather than stay in Cleveland<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Apparently, t<\/span>hey liked working for <\/span>the <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>Company and they wanted to be a part of a station they respected and trusted. However, Watson was equally sure that former WRCV\u2019s very trusted weatherman Wally Kinan (1919-2002) and that station\u2019s prime newscaster John \u201cBud\u201d Dancy (1937-2021) would readily fit into the busy Cleveland scene.[footnote]Flanagan, \u201cNBC Returns to Cleveland.\u201d[\/footnote] <\/span>\u00a0Westinghouse had even bigger changes in store for the new Philadelphia-based KYW. Plans called for its middle-of-the-road format to be completely and totally scrapped for an all-news lineup.[footnote]Bert J. Reesing, \u201c12-Inch Portable TV Operates 3 Ways,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 22, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0This news format closely resembled the one first introduced earlier that spring on its sister station in New York 1010 WINS.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nTh<\/span>at <\/span>significant change <\/span>represented <\/span>the next <\/span>logical step for W<\/span>BC <\/span>as the <\/span>public <\/span>increasingly <\/span>demand<\/span>ed <\/span>more <\/span>extensive <\/span>news<\/span> coverage<\/span> on their many AM outlets<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>It <\/span>was the perfect solution<\/span> although it <\/span>posed a certain degree of <\/span>financial <\/span>risk<\/span> for <\/span>the W<\/span>estinghouse<\/span> Broadcasting<\/span> Company<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>As you <\/span>might<\/span> have already<\/span> <\/span>figured out,<\/span> venturing into <\/span>unchartered <\/span>waters <\/span>without a <\/span>safety net <\/span>to <\/span>catch<\/span> you <\/span>was not <\/span>something <\/span>to be <\/span>undertake<\/span>n<\/span> <\/span>by the <\/span>light <\/span>hearted<\/span>. However, <\/span>initial surveys <\/span>of local listeners strongly <\/span>indicate<\/span>d<\/span> that this new format <\/span>should <\/span>be a<\/span>n immediate<\/span> winner.<\/span> <\/span>Also, the decision by <\/span>W<\/span>BC <\/span>to <\/span>experiment in <\/span>the <\/span>highly populated <\/span>New York and Philadelphia<\/span> markets<\/span> <\/span>seemed to make <\/span>a great deal of <\/span>sense<\/span> in the mid-\u201860s<\/span>. <\/span>Their <\/span>daily <\/span>lineup<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>featured <\/span>h<\/span>ours <\/span>upon <\/span>hours <\/span>of <\/span>local<\/span>, regional<\/span> and national news supplemented by <\/span>human interest <\/span>features<\/span> along with<\/span> <\/span>plenty of <\/span>sports<\/span>, <\/span>frequent <\/span>traffic update<\/span>s <\/span>and <\/span>pertinent <\/span>weather <\/span>forecasts<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Ten sixty <\/span>on the <\/span>AM <\/span>dial <\/span>has retained that <\/span>program <\/span>format <\/span>with <\/span>minor <\/span>changes <\/span>to the present day<\/span>. In November 2020, <\/span>KYW-FM <\/span>also <\/span>adopted the <\/span>same <\/span>format<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nFrom the <\/span>NBC<\/span> network\u2019s <\/span>perspective<\/span>, th<\/span>is <\/span>new<\/span>est <\/span>Midwest<\/span> <\/span>outlet <\/span>would have to <\/span>prov<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>its<\/span> <\/span>financial value <\/span>repeatedly<\/span>. <\/span>It <\/span>could <\/span>not <\/span>be <\/span>simply <\/span>an updated <\/span>version of <\/span>the <\/span>once popular <\/span>WTAM<\/span>. <\/span>These new 50,000 watts<\/span> <\/span>broadcaster <\/span>would have to be <\/span>a<\/span> totally different <\/span>kind of <\/span>animal<\/span>. <\/span>Of course, <\/span>NBC <\/span>acknowledged <\/span>that <\/span>fact <\/span>and <\/span>responded <\/span>enthusiastically <\/span>by <\/span>publish<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>a full-page <\/span><\/span>Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span>ad<\/span> <\/span>on June 21, <\/span>19<\/span>65 <\/span>in which <\/span>it <\/span>promis<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>Clevelanders <\/span>relevant <\/span>program<\/span>ming<\/span> along with <\/span>the best news<\/span> coverage<\/span> possible<\/span>.[footnote]\u201cHello Cleveland\u2026NBC Calling,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 21, 1965.[\/footnote] <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>However, <\/span>those <\/span>promises <\/span>did <\/span>very little <\/span>to <\/span>remove <\/span>t<\/span>he h<\/span>urt <\/span>feelings <\/span>many still felt <\/span>o<\/span>ver <\/span>the <\/span>callous<\/span> firing of <\/span>one of their <\/span>favorites<\/span> <\/span>Jim <\/span>Stagg<\/span>. \u201c<\/span>A<\/span> <\/span>Runyon<\/span> named Jim\u201d charged <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse w<\/span>ith promoting \u201cbad faith\u201d <\/span>when it <\/span>fired one of<\/span> <\/span>his <\/span>close<\/span>st<\/span> <\/span>colleague<\/span>s<\/span> and friends<\/span> without <\/span>any <\/span>warning<\/span>. He argued <\/span>that <\/span>Stagg\u2019s <\/span>firing <\/span>had <\/span>needlessl<\/span>y <\/span>threatened <\/span>hi<\/span>s <\/span>future job <\/span>prospects. <\/span>As everyone <\/span>in the <\/span>commercial radio <\/span>business <\/span>already <\/span>knew <\/span>few <\/span>s<\/span>tation <\/span>owners<\/span> <\/span>sided with known <\/span>\u201c<\/span>troublemakers<\/span>\u201d<\/span> <\/span>preferring instead to <\/span>hire eager <\/span>jocks <\/span>waiting <\/span>in the wings<\/span>. <\/span>Abundant <\/span>c<\/span>omplaints <\/span>surfaced <\/span>regarding <\/span>those <\/span>\u201c<\/span>unfulfilled <\/span>promises<\/span>\u201d<\/span> <\/span>made to Jim Stagg <\/span>by KYW<\/span>-Radio<\/span>.[footnote]James B. Flanagan, \u201cJim Runyon\u2019s Fate in Lawyer\u2019s Hands,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, June 28, 1965.[\/footnote] <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Allegedly, the <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany had <\/span>told <\/span>him that <\/span>he could be released from his <\/span>present <\/span>contact if <\/span>KYW <\/span>change<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>hands<\/span>. But, <\/span>WKYC\u2019s <\/span>new <\/span>GM Bob Martin <\/span>remained <\/span>skeptical<\/span> <\/span>about the whole thing reminding everyone that <\/span>Radio 11 <\/span>had the<\/span> <\/span>discretion <\/span>to <\/span>hire or <\/span>fire anyone <\/span>it wanted at <\/span>any time<\/span>.[footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]\u00a0 <\/span>That <\/span>power to hire or fire someone at will <\/span>rapidly <\/span>became <\/span>a <\/span>bone of <\/span>contention <\/span>between <\/span>jocks and station <\/span>managers<\/span> alike<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>In fact, <\/span>Runyon<\/span> was not buying <\/span>any of <\/span>it <\/span>and <\/span>r<\/span>esigned <\/span>form WKYC <\/span>claiming that <\/span>Stagg\u2019s <\/span>dismissal <\/span>was <\/span>totally <\/span>inexcusable<\/span>. <\/span>DJs and managers <\/span>also <\/span>argued <\/span>as to <\/span>whether th<\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>recent <\/span>station <\/span>trade <\/span>should be legally <\/span>considered <\/span>a<\/span>n<\/span> <\/span>acquisition or exchange.\u00a0<\/span>Runyon<\/span>\u2019s lawyers<\/span> argued that <\/span>those actions represented <\/span>an acquisition <\/span>with <\/span>all <\/span>the <\/span>legal <\/span>stipulations<\/span> <\/span>related to <\/span>such <\/span>a deal<\/span>. <\/span>NBC<\/span>\u2019s legal counsel <\/span>totally <\/span>disagreed<\/span> <\/span>saying <\/span>it was <\/span>a<\/span>n <\/span>exchange<\/span> <\/span>with few <\/span>legal <\/span>ramifications<\/span>.[footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>To be perfectly honest<\/span>, most <\/span>listener<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>didn\u2019t <\/span>care<\/span> <\/span>one way or another<\/span> what it was<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>They <\/span>wanted <\/span>Stagg <\/span>back <\/span>on the air<\/span> <\/span>end discussion<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nWhen <\/span>you<\/span> <\/span>as a <\/span>mid-\u201860s <\/span>program director <\/span>got wind of the fact <\/span>that a <\/span>great <\/span>talent like Jim <\/span>Runyon<\/span> <\/span>wa<\/span>s available you <\/span>act<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>quickly<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>and that wa<\/span>s <\/span>exactly <\/span>what his <\/span>previous <\/span>boss <\/span>Ken Draper <\/span>did. <\/span>He <\/span>immediately <\/span>hired him <\/span>for <\/span>his morning show at WCFL.[footnote]\u201cJim Runyon Working for Chicago Station.\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 8, 1965.[\/footnote]<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>In <\/span>response<\/span> to <\/span>Draper\u2019s<\/span> actions<\/span>, <\/span>Bob Martin announced that <\/span>RCA-<\/span>NBC<\/span> <\/span>would <\/span>be <\/span>fil<\/span>ing<\/span> an injunction <\/span>against <\/span>Runyon<\/span>. That<\/span> <\/span>legal action <\/span>would <\/span>prevent <\/span>him from <\/span>broadcasting in <\/span>Chicago<\/span> <\/span>at least for <\/span>the interim<\/span>. <\/span>Jim <\/span>Runyon<\/span>\u2019s reaction <\/span>to Martin\u2019s <\/span>harsh <\/span>ultimatum <\/span>was <\/span>instantaneous<\/span>. He cried <\/span>\u201cfoul\u201d <\/span>claiming <\/span>that <\/span>his <\/span>contract <\/span>had <\/span>permitted <\/span>him under <\/span>certain <\/span>specified <\/span>circumstances<\/span> <\/span>to <\/span>begin to broadcast at <\/span>another outlet<\/span> without <\/span>having to face <\/span>possible <\/span>repercussions<\/span> from his former employer<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>As a last ditched effort, Runyon argued that WKYC\u2019s should have willingly released him from any further obligations after having read more carefully the fine print found at the bottom of his contract.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nThat <\/span>same <\/span>August, <\/span>WGAR<\/span>-FM<\/span> said <\/span>farewell <\/span>to <\/span>its <\/span>few <\/span>remaining<\/span> NBC programs<\/span> and<\/span> <\/span>joined <\/span>the <\/span>expanding <\/span>ABC<\/span>-Radio<\/span> network<\/span>.[footnote]\u201cWGAR to Switch from NBC to ABC Radio,\u201d Broadcasting<\/em>, August 16, 1965.[\/footnote] <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>At the <\/span>same <\/span>time<\/span>, WKYC<\/span>,<\/span> t<\/span>aking <\/span>a<\/span> cue <\/span>from<\/span> <\/span>its<\/span> sister station <\/span>W<\/span>HK<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>began <\/span>tap<\/span>ping<\/span> into <\/span>the <\/span>potentially lucrative <\/span>revenue stream<\/span> <\/span>pouring forth from <\/span>its <\/span>many <\/span>local<\/span> <\/span>rock <\/span>and roll <\/span>bands. <\/span>L<\/span>abeled <\/span>the \u201cCleveland Sound<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d <\/span>WKYC <\/span>radio <\/span>personalities <\/span>started <\/span>showcas<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>different <\/span>bands e<\/span>very<\/span> <\/span>hour.[footnote]James B. Flanagan, \u201cNation Needs Cleveland Rock,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, September 12, 1965.[\/footnote] <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>It <\/span>was <\/span>that station\u2019s <\/span>response to <\/span>popular <\/span>Motown and <\/span>the <\/span>Phil<\/span>ly<\/span> <\/span>sounds.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>WKYC\u2019s <\/span>broadcasters<\/span> <\/span>boasted th<\/span>at <\/span>Cleveland<\/span> bands<\/span> <\/span>literally <\/span>outperformed <\/span>all <\/span>others<\/span>. Maybe they were stretching <\/span>the truth<\/span> <\/span>a bit<\/span>, but it <\/span>work<\/span>ed<\/span>. <\/span>Over the next several years, some <\/span>record companies <\/span>signed groups <\/span>including <\/span>the <\/span>\u201cRaspberries,\u201d <\/span>\u201cTwilighters\u201d and \u201cVisions\u201d <\/span>to <\/span>lucrative <\/span>contracts<\/span>.[footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Pulse Radio Ratings<\/span>, <\/span>Arbitron and <\/span>Nielsen<\/span> <\/span>between <\/span>June <\/span>and<\/span> October <\/span>\u2018<\/span>65 <\/span>listed WKYC<\/span>-Radio<\/span> as Cleveland\u2019s number one station.[footnote]\u201cThank You for Making WKYC Radio #1,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 25, 1965.[\/footnote] <\/span>A <\/span>new <\/span>audience<\/span>-base<\/span> <\/span>was <\/span>unfolding <\/span>right before <\/span>our <\/span>eyes. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>However, <\/span>closer scrutiny strongly suggested that <\/span>the hoopla surrounding the change <\/span>of <\/span>ownership <\/span>followed by <\/span>the heated <\/span>controversies <\/span>regarding <\/span>the firing and <\/span>resignations <\/span>of <\/span>some of that station\u2019s <\/span>favorite <\/span>jocks <\/span>must <\/span>been <\/span>largely <\/span>responsible for much<\/span> of <\/span>its <\/span>extraordinary <\/span>initial <\/span>success<\/span>. <\/span>Undoubtedly<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>free advertising <\/span>provided through daily news headlines helped to focus the public\u2019s attention towards these new 50,000 watts powerhouse at the expense of other competing local stations. Over time, more scathing alienation between easily provoked WKYC disc jockeys and their tight-fisted bosses occurring in conjunction with dwindling audiences forced NBC officials to stop popping their champagne corks.<\/span>\r\n\r\nBusiness p<\/span>roblems <\/span>began <\/span>surfac<\/span>ing <\/span>in<\/span> July \u201966<\/span> <\/span>when <\/span><\/span>The C<\/span>l<\/span>eveland Plain Dealer<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span>s<\/span>tarted to <\/span>question <\/span>the positive <\/span>publicity pieces <\/span>regularly being released by <\/span>the <\/span>WKYC<\/span>-Cleveland <\/span>studios<\/span>. <\/span>S<\/span>omething was <\/span>definitely<\/span> <\/span>going <\/span>wrong <\/span>when Harry Martin <\/span>started <\/span>to <\/span>complain<\/span> <\/span>about the <\/span>poor<\/span> <\/span>way he was being treated by<\/span> <\/span>station <\/span>officials<\/span>. <\/span>Behind the scene<\/span>s<\/span>, h<\/span>e and <\/span>his side kick <\/span>Specs <\/span>Howard wanted <\/span>out<\/span> of their contracts<\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Le<\/span>ader<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>in <\/span>Cleveland <\/span>morning <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>for <\/span>the past <\/span>four years<\/span>, r<\/span>umors had been circulating <\/span>for <\/span>several <\/span>months <\/span>that the<\/span> duo wanted <\/span>to <\/span>relocate either <\/span>to <\/span>Chicago or <\/span>Detroit<\/span>.[footnote]James B. Flanagan, \u201cMeeting May Decide Whether Martin, Howard Leave,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, July 20, 1966.[\/footnote] <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Those r<\/span>umors continued to <\/span>fly <\/span>for <\/span>several <\/span>more <\/span>months <\/span>culminating with Martin\u2019s firing on <\/span>November 8, <\/span>19<\/span>66<\/span>.[footnote]Bert J. Reesing, \u201c2 TV Specials Slated Tonight, Unfortunately at the Same Hour,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, November 9, 1966.[\/footnote]<\/span> \u00a0<\/span>Specs Howard <\/span>stayed on <\/span>a bit <\/span>longer. <\/span>Two and a half months later,<\/span> th<\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>fabulous morning <\/span>duo <\/span>reemerged <\/span>on <\/span>the ABC owned and operated station in Detroit <\/span>WXYZ. <\/span>Their <\/span>new morning <\/span>show <\/span>called <\/span>\u201cDay is Here\u201d ran <\/span>seven days a week <\/span>to <\/span>mostly <\/span>positive <\/span>reviews.[footnote]\u201cDay is Here! Martin and Howard, Seven Days Each Week, 6 a.m.-10 a.m. WXYZ-1270, An ABC Owned Station,\u201d Detroit Free Press<\/em>, January 30, 1967.[\/footnote]\u00a0 <\/span>However, <\/span>the <\/span>Detroit <\/span>radio market <\/span>proved to be <\/span>far more competitive than Cleveland\u2019s and t<\/span>hey lasted <\/span>a mere <\/span>two years<\/span>. <\/span>Specs <\/span>Howard <\/span>soon <\/span>return<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>to <\/span>his old haunts <\/span>at <\/span>Radio 11<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nA fast<\/span>-<\/span>talking pair <\/span>of jocks <\/span>out of <\/span>Texas<\/span> <\/span>called <\/span>Charlie & Harrigan filled th<\/span>e<\/span> void<\/span> created by the <\/span>sudden <\/span>departure of <\/span>the much loved <\/span>team of <\/span>Martin and Howard<\/span>. <\/span>W<\/span>ithin two years<\/span>, <\/span>Charlie <\/span>& Harrigan <\/span>left Cleveland <\/span>for <\/span>KFMB<\/span> in <\/span>San Diego<\/span>. <\/span>However, <\/span>let\u2019s not get <\/span>too far <\/span>ahead of ourselves. <\/span>Another very popular Cleveland radio <\/span>celebrity <\/span>was <\/span>a<\/span>lso <\/span>about to call it quits<\/span> at Radio 11<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Jerry <\/span>G.,<\/span> <\/span>who <\/span>had <\/span>traveled with the Beatles<\/span> <\/span>on both of their <\/span>highly <\/span>successful <\/span>U.S. tours <\/span>and <\/span>had <\/span>hos<\/span>ted <\/span>a TV <\/span>dance program <\/span>that <\/span>rival<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>Don Webster\u2019s <\/span>nationally <\/span>syndicated <\/span>\u201cUpbeat\u201d <\/span>show,<\/span> <\/span>also <\/span>w<\/span>anted <\/span>out<\/span> of Cleveland<\/span>.[footnote]The Chatter Brothers, \u201cJerry G. Gone\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, December 31, 1966.[\/footnote]\u00a0 <\/span><\/span>Apparently, <\/span>Chicago <\/span>beckon<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>hi<\/span>m<\/span> as well<\/span> as he <\/span>head<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>west <\/span>to <\/span>WCFL. <\/span>America\u2019s \u201cSecond City\u201d was fast becoming <\/span>a <\/span>h<\/span>aven <\/span>for <\/span>former <\/span>Cleveland <\/span>DJs<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nWKYC <\/span>may have <\/span>be<\/span>come <\/span>a <\/span>big <\/span>city<\/span> broadcaster<\/span> <\/span>literally <\/span>overnight<\/span>,<\/span> but <\/span>it <\/span>still <\/span>needed <\/span>a dynamic <\/span>new <\/span>voice <\/span>to fill <\/span>the <\/span>void <\/span>created <\/span>by<\/span> the departure of <\/span>Harry Martin<\/span>, Specs <\/span>Howard and<\/span> <\/span>Jerry G. <\/span>It <\/span>required <\/span>someone <\/span>with <\/span>both <\/span>magnetism and <\/span>s<\/span>ex appeal. <\/span>After <\/span>interviewing <\/span>a number of <\/span>viable <\/span>candidates, <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany <\/span>finally <\/span>decide to <\/span>hire <\/span>a former pre-med student <\/span>from <\/span>San Antonio, TX<\/span> <\/span>called <\/span>Bob Cole.[footnote]James B. Flanagan, \u201cTexan Bob C Replaces WKYC\u2019s Jerry G,\u201d The Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em>, February 2, 1967.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>He <\/span>possessed <\/span>a smooth Texas drawl and <\/span>RCA-<\/span>NBC officials <\/span>counted <\/span>on him to draw <\/span>in <\/span>large numbers of <\/span>female listeners<\/span> <\/span>into <\/span>his <\/span>new <\/span>mid-<\/span>day <\/span>time <\/span>slot<\/span>. <\/span>Cole lasted <\/span>exactly <\/span>three years. <\/span>What <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> <\/span>programmers <\/span>were unable to <\/span>e<\/span>nvision <\/span>when <\/span>they <\/span>hir<\/span>ed<\/span> him <\/span>in <\/span>19<\/span>67 <\/span>was <\/span>the<\/span> possibility of <\/span>stiff competition from <\/span>Larry Morrow <\/span>at Cleveland\u2019s <\/span>new<\/span>est <\/span>rock and roll radio sensation WIXY-1260. An outgrowth of WDOK-AM, this new Top 40 outlet made its debut in December 1965.<\/span>\r\n\r\nMorrow <\/span>may have <\/span>been <\/span>new to <\/span>Cleveland, but h<\/span>e <\/span>was <\/span>already <\/span>well-<\/span>known <\/span>to <\/span>many <\/span>CKLW <\/span>listeners <\/span>a<\/span>s <\/span>\u201cDuke Windsor.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Now <\/span>called <\/span>Larry <\/span>\u201cThe Duker\u201d <\/span>Morrow<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>th<\/span>i<\/span>s <\/span>very <\/span>confidence <\/span>jock <\/span>instantly <\/span>drew<\/span> <\/span>a <\/span>line in the sand <\/span>to see <\/span>wh<\/span>ether he or <\/span>Bob <\/span>Cole <\/span>w<\/span>ould<\/span> <\/span>draw <\/span>in <\/span>the greatest number of <\/span>new <\/span>listeners. <\/span>At first, it looked as if <\/span>WKYC<\/span>-Radio<\/span> <\/span>enjoyed <\/span>a<\/span> decided <\/span>advantage<\/span> over WIXY-1260<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Being a<\/span> <\/span>50,000 watts <\/span>powerhouse<\/span>, <\/span>WKYC <\/span>could draw upon NBC<\/span>\u2019s vast <\/span>war chest<\/span> <\/span>when<\/span>ever<\/span> necessary<\/span>. <\/span>The same could not be said about WIXY. It <\/span>was <\/span>only <\/span>a <\/span>5,000 watts <\/span>outlet with <\/span>a signal that <\/span>abruptly <\/span>ended <\/span>at the <\/span>Cuyahoga C<\/span>ounty <\/span>line<\/span>. But WIXY <\/span>possessed <\/span>something <\/span>that <\/span>WKYC did not <\/span>have <\/span>a<\/span> highly <\/span>imaginative <\/span>publicity <\/span>department <\/span>a<\/span>nd <\/span>very <\/span>smart <\/span>owners Norm Wai<\/span>n<\/span>, Bob Weiss<\/span> and Joe Zingale<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Th<\/span>at station\u2019s <\/span>undefinable aura that <\/span>dr<\/span>e<\/span>w <\/span>large numbers of <\/span>people<\/span> <\/span>to<\/span>wards<\/span> <\/span>fun <\/span>jocks <\/span>such <\/span>Larry Morrow<\/span> <\/span>soon <\/span>tipped the <\/span>balance <\/span>in favor of <\/span>th<\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>decided <\/span>underdog<\/span>.[footnote]Interview with Media Specialist and Author Mike Olszewski on August 13, 2021 and August 27, 2021.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0Over th<\/span>e<\/span> next decade, 1260 AM <\/span>pro<\/span>udly showcased <\/span>many <\/span>top <\/span>DJs<\/span>.<\/span> They included <\/span>the likes of <\/span>Billy Bass, Victor Boc, Jerry Brooke, Mike Kelly, Dick <\/span>\u201cWild Child\u201d <\/span>Kemp, Lou King Kirby, <\/span>Chuck Knapp, <\/span>Bobby Magic, Mike Reineri and Joey Reynolds<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Remember Joe Finan, he was <\/span>there <\/span>too. <\/span>Those <\/span>radio <\/span>personalities did very well <\/span>against WKYC\u2019s <\/span>favorites<\/span> <\/span>such as <\/span>Chuck Dann, Alan Douglas, Chuck Dunaway, Jay Lawrence and Jim LaBarbara.[footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>In fact, WIXY\u2019s astonishing <\/span>success <\/span>drew <\/span>the <\/span>nationally re<\/span>nowned <\/span>jock <\/span>Chuck Dunaway <\/span>to leave <\/span>the <\/span>rather <\/span>drab NBC studios <\/span>at 1405 <\/span>East 6<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span> Street for the riveting <\/span>new <\/span>WIXY<\/span> facilities <\/span>at 3940 <\/span>Euclid Avenue<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nOf course,<\/span> a host of <\/span>unexpected <\/span>economic and social <\/span>forces<\/span> <\/span>repetitively <\/span>tinged <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>Cleveland <\/span>radio <\/span>scene <\/span>in <\/span>the late \u201860s and early \u201870s<\/span>. <\/span>They <\/span>symbolized <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>troubling <\/span>period <\/span>in U.S. <\/span>history <\/span>when <\/span>previously <\/span>hel<\/span>d <\/span>beliefs <\/span>w<\/span>ere<\/span> <\/span>being <\/span>vilified <\/span>by teen<\/span>s and youn<\/span>g<\/span> adults<\/span> alike<\/span>. <\/span><\/span>Escalating <\/span>Cold War <\/span>tensions<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>growing <\/span>civil rights <\/span>agitation <\/span>a<\/span>nd <\/span>increas<\/span>ing <\/span>opposition to <\/span>the <\/span>Viet Nam <\/span>War appeared to <\/span>sap <\/span>America\u2019s <\/span>earlier <\/span>co<\/span>nfidence<\/span> <\/span>and vitality <\/span>as a nation<\/span>. Th<\/span>ey <\/span>unequivocally <\/span>affected <\/span>the <\/span>course <\/span>of <\/span>commercial <\/span>radio<\/span> for the next two decades<\/span>. <\/span>Certain <\/span>FM stations <\/span>helped this <\/span>cause <\/span>greatly <\/span>by se<\/span>eking <\/span>out <\/span>large<\/span>r<\/span> <\/span>and larger <\/span>numbers of <\/span>disgruntled <\/span>radio listener<\/span>s<\/span>. <\/span>Many of t<\/span>hose<\/span> <\/span>new FM <\/span>listeners <\/span>directly <\/span>ascribed to this <\/span>counter culture<\/span> that <\/span>did not hesitate to <\/span>challenge <\/span>the <\/span>long held<\/span> <\/span>beliefs <\/span>enthusiastically <\/span>expounded by <\/span>m<\/span>ost <\/span>conservative<\/span> element<\/span>s.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Spurred<\/span> on by the election of Richard M. Nixon as the 37<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span> U.S. President<\/span> in 1968<\/span>, <\/span>those expounding this <\/span>new <\/span>counter culture<\/span> saw <\/span>old style <\/span>c<\/span>onservative <\/span>thinking<\/span> <\/span>as <\/span>highly <\/span>outmoded<\/span> in today\u2019s ever changing<\/span>,<\/span> fast-paced world<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Th<\/span>ey <\/span>further claimed th<\/span>at conservative<\/span> elements <\/span>w<\/span>ere responsible for th<\/span>is <\/span>nation\u2019<\/span>s <\/span>growing <\/span>despondency <\/span>and that their <\/span>self<\/span>ish <\/span>interests<\/span> <\/span>were destroying <\/span>any <\/span>remaining <\/span>scraps <\/span>of decency <\/span>l<\/span>eft <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>nation<\/span>. In terms of <\/span>the <\/span>emerging <\/span>FM audience<\/span> itself<\/span>, many of the<\/span>m <\/span>resolutely supported that embryonic Cultural Revolution no questions asked.[footnote]\u201cEvolution of Radio Broadcasting,\u201d https:\/\/open.lib.umn.edu\/mediaandculture\/chapter\/7-2-evolution-of-radio-broadcasting\/<\/a>.[\/footnote] They insisted that those new FM outlets reflect their more radical views by playing bolder, more meaningful music over traditional \u201cbubble gum\u201d hits. The sudden appearance of this radicalized counter cultural greatly worried many commercial radio broadcasters who were ill prepared to deal with this phenomenon.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nIt<\/span>s <\/span>sudden <\/span>arrival <\/span>led to <\/span>previously <\/span>unpredicted <\/span>advances <\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>conventional <\/span>broadcasting and <\/span>the <\/span>music industr<\/span>y. <\/span>Many <\/span>pacesetting <\/span>clubs a<\/span>nd <\/span>equally <\/span>broad-minded <\/span>recording studios <\/span>inspired <\/span>young <\/span>m<\/span>usicians <\/span>and singers<\/span> alike <\/span>to <\/span>ex<\/span>periment with <\/span>avant-garde <\/span>sounds<\/span>. <\/span>Beginning with <\/span>some of the <\/span>l<\/span>eading <\/span>underground<\/span> club<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>in <\/span>London <\/span>such as <\/span>Ladbroke Grove and Notting <\/span>Hill that<\/span> <\/span>customarily <\/span>welcomed <\/span>inventive <\/span>groups <\/span>such as <\/span>Hawkwind<\/span>, Pink<\/span> Floyd and Soft Machine<\/span>, this <\/span>highly <\/span>impulsive <\/span>music <\/span>experience <\/span>soon <\/span>jumped <\/span>a<\/span>cross the pond to <\/span>New York<\/span>, Chicago a<\/span>nd San Francisco<\/span>. <\/span>T<\/span>rend<\/span>y <\/span>clubs <\/span>in the states <\/span>such as <\/span>the Fillmores<\/span>, <\/span>the Scene, Whiskey <\/span>a<\/span> Go-Go, the <\/span>Troubadour<\/span> and Family Dog<\/span> <\/span>proudly <\/span>supported <\/span>their <\/span>daring efforts<\/span>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThat <\/span>ground-breaking <\/span>sound <\/span>encompassed <\/span>a broad range <\/span>of<\/span> <\/span>extravagant<\/span> <\/span>and sometimes <\/span>uncompromising new <\/span>musical <\/span>genres<\/span>. They <\/span>rang<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>from<\/span> baroque ensembles <\/span>and operettas <\/span>at one e<\/span>nd <\/span>of the spectrum <\/span>to folk <\/span>music <\/span>and <\/span>American <\/span>jazz<\/span> at the other<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Many of these <\/span>forward-thinking <\/span>performers <\/span>used a<\/span>nything and everything <\/span>they<\/span> could <\/span>get their hands <\/span>as a way of <\/span>loosening <\/span>up <\/span>the <\/span>stranglehold <\/span>that less <\/span>culturally <\/span>inspired <\/span>rock and roll <\/span>music<\/span> still <\/span>h<\/span>ad <\/span>on <\/span>leading <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>AM <\/span>s<\/span>tations<\/span>. <\/span>Inescapably<\/span>, r<\/span>ock and roll <\/span>music <\/span>splintered <\/span>into <\/span>different <\/span>kinds of<\/span> <\/span>one-off <\/span>sounds<\/span>. <\/span>Formerly <\/span>referred to as <\/span>Underground Rock<\/span>,<\/span> it <\/span>soon <\/span>evolved into <\/span>what was called <\/span>Progressive Rock<\/span>. B<\/span>y <\/span>19<\/span>69<\/span>, <\/span>Progressive Rock was <\/span>throwing <\/span>a<\/span>n even<\/span> wide<\/span>r <\/span>net <\/span>to embrace <\/span>bigger, <\/span>new<\/span>er <\/span>audience<\/span>s <\/span>who <\/span>want<\/span>ed<\/span> to break <\/span>away<\/span> from <\/span>more <\/span>conventional rock and roll music<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nSo how did this <\/span>trailblazing <\/span>sound <\/span>sweeping <\/span>the FM dial <\/span>affect <\/span>giant AM <\/span>station<\/span>s<\/span>?<\/span> The key <\/span>to <\/span>radio <\/span>success <\/span>no longer <\/span>resided <\/span>exclusively in the hands of <\/span>AM <\/span>powerhouses<\/span> like WKYC<\/span>-Cleveland<\/span>;<\/span> but rather, <\/span>with <\/span>previously <\/span>underappreciated<\/span> <\/span>local <\/span>FM<\/span> outlet<\/span>s. <\/span>The FM ban<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>provided Progressive Rock <\/span>the <\/span>ideal <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>vehicle <\/span>in which to <\/span>test <\/span>its <\/span>ver<\/span>y<\/span> <\/span>distinctive <\/span>sound<\/span>. <\/span>Its importance <\/span>in <\/span>large and small <\/span>communit<\/span>ies<\/span> <\/span>alike <\/span>grew <\/span>considerably <\/span>as access to FM<\/span> radio <\/span>became <\/span>much <\/span>eas<\/span>ier<\/span>. <\/span>As you might <\/span>have <\/span>expect<\/span>ed<\/span>, <\/span>AM radio <\/span>traditionally controlled <\/span>both <\/span>morning and afternoon drive<\/span> time<\/span>s<\/span> in <\/span>most <\/span>cities<\/span> <\/span>well <\/span>into the <\/span>19<\/span>70s<\/span>. It took <\/span>the rising number of FM radios in cars <\/span>to <\/span>change <\/span>those <\/span>listening habits forever.<\/span> <\/span>That meant that <\/span>l<\/span>eading <\/span>crossover artists <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>late <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s <\/span>such as <\/span>Jimi <\/span>Hendrix<\/span> (1942-1970)<\/span>, <\/span>Jim Morrison (1943-1971)<\/span>, <\/span>the <\/span>Iron Butterfly<\/span> and <\/span>Janis Joplin<\/span> <\/span>(1943-1970) <\/span>had <\/span>a tough time <\/span>gain<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>their fair share of <\/span>drive time<\/span>. They were <\/span>often fighting <\/span>against <\/span>ingrained <\/span>popular <\/span>performers <\/span>that <\/span>rang<\/span>ed<\/span> from <\/span>Herb Alpert<\/span> (b. 1935)<\/span> and <\/span>Engelbert Humperdinck<\/span> (b. 1936)<\/span> to<\/span> Frank Sinatra <\/span>(1915-1998) <\/span>and <\/span>Barbra Streisand<\/span> (b. 1942)<\/span>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWith all its faults<\/span>, <\/span>commercial <\/span>radio <\/span>remained <\/span>t<\/span>he <\/span>ma<\/span>in source of <\/span>entertainment<\/span>, information and <\/span>news <\/span>for young listeners <\/span>into the late <\/span>19<\/span>60s. However, that was <\/span>rapidly <\/span>changing as larger and larger numbers of teens and young adults were <\/span>buying <\/span>portable radios with FM bands<\/span>. They <\/span>wanted <\/span>to <\/span>avoid the <\/span>boring <\/span>sound<\/span>s <\/span>coming out of <\/span>local <\/span>AMs<\/span>. <\/span>At that same time, t<\/span>he <\/span>quality of <\/span>FM broadcasts w<\/span>as <\/span>improving<\/span> <\/span>each and every year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>That was something AM <\/span>outlets <\/span>could not <\/span>boast<\/span>. With the <\/span>possible <\/span>exception of <\/span>added <\/span>echo chambers and <\/span>some limited <\/span>experimentation with <\/span>something <\/span>broadcasters <\/span>like to <\/span>call \u201c<\/span>AM <\/span>stereo,<\/span>\u201d<\/span> the <\/span>actual <\/span>sound quality for most AM <\/span>stations <\/span>had <\/span>not improve<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>considerably <\/span>for years<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Imprecise<\/span>, erratic<\/span> <\/span>sound<\/span>s<\/span> interrupted by <\/span>large amounts of <\/span>static <\/span>coming <\/span>from <\/span>nearby <\/span>electrical wir<\/span>es<\/span>, large <\/span>steel structures <\/span>or <\/span>thunder storms<\/span> <\/span>severely <\/span>restricted <\/span>AM<\/span>\u2019s ability to <\/span>broadcast <\/span>the <\/span>kind o<\/span>f <\/span>clean, crisp sound <\/span>its<\/span> <\/span>many <\/span>listeners<\/span> <\/span>now <\/span>de<\/span>mande<\/span>d<\/span>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAlso, p<\/span>lease <\/span>keep in mind <\/span>that <\/span>most <\/span>AM programming <\/span>in the <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s and <\/span>\u2018<\/span>70s <\/span>w<\/span>as not <\/span>targeted <\/span>precisely <\/span>towards <\/span>young<\/span>er<\/span> <\/span>audience<\/span>s<\/span>. <\/span>In<\/span> its wake<\/span>, <\/span>those <\/span>l<\/span>isteners<\/span> <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>turned to <\/span>the <\/span>FM <\/span>side of the <\/span>radio <\/span>dial <\/span>to <\/span>get away<\/span> from <\/span>the <\/span>monotonous <\/span>program<\/span>ming that <\/span>characterized <\/span>most <\/span>large <\/span>Top 40<\/span> station<\/span>s <\/span>of that era <\/span>including <\/span>WKYC<\/span>. The FCC\u2019s ban on<\/span> <\/span>simulcast<\/span> broadcasting<\/span> that took hold <\/span>starting <\/span>in <\/span>\u2018<\/span>6<\/span>8<\/span> <\/span>may have <\/span>encouraged <\/span>even greater numbers of <\/span>FM listening<\/span>,<\/span> but <\/span>it <\/span>did <\/span>not <\/span>necessarily <\/span>promote <\/span>great<\/span>er earnings<\/span>. <\/span>In fact, <\/span>most <\/span>advertis<\/span>ers<\/span> of the <\/span>late 19<\/span>60s and <\/span>early<\/span> 19<\/span>70s <\/span>considered <\/span>FM radio <\/span>a <\/span>less than profitable market. Featuring long album cuts with only brief commercial interruptions was not what publicists generally wanted. After all, that was not where the bulk of the broadcasting money went even if FM broadcasters led the vanguard when it came to breakthroughs in musical artistry and presented. As we pointed out earlier, AM broadcasters were labeled as fast-talking announcers whose prime responsibility involved squeezing in as many ads as possible in-between a limited playlist. However, that was not the prime force behind the new FM rock music sound.<\/span>\r\n\r\nTh<\/span>at <\/span>\u201cfreedom <\/span>of <\/span>exp<\/span>ression<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d <\/span>first <\/span>promoted <\/span>by <\/span>ingenious <\/span>FM <\/span>radio personalities <\/span>through <\/span>custom made, free flowing <\/span>formats <\/span>was viewed by many in the commercial broadcasting field as <\/span>a <\/span>major <\/span>breakthrough<\/span>. It truly <\/span>represented <\/span>a <\/span>new<\/span> adventure <\/span>in music and talk<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>FM rockers <\/span>in Cleveland <\/span>l<\/span>ed by <\/span>WMMS, WNCR and WNOB <\/span>undeniably <\/span>left <\/span>their <\/span>mark <\/span>on <\/span>Northeast Ohio <\/span>radio <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>enterprising <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s and <\/span>\u2018<\/span>70s<\/span>.<\/span> Y<\/span>ou might wonder why those <\/span>locally-based <\/span>\u201c<\/span>underground stations<\/span>\u201d<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>tood <\/span>out<\/span> <\/span>among the crowd<\/span>?<\/span> The answer is<\/span> quite<\/span> <\/span>simple. <\/span>It began in <\/span>\u2018<\/span>68 with the <\/span>Metromedia owned <\/span>outlet <\/span>in Cleveland <\/span>WMMS<\/span>-FM<\/span>. Its <\/span>new <\/span>program<\/span>ming <\/span>closely <\/span>follow<\/span>ed <\/span>the <\/span>underground <\/span>format <\/span>first <\/span>perfected <\/span>by its <\/span>very <\/span>successful <\/span>sister station <\/span>in New York <\/span>WNEW-FM.<\/span> WMMS <\/span>at 100.7 FM <\/span>not only featured its own <\/span>distinct <\/span>shows<\/span>; but also, <\/span>featured <\/span>a late night <\/span>syndicated show hosted by <\/span>WNEW-FMs top <\/span>jock <\/span>Wi<\/span>lliam <\/span>(Rosko) <\/span>Mercer (1927-2000).\u00a0<\/span>WNCR<\/span> <\/span>at 99.9 FM <\/span>rapidl<\/span>y followed WMMS\u2019s example as did WNOB in nearby Newbury, OH. Interesting side note, the shrewd programmers working at WNOB took a somewhat different approach when they chose to affiliate with the new ABC-Radio\u2019s \u201cEverything is Love.\u201d Hosted by who else but Brother Love, 107.9 FM also enjoyed a loyal following into the \u201870s.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWas <\/span>11<\/span>00 AM<\/span> <\/span>aware of the <\/span>fierce <\/span>rivalry <\/span>unfolding <\/span>on the <\/span>flip <\/span>side of the dial<\/span>?\u00a0<\/span>Of course,<\/span> it was. However, <\/span>WKYC <\/span>managers <\/span>remained <\/span>hesitant<\/span> when it came <\/span>to <\/span>drastically <\/span>altering <\/span>their <\/span>daily <\/span>schedule<\/span>. <\/span>That was due to the fact that <\/span>any <\/span>significant <\/span>changes in <\/span>programming <\/span>had <\/span>to <\/span>first <\/span>go through <\/span>a t<\/span>ime consuming <\/span>process <\/span>that <\/span>originated <\/span>with <\/span>its <\/span>penny pinching <\/span>Board of Directors. <\/span>The prevailing <\/span>attitude <\/span>among the commercial radio industry <\/span>in th<\/span>e late <\/span>19<\/span>6<\/span>0<\/span>s <\/span>and early 1970s <\/span>was that <\/span>as long as <\/span>most <\/span>AM <\/span>stations<\/span>,<\/span> including WKYC<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>continued to generate <\/span>sufficiently <\/span>high <\/span>revenues <\/span>then <\/span>why change anything<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>WKYC<\/span>\u2019s staff<\/span> had <\/span>convinced <\/span>itself <\/span>that FM\u2019s <\/span>success <\/span>was <\/span>merely <\/span>a passing fad <\/span>and <\/span>that<\/span> it<\/span> w<\/span>ould<\/span> <\/span>end<\/span> soon<\/span>. They may have <\/span>been able <\/span>p<\/span>reviously <\/span>to <\/span>eliminate <\/span>any <\/span>growing <\/span>FM <\/span>competition<\/span>; however, <\/span>unforeseen <\/span>new <\/span>developments on the <\/span>AM <\/span>side of the dial <\/span>in the 1960s did not help their cause<\/span>. <\/span>Such <\/span>things as <\/span>WIXY<\/span>-1260<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>meteoric<\/span> rise <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>Cleveland <\/span>ratings <\/span>in <\/span>the mid-1960s<\/span> <\/span>had <\/span>compelled <\/span>successful <\/span>program<\/span> planners <\/span>at <\/span>major <\/span>stations such as <\/span>WHK <\/span>to <\/span>drastically <\/span>change <\/span>their <\/span>traditional <\/span>format<\/span>s<\/span>. <\/span>Gone were the days when <\/span>WHK with its <\/span>Color Radio Channel 14<\/span> ruled the <\/span>Cleveland <\/span>AM airways. Closer to home, WKYC-Radio was still looking for its own unique identity while the world around it was changing outrageously quickly.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs <\/span>we saw <\/span>earlier<\/span>, WIXY<\/span>\u2019s programmers<\/span> knew <\/span>the steps necessary <\/span>to gr<\/span>oom <\/span>a loyal <\/span>listening <\/span>audience<\/span> <\/span>in <\/span>spite <\/span>of <\/span>their station\u2019s <\/span>obvious <\/span>weak signal. Its <\/span>many <\/span>highly <\/span>electrified <\/span>jocks, hard hitting news, over the top<\/span> <\/span>ads<\/span> <\/span>and <\/span>crazy <\/span>features <\/span>that <\/span>includ<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>multiple <\/span>episodes of Dick Orkin (1933-2017) as<\/span> \u201c<\/span>Chickenman<\/span>\u201d<\/span> a<\/span>long with <\/span>its ability to play <\/span>records<\/span> <\/span>at 47 <\/span>not 45 <\/span>rpms g<\/span>ave <\/span>that <\/span>AM outlet <\/span>a decided <\/span>edge <\/span>over <\/span>its chief <\/span>competitors such as <\/span>WKYC<\/span>. [footnote]Interview Mike Olszewski.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Such things as t<\/span>he <\/span>\u201cWIXY Triple Play\u201d and the <\/span>\u201cWIXY Six Pack<\/span>\u201d<\/span> <\/span>distinguished <\/span>it<\/span> <\/span>even <\/span>further. <\/span>These <\/span>re<\/span>gular <\/span>s<\/span>ong<\/span> <\/span>rot<\/span>ation<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>with<\/span>out <\/span>commercial <\/span>interruption <\/span>we<\/span>re <\/span>used by <\/span>WIXY <\/span>managers <\/span>to <\/span>their <\/span>full <\/span>advantage. Don\u2019t worry <\/span>they <\/span>made up <\/span>for <\/span>any <\/span>lost <\/span>advertising <\/span>time<\/span> by broadcasting a <\/span>series <\/span>of ads <\/span>back to back<\/span> <\/span>with loud <\/span>jingles and plent<\/span>y<\/span> of community<\/span>-based<\/span> <\/span>announcements<\/span>. <\/span>Top <\/span>ratings <\/span>quickly translated into high <\/span>profits <\/span>for <\/span>1260 on the AM dial<\/span>. It<\/span>s rapid success<\/span> force<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>some of <\/span>its <\/span>chief <\/span>competi<\/span>tors <\/span>including <\/span>WHK and W<\/span>JW <\/span>to <\/span>retreat to <\/span>the <\/span>safer <\/span>ground <\/span>called the <\/span>new <\/span>\u201ccontemporary\u201d <\/span>sound<\/span>. <\/span>In <\/span>adopting those newer, <\/span>blander<\/span> <\/span>programming <\/span>formats<\/span> <\/span>local broadcasters <\/span>like WHK and WJW <\/span>were <\/span>essen<\/span>tially <\/span>giving up the <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>fight to <\/span>WIXY <\/span>whether they <\/span>admitted <\/span>publicly <\/span>or not<\/span>. <\/span>Th<\/span>e<\/span> sudden <\/span>ground<\/span>swell in <\/span>new FM listeners only added to the <\/span>financial <\/span>wo<\/span>es<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nIn spite of the growing cynicism <\/span>in the late \u201860s <\/span>over the long-term <\/span>value of <\/span>Top 40<\/span> broadcasting<\/span>, that <\/span>overwhelmingly <\/span>favored <\/span>radio <\/span>format was <\/span>anything but <\/span>dying<\/span>. Inst<\/span>ead, it <\/span>was <\/span>changing over <\/span>time<\/span>. <\/span>You <\/span>had only to look at <\/span>the <\/span>recent <\/span>success <\/span>enjoyed <\/span>by <\/span>locally-based <\/span>outlets such as <\/span>W<\/span>ERE-FM<\/span> <\/span>to <\/span>see what was <\/span>exactly <\/span>unfolding <\/span>with<\/span>in the <\/span>exciting <\/span>Cleveland <\/span>market<\/span>. <\/span>N<\/span>ow <\/span>called <\/span>G<\/span>-98<\/span>, <\/span>the former WERE-FM <\/span>suddenly <\/span>roared <\/span>to life<\/span> in a way it had never done<\/span> recently<\/span>. <\/span>At its core, WGCL\u2019s <\/span>all-<\/span>new <\/span>\u201c<\/span>hits<\/span> radio<\/span>\u201d<\/span> <\/span>format <\/span>was<\/span> <\/span>a <\/span>refurbished<\/span>, slightly <\/span>more sophisticated <\/span>version of <\/span>traditional <\/span>Top 40 radio<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>G<\/span>-98 <\/span>enjoyed <\/span>a <\/span>much <\/span>clearer<\/span> <\/span>signal <\/span>when <\/span>measured <\/span>against<\/span> <\/span>most of <\/span>its <\/span>AM <\/span>competitors<\/span> which enabled <\/span>it <\/span>to<\/span> <\/span>broadcast <\/span>with much greater clarity <\/span>the same kind of <\/span>energized <\/span>programming previously <\/span>reserved for <\/span>only <\/span>the <\/span>AM<\/span> side of the dial<\/span>. <\/span>It<\/span>s immediate success set the stage for a number <\/span>of <\/span>equally popular, <\/span>static-free <\/span>Top 40<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>FMs <\/span>throughout the Midwest<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAnother facet of FM <\/span>radio to <\/span>gain<\/span> a substantial <\/span>new <\/span>loyal <\/span>following <\/span>was <\/span>called<\/span> <\/span>\u201cbeautiful\u201d or <\/span>\u201c<\/span>e<\/span>asy listening<\/span>\u201d<\/span> <\/span>music.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>It <\/span>serve<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>more discerning <\/span>listen<\/span>ers <\/span>who <\/span>demanded <\/span>a <\/span>quieter, <\/span>softer<\/span> <\/span>sound<\/span>. <\/span>Who can <\/span>ever <\/span>forget the mellow <\/span>tones of <\/span>the L<\/span>a<\/span>rry Gold orchestra or the <\/span>Holly R<\/span>idge<\/span> <\/span>Strings?<\/span> <\/span>One of the <\/span>early <\/span>leaders <\/span>was <\/span>Boston<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>WJIB<\/span> <\/span>FM-97<\/span>. It <\/span>literally <\/span>came out of nowhere to become that city\u2019s number one FM s<\/span>tation <\/span>by the late \u201860s<\/span>. <\/span>People love to listen to <\/span>\u2018JIB in <\/span>their cars and homes. <\/span>It <\/span>also <\/span>served as <\/span>background music in <\/span>many <\/span>hotels<\/span>,<\/span> office buildings and <\/span>retailers<\/span>. <\/span>Two other <\/span>pacesetter<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>in Cleveland<\/span> were <\/span>WDOK<\/span>-FM<\/span> <\/span>hosted by two <\/span>favorites<\/span> <\/span>Wayne Mack <\/span>(1911-2000) <\/span>and Tom Armstrong<\/span> (d. 1985)<\/span> and WQAL<\/span>-FM<\/span> <\/span>featuring <\/span>Frank McHale and <\/span>Tall <\/span>Ted Hal<\/span>l<\/span>aman<\/span> (1927-2010).<\/span> <\/span>Whatever the <\/span>programming <\/span>choice<\/span> might <\/span>have <\/span>be<\/span>en<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>the <\/span>crisp <\/span>new <\/span>FM <\/span>sound <\/span>won <\/span>hands down <\/span>over <\/span>its <\/span>less clear <\/span>AM rivals<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nHow <\/span>could <\/span>Cleveland\u2019s <\/span>11<\/span>00 AM <\/span>possibly <\/span>competed<\/span> <\/span>against <\/span>the likes of <\/span>successful <\/span>local <\/span>FM<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>whose <\/span>radio <\/span>signal<\/span>s<\/span> w<\/span>ere<\/span> <\/span>complete<\/span>ly <\/span>static<\/span> free<\/span>?<\/span> <\/span>Like so many <\/span>other <\/span>large <\/span>businesses, r<\/span>adio <\/span>stations we<\/span>re<\/span> <\/span>definitely <\/span>creatures of habit. <\/span>The fact that <\/span>WIXY<\/span>-1260<\/span> had <\/span>surged ahead in <\/span>the <\/span>local <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>radio <\/span>market <\/span>by <\/span>February 19<\/span>69 <\/span>did not <\/span>mean <\/span>that <\/span>it <\/span>totall<\/span>y <\/span>control<\/span>led<\/span> the younger listen<\/span>ing audience<\/span> in Cleveland<\/span>. <\/span>WKYC <\/span>still had a chance <\/span>to find its niche <\/span>in the regional radio market <\/span>and that <\/span>wa<\/span>s where <\/span>Specs Howard <\/span>entered the picture<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>He <\/span>convinced <\/span>the WKYC <\/span>higher ups <\/span>to <\/span>embrace <\/span>a <\/span>more <\/span>upbeat sound<\/span> <\/span>he <\/span>called \u201cPower Radio<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d<\/span> <\/span>This new <\/span>\u201cPower Radio\u201d <\/span>format <\/span>was <\/span>intended <\/span>for <\/span>young professionals <\/span>between the ages of <\/span>25<\/span> <\/span>and <\/span>34. <\/span>Much of the problem <\/span>facing WKYC<\/span>-Radio<\/span> <\/span>stemmed from a <\/span>disinclination o<\/span>n the part of <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> <\/span>to <\/span>regularly introduce <\/span>new<\/span>er, more e<\/span>nlightened <\/span>program <\/span>s<\/span>trategies<\/span> <\/span>into their daily <\/span>lineup.<\/span> As I\u2019m sure you <\/span>have <\/span>guessed by now, NBC might have talked the talk, but <\/span>in the end<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>it <\/span>rarely <\/span>walk<\/span>ed<\/span> the walk.<\/span>\r\n\r\nHad <\/span>that network <\/span>been <\/span>a<\/span>n early<\/span>, nationally-recognized<\/span> leader<\/span> in<\/span> <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>then <\/span>WKYC<\/span>-R<\/span>adio<\/span> <\/span>might have <\/span>stood <\/span>a <\/span>reasonable <\/span>chance <\/span>of succe<\/span>eding over the long-run<\/span>. <\/span>Let<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s face <\/span>it<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>1100 AM <\/span>was<\/span>n\u2019t <\/span>really <\/span>a big hit with <\/span>late \u201860s radio listeners<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Much of th<\/span>e<\/span> fault <\/span>rested with <\/span>WKYC\u2019s <\/span>lackluster <\/span>manage<\/span>ment team<\/span>. <\/span>Many of <\/span>them <\/span>outsiders<\/span>,<\/span> with little <\/span>understanding<\/span> <\/span>as to how successful <\/span>local <\/span>radio <\/span>operated<\/span>, suddenly discovered <\/span>much to their dis<\/span>pleasure <\/span>that <\/span>they <\/span>could not <\/span>begin to <\/span>compete <\/span>against<\/span> likes of <\/span>other, <\/span>locally<\/span>-<\/span>oriented broadcasters<\/span>. Time <\/span>was<\/span> running out <\/span>fast <\/span>as th<\/span>e <\/span>dominance of <\/span>AM radio<\/span> <\/span>was <\/span>rapid<\/span>ly <\/span>be<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>upended <\/span>by <\/span>upstart <\/span>FM<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>tations<\/span>. New blood<\/span> <\/span>might have <\/span>been able <\/span>to save <\/span>th<\/span>at<\/span> <\/span>50,000 watt <\/span>giant<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>but <\/span>the <\/span>chances <\/span>of doing that <\/span>successfully <\/span>seeming <\/span>more and <\/span>less<\/span> <\/span>likely<\/span> as the clock <\/span>continued to <\/span>tick<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nSuddenly out of nowhere <\/span>a <\/span>John Adams High <\/span>School <\/span>grad <\/span>named <\/span>Nick Mileti (b. 1931) <\/span>a<\/span>nd <\/span>a real go-getter entrepreneur <\/span>known as <\/span>Tom Embrescia <\/span>(b. 1946)<\/span> entered the <\/span>local radio <\/span>scene<\/span>. <\/span>Over the past <\/span>fifty years<\/span>, <\/span>Tom <\/span>Embrescia<\/span> <\/span>has forged quite a <\/span>financial empire <\/span>that <\/span>included o<\/span>ver <\/span>fifty stations and a host of other <\/span>equally <\/span>p<\/span>rofitable <\/span>endeavor<\/span>s. One of their <\/span>earl<\/span>iest joint business <\/span>ventures <\/span>in 1972 <\/span>resulted in them purchasing <\/span>WKYC<\/span>-<\/span>radio <\/span>from <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> <\/span>for <\/span>$5.<\/span>5<\/span> <\/span>million<\/span>.[footnote]\u201cFirst NBC Radio Properties Go,\u201d Broadcasting<\/em>, January 30, 1972.[\/footnote]<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The<\/span>ir<\/span> first order of business <\/span>as <\/span>the station\u2019s <\/span>newest <\/span>owner<\/span>s<\/span> involved <\/span>chang<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>its <\/span>call letters <\/span>from WKYC AM and FM <\/span>to WWWE-AM <\/span>(3WE) <\/span>and WWWM-FM<\/span> (105M)<\/span>. <\/span>It was<\/span> un<\/span>clear<\/span> <\/span>at the time <\/span>as to <\/span>whether t<\/span>he \u201cE\u201d in the AM call letters st<\/span>ood <\/span>for entertainment <\/span>or<\/span> Embrescia <\/span>or <\/span>the <\/span>\u201c<\/span>M<\/span>\u201d<\/span> <\/span>for <\/span>Music or Mileti.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>However, in the public\u2019s mind <\/span>that <\/span>really didn\u2019t matter.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>What did matter <\/span>to <\/span>them <\/span>was th<\/span>e fact th<\/span>at <\/span>105<\/span>.7 <\/span>FM <\/span>with its <\/span>rev<\/span>amped <\/span>classic <\/span>rock <\/span>format <\/span>posed a <\/span>direct <\/span>challeng<\/span>e<\/span> to <\/span>WMMS<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>M<\/span>ajor <\/span>programming <\/span>change<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>also greatly changed the <\/span>direction and <\/span>scope of <\/span>possibilities <\/span>for <\/span>1100 <\/span>AM<\/span>. <\/span>Nick <\/span>Mileti<\/span>\u2019s close <\/span>ties <\/span>with <\/span>several of <\/span>Cleveland\u2019s professional <\/span>sports<\/span> teams<\/span> <\/span>prompted <\/span>that <\/span>critical <\/span>change<\/span> in its AM programming<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>He believed that <\/span>his <\/span>new <\/span>50,000 watts radio <\/span>station<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>w<\/span>ith <\/span>a capability of <\/span>reach<\/span>ing<\/span> 38 states <\/span>and much of Canada <\/span>a<\/span>fter <\/span>sundown<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>could <\/span>eventually <\/span>become <\/span>a <\/span>regional<\/span> <\/span>sports <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>leader<\/span> much in the same vein as New York radio\u2019s WFAN<\/span>. <\/span>As p<\/span>art <\/span>owner of the Cleveland Indians and C<\/span>leveland C<\/span>avaliers<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>Mileti <\/span>insisted that <\/span>all <\/span>life <\/span>broadcasts <\/span>of both <\/span>professional <\/span>teams <\/span>be <\/span>carried <\/span>on <\/span>his <\/span>new <\/span>flagship station<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nAs you might have already figured out<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>the debut of <\/span>3WE<\/span> radio<\/span> <\/span>marked the <\/span>end <\/span>of <\/span>1100 AM\u2019s <\/span>sixteen <\/span>year reign <\/span>as <\/span>one of <\/span>Cleveland\u2019s <\/span>leading <\/span>rock and roll <\/span>station<\/span>. <\/span>I<\/span>t <\/span>had <\/span>successfully <\/span>survived <\/span>messy <\/span>lawsuits <\/span>and <\/span>questionable<\/span> <\/span>busin<\/span>ess <\/span>deals <\/span>only to succumb to <\/span>previously <\/span>unimagined <\/span>cultural and social c<\/span>hang<\/span>es <\/span>that affected <\/span>radio <\/span>audience<\/span>s <\/span>everywhere<\/span>. <\/span>S<\/span>uch unheralded <\/span>developments <\/span>abruptly <\/span>a<\/span>ltered the radio <\/span>listening habits <\/span>of <\/span>most <\/span>Clevelanders <\/span>in ways that more traditional broadcasters such as NBC<\/span> could <\/span>not<\/span> comprehend. The reluctance of the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>Broadcasting<\/span> <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> <\/span>to <\/span>spend the money necessary to <\/span>keep up with the times doomed WKY<\/span>C-Radio 11. By the early 1970s, i<\/span>t <\/span>was <\/span>obvious <\/span>to leaders in the commercial radio <\/span>industry<\/span> <\/span>that <\/span>NBC <\/span>no longer <\/span>want<\/span>ed<\/span> to <\/span>own and <\/span>o<\/span>perate a <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>radio <\/span>outlet <\/span>in Cleveland<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Unquestionably, <\/span>WKYC<\/span>-Radio<\/span> had not <\/span>produced <\/span>the <\/span>kind of <\/span>consistently <\/span>high <\/span>profit<\/span>s that <\/span>NBC had <\/span>been <\/span>use to <\/span>receiv<\/span>ing <\/span>from <\/span>its <\/span>WRCV<\/span>-Philadelphia<\/span> station<\/span>. <\/span>WKYC <\/span>was <\/span>a<\/span>s<\/span> much <\/span>a <\/span>victim <\/span>of <\/span>the times<\/span> as <\/span>much as <\/span>anything else<\/span>. <\/span>But, for many Clevelanders <\/span>the <\/span>abrupt end <\/span>of WKYC <\/span>as a Top 40 <\/span>rock and roll <\/span>station <\/span>me<\/span>a<\/span>nt much more than <\/span>an <\/span>NBC<\/span> <\/span>tax write off<\/span>. <\/span>For many <\/span>of its most enthusiastic <\/span>listeners <\/span>t<\/span>h<\/span>e<\/span> <\/span>moment when<\/span> <\/span>3WE <\/span>sports <\/span>radio <\/span>went <\/span>on the air <\/span>was <\/span>indeed <\/span>\u201c<\/span>th<\/span>e day <\/span>the <\/span>music <\/span>died.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>","rendered":"

Change is <\/span>rarely <\/span>easy <\/span>a<\/span>nd <\/span>especially <\/span>when <\/span>it <\/span>touch<\/span>es<\/span> your daily <\/span>li<\/span>fe<\/span>. The bottom line was <\/span>that<\/span> <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>many <\/span>f<\/span>an<\/span>s <\/span>did not want their <\/span>favorite <\/span>radio <\/span>station to <\/span>leave Cleveland<\/span>. <\/span>The KY \u201cSound 11 Survey\u201d a<\/span>long with <\/span>its <\/span>familiar <\/span>voices had been <\/span>important<\/span> part of their lives for <\/span>nearly <\/span>a decade<\/span>. <\/span>Its <\/span>many <\/span>listeners <\/span>woke up with it on <\/span>their <\/span>clock radio<\/span>s<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>listen to it all-day <\/span>and <\/span>then <\/span>fell asleep <\/span>with <\/span>it at night. <\/span>U<\/span>nfortunately<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>its <\/span>days were <\/span>numbered<\/span>. <\/span>That was too bad. <\/span>It <\/span>provided <\/span>Cleveland with <\/span>the <\/span>very <\/span>best in <\/span>music, news, talk<\/span> and sports.<\/span> <\/span>KYW<\/span>-AM<\/span> used its 50,000 watts <\/span>advantage <\/span>to its fullest <\/span>extent <\/span>by <\/span>g<\/span>iving <\/span>its<\/span> <\/span>listening <\/span>audience what it <\/span>wante<\/span>d <\/span>the <\/span>purest<\/span> <\/span>enjoyment. To <\/span>its <\/span>credit, <\/span>it<\/span> <\/span>rarely <\/span>miss<\/span>ed<\/span> a beat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Its staff <\/span>throughout <\/span>the <\/span>spring of<\/span> \u201965 <\/span>continued to do <\/span>it<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>very <\/span>best <\/span>even <\/span>though <\/span>the <\/span>hand<\/span>writing <\/span>was <\/span>on the wall. W<\/span>ith <\/span>a <\/span>well-earned <\/span>reputation <\/span>for program excellence<\/span>, i<\/span>ts <\/span>many <\/span>shrewd <\/span>programmers <\/span>fulfill<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>their <\/span>daily <\/span>tasks <\/span>with <\/span>both <\/span>grace and <\/span>style. <\/span>F<\/span>ew <\/span>knew <\/span>what NB<\/span>C <\/span>might have <\/span>in store<\/span>. However, <\/span>th<\/span>ey <\/span>sensed t<\/span>hat nothing <\/span>would be <\/span>exactly <\/span>the same<\/span> once <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany <\/span>took over<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Yet, <\/span>industry-wide <\/span>profits continued to soar <\/span>that year <\/span>top<\/span>ping<\/span> <\/span>$636<\/span> <\/span>million<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Powerhouse <\/span>AM<\/span> outlet<\/span>s<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>like KYW<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>enjoyed <\/span>exceptionally <\/span>high <\/span>revenues<\/span> <\/span>in those <\/span>days<\/span>. <\/span>In the case of KY-11, its growing <\/span>wealth was<\/span> <\/span>closely <\/span>connected <\/span>to <\/span>its <\/span>uncanny <\/span>knack <\/span>of <\/span>sell<\/span>ing tremendous <\/span>amount<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>of <\/span>spot <\/span>advertis<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>day<\/span> in and day out<\/span>. It took a team of highly dedicated individuals ranging from KYW DJs, managers, and programmers to clerks, receptionists and the cleaning staff to achieve that impressive goal.<\/span><\/p>\n

T<\/span>he<\/span> positive publicity they generated month after month <\/span>regardless of <\/span>the <\/span>ratings <\/span>proved <\/span>suff<\/span>icient<\/span> enough <\/span>for <\/span>eager advertisers who <\/span>were interested <\/span>in se<\/span>l<\/span>ling as many <\/span>items <\/span>and services as <\/span>they could <\/span>as <\/span>quickly<\/span> as possible<\/span> through <\/span>this <\/span>popular station<\/span>. <\/span>Most <\/span>of their <\/span>advertisers rarely read <\/span>between the<\/span> lines<\/span>. <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>sales <\/span>approach <\/span>went <\/span>far <\/span>beyond <\/span>the clever man<\/span>euvering of <\/span>aggressive <\/span>business agents <\/span>and <\/span>cunning <\/span>promoters<\/span>. <\/span>The resp<\/span>onsibility <\/span>for prompting <\/span>high <\/span>sales volume<\/span> <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>rested in the skillful hands of <\/span>fast-talking <\/span>jocks<\/span>, <\/span>music <\/span>librarian<\/span>s<\/span> and <\/span>program<\/span> coordinators<\/span>. Working <\/span>collectively,<\/span> <\/span>they <\/span>brought to life <\/span>the <\/span>many <\/span>c<\/span>lever <\/span>ads <\/span>that were <\/span>broadcasted <\/span>dai<\/span>ly<\/span> on KYW-Radio<\/span>. <\/span>Th<\/span>at <\/span>highly <\/span>polished<\/span>, <\/span>well-seasoned<\/span> <\/span>business strategy <\/span>was aimed at <\/span>sustain<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>a <\/span>loyal <\/span>listen<\/span>ing <\/span>audience <\/span>that<\/span> dutifully purchased the <\/span>many <\/span>products<\/span> <\/span>they <\/span>advertised<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>KY-11\u2019s <\/span>managers <\/span>could depend on the<\/span>ir fans <\/span>tun<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>in as long as <\/span>th<\/span>eir <\/span>station <\/span>was <\/span>fun<\/span>. <\/span>Local r<\/span>atings <\/span>may <\/span>go up and down<\/span>,<\/span> and the public <\/span>might <\/span>be fickle<\/span> at times<\/span>, but<\/span> one thing held true. A<\/span>dvertisers knew <\/span>full <\/span>well <\/span>who <\/span>the<\/span>ir <\/span>customer<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>were an<\/span>d they <\/span>catered <\/span>to <\/span>them<\/span> <\/span>directly <\/span>through <\/span>local <\/span>radio <\/span>outlets that welcomed them<\/span> into their studios<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ratings were <\/span>similar <\/span>in many ways <\/span>to <\/span>report card<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>in that <\/span>program<\/span> developers frequ<\/span>ently <\/span>measured <\/span>a <\/span>show\u2019<\/span>s <\/span>success or failure <\/span>b<\/span>ased on <\/span>that <\/span>station\u2019s <\/span>present <\/span>s<\/span>tanding<\/span>. Low ratings <\/span>compelled <\/span>many <\/span>program<\/span>mers <\/span>to <\/span>routinely <\/span>cancel or <\/span>change <\/span>show<\/span>s<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Those <\/span>that relied on <\/span>their hunches <\/span>generally <\/span>won out<\/span> in the ratings <\/span>war<\/span>. <\/span>In fact, <\/span>KYW<\/span>-Radio<\/span> had <\/span>its <\/span>program <\/span>evaluation <\/span>process <\/span>down to a<\/span> <\/span>fine <\/span>science<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Here\u2019s <\/span>how it worked<\/span> on the news and <\/span>information side<\/span>. While <\/span>KYW-Radio <\/span>continuall<\/span>y <\/span>reminded its listeners of <\/span>its <\/span>highly <\/span>reliab<\/span>le <\/span>newscasts <\/span>led by <\/span>ace <\/span>reporters <\/span>such as <\/span>Tom Carson<\/span>, Ken Courtwright<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>Paul Sciria<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>its <\/span>programmers<\/span> <\/span>periodically <\/span>stir<\/span>red<\/span> things <\/span>up <\/span>by injecting <\/span>thought-provoking <\/span>news <\/span>related <\/span>spots.<\/span>[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>One <\/span>of those <\/span>thirty to ninety second <\/span>responses <\/span>called \u201cCleveland Wants to Know\u201d <\/span>gain<\/span>ed a<\/span> great <\/span>f<\/span>ollowing.<\/span> Q&A <\/span>columns<\/span> <\/span>found <\/span>in <\/span>both <\/span>the Cleveland newspapers<\/span> served as its basis<\/span>. <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Cleveland<\/span> Wants to Know\u201d <\/span>respon<\/span>d<\/span>e<\/span>d<\/span> to <\/span>important <\/span>questions<\/span> <\/span>asked by <\/span>their <\/span>very <\/span>attentive <\/span>listeners<\/span>. E<\/span>xperts <\/span>in <\/span>many <\/span>fields<\/span> <\/span>lent <\/span>their <\/span>expertise.<\/span>[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You <\/span>had to have <\/span>creative people both on and off the air <\/span>if <\/span>you <\/span>want<\/span>ed <\/span>to remain number one<\/span> in the Cleveland radio market<\/span>. <\/span>Harry Martin was exactly what<\/span> <\/span>KYW-Radio <\/span>n<\/span>eeded <\/span>to bolster its <\/span>morning <\/span>ratings <\/span>in the <\/span>early <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s<\/span>. <\/span>H<\/span>is <\/span>daily comedy bit<\/span> called \u201c<\/span>Congo Curt<\/span>\u201d<\/span> featur<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>a well-<\/span>intended<\/span>,<\/span> but <\/span>highly <\/span>inept jungle explorer. <\/span>His <\/span>misadventures <\/span>appealed to <\/span>almost <\/span>everyone<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>Being able to make people laugh <\/span>a<\/span>t a drop of a hat <\/span>was no<\/span> easy t<\/span>ask<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Each segment of \u201cCongo Curt\u201d required a great deal <\/span>of <\/span>production<\/span> time<\/span> upfront<\/span>. <\/span>Yet, he did it successfully over and over again.<\/span> <\/span>WBC<\/span> <\/span>had <\/span>made a <\/span>major <\/span>commitment to <\/span>Clevelanders to <\/span>provide<\/span> them <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>finest <\/span>in entertainment, news and <\/span>talk<\/span>,<\/span> and Harry Martin<\/span>\u2019s<\/span> <\/span>off-beat <\/span>comedy <\/span>was <\/span>a crucial <\/span>part of <\/span>fulfilling <\/span>it<\/span>. <\/span>However, that <\/span>pledge <\/span>by <\/span>the <\/span>Westinghouse<\/span> Broadcasting<\/span> <\/span>Company <\/span>extended <\/span>far <\/span>beyond <\/span>Martin\u2019s <\/span>daily<\/span> <\/span>pranks<\/span>. K<\/span>eep in mind that <\/span>the <\/span>mid-<\/span>19<\/span>60s <\/span>symbolized <\/span>a <\/span>time <\/span>of so<\/span>cial <\/span>upheaval<\/span> <\/span>when <\/span>major issues, such as <\/span>civil rights<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>w<\/span>ere<\/span> <\/span>heating up<\/span>. Surprisingly<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>some <\/span>powerhouse <\/span>AM <\/span>radio <\/span>stations <\/span>such as <\/span>KYW successfully <\/span>bridge<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>th<\/span>at growing <\/span>racial gap<\/span> <\/span>by <\/span>periodically presenting one-of-a-kind programs that <\/span>crossed <\/span>th<\/span>at<\/span> color line<\/span>. One example of that growing commitment came through loud and clear in February 1965. Following the untimely death of one of America\u2019s smoothest African American male vocalists Nat King Cole (1919-1965), that outlet paid tribute to that icon by broadcasting a special show at 9:30 p.m. on February 17<\/span>th<\/span><\/span>. Jim Runyon narrated it. That same night it also broadcasted a program on the Second World War.[4]<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout th<\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>period<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>it<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>extraordinary s<\/span>taff <\/span>received its fair share <\/span>of attention<\/span> from <\/span>local <\/span>media<\/span> circles<\/span>. <\/span>For example, <\/span>one of its foremost <\/span>n<\/span>ewscaster<\/span>s<\/span> Ken Courtwright signed <\/span>yet <\/span>a<\/span>nother <\/span>lucrative <\/span>contract <\/span>in 1964 <\/span>while <\/span>Jerry G joined Jay Lawrence <\/span>in <\/span>a number of <\/span>well <\/span>publicized <\/span>appearances<\/span> <\/span>includ<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>Halle Brother\u2019s <\/span>\u201cGo-Go-Go Fashion Show\u201d sponsored <\/span>by<\/span> <\/span><\/span>Seventeen<\/span><\/span><\/em> magazine<\/span> on March 13<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span>.[5]<\/sup><\/a> <\/span>Downtown was <\/span>still <\/span>number one <\/span>in retailing <\/span>and <\/span>large<\/span> <\/span>department stores <\/span>con<\/span>tinued to<\/span> <\/span>spent lots <\/span>of <\/span>money <\/span>on <\/span>all kinds of <\/span>special <\/span>advertising<\/span> that included <\/span>among other things <\/span>fashion shows<\/span>. <\/span>Besides<\/span>, <\/span>adding <\/span>favorite <\/span>local <\/span>radio personalities <\/span>to those shows <\/span>provided <\/span>some <\/span>glamour<\/span>. L<\/span>ike so<\/span> many other successful <\/span>retailers<\/span> of that <\/span>same <\/span>decade<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>Halle Brothers <\/span>gladly <\/span>welcomed <\/span>large <\/span>crowds <\/span>of shoppers<\/span>. <\/span>On the flip side, <\/span>station officials <\/span>enjoy<\/span>ed <\/span>the <\/span>tons of <\/span>positive <\/span>publicity and increased <\/span>revenue <\/span>they <\/span>derived <\/span>from <\/span>sponsoring <\/span>those <\/span>personal <\/span>appearances<\/span>. <\/span>Although m<\/span>any <\/span>competitors <\/span>appreciated the <\/span>full-<\/span>court press <\/span>be<\/span>ing employed <\/span>by <\/span>KYW<\/span> to pr<\/span>om<\/span>ote <\/span>its many <\/span>spectacular <\/span>events<\/span>,<\/span> other factors such as <\/span>escalating <\/span>overhead costs<\/span> and <\/span>smaller <\/span>listening<\/span> <\/span>audience<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>limit<\/span>ed the<\/span>ir ability <\/span>to <\/span>compete in that way<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In spite of <\/span>all the fanfare<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>radio <\/span>newscasts <\/span>still r<\/span>anked <\/span>second <\/span>in the minds of <\/span>most <\/span>listen<\/span>ers<\/span>. <\/span>They <\/span>still <\/span>reli<\/span>ed <\/span>primarily <\/span>on <\/span><\/span>t<\/span>he Cleveland Plain Dealer<\/em><\/span><\/span>, the<\/span><\/span> Cleveland Press<\/span><\/span><\/em> and <\/span><\/span>the Akron Beacon Journal<\/em><\/span><\/span> for the<\/span> bulk of the<\/span>ir news and sports<\/span>. <\/span>As everyone knew, f<\/span>ederal regulations mandated that <\/span>all <\/span>radio <\/span>stations <\/span>broadcast <\/span>news on the hour<\/span>. Some like <\/span>KYW<\/span>-Cleveland <\/span>took <\/span>i<\/span>t <\/span>a step <\/span>further<\/span> <\/span>by <\/span>providing <\/span>news<\/span>casts <\/span>on the half hour<\/span> and when<\/span>ever breaking news<\/span> <\/span>unfold<\/span>ed.<\/span> <\/span>I<\/span>t<\/span>s <\/span>daily <\/span>talk shows also furnished <\/span>important <\/span>news and <\/span>information<\/span> to<\/span> their many<\/span> <\/span>follower<\/span>s<\/span>. <\/span>Speaking of<\/span> talk shows, <\/span>few <\/span>were s<\/span>urpris<\/span>e<\/span>d<\/span> when <\/span>Harve<\/span> Morgan received the <\/span>much <\/span>covet<\/span>ed Ralph H. <\/span>Besse<\/span> award for his outstanding <\/span>performance <\/span>as <\/span>Cleveland\u2019s <\/span>premier <\/span>nighttime talk<\/span> show<\/span> <\/span>host<\/span>.[6]<\/sup><\/a> <\/span>Eleven hundred AM <\/span>had no trouble <\/span>whatsoever in <\/span>sell<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>numerous <\/span>hours <\/span>o<\/span>f <\/span>advertising <\/span>based <\/span>o<\/span>n<\/span> its <\/span>numerous <\/span>top quality <\/span>newscasts and <\/span>daily <\/span>talk show<\/span>s<\/span>. <\/span>Receiving <\/span>community a<\/span>wards<\/span> <\/span>gave <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>savvy<\/span> <\/span>sales team <\/span>the kind of <\/span>ammunition<\/span> <\/span>it <\/span>needed <\/span>to sell even more <\/span>spot <\/span>advertis<\/span>ing<\/span> time<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We must not forget that fierce comp<\/span>etition <\/span>fueled <\/span>in <\/span>many <\/span>cases <\/span>by <\/span>over<\/span>ly <\/span>enthusiastic <\/span>station managers <\/span>also played a cr<\/span>ucial <\/span>part <\/span>in <\/span>determine<\/span> <\/span>the <\/span>winner and losers in the <\/span>local <\/span>ratings war<\/span>. <\/span>The reality was that b<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>represented <\/span>a <\/span>very <\/span>mixed up world where one <\/span>station <\/span>might have high ratings one month only to be <\/span>toppled by <\/span>an<\/span> upstart <\/span>the next. Case in point <\/span>was <\/span>the continual <\/span>battle <\/span>for <\/span>Cleveland\u2019s <\/span>top <\/span>radio <\/span>spot that was <\/span>being <\/span>waged <\/span>b<\/span>y <\/span>KYW and WHK <\/span>in<\/span> <\/span>the early <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s<\/span>. The fact that <\/span>W<\/span>HK<\/span> <\/span>was Ohio\u2019s oldest commercial broadcaster and a leader in Cleveland radio for <\/span>more than <\/span>four decades <\/span>did not <\/span>prevent <\/span>its chief <\/span>nemes<\/span>i<\/span>s <\/span>KYW <\/span>Program Director Ken Draper <\/span>f<\/span>rom bragging <\/span>that <\/span>his outlet <\/span>wa<\/span>s <\/span>number one in <\/span>the <\/span>April <\/span>\u201965<\/span> ratings<\/span>. <\/span>In the case of <\/span>Metromedia<\/span>–<\/span>owned W<\/span>HK<\/span>, <\/span>its <\/span>5,000 watts <\/span>could not <\/span>match the <\/span>range <\/span>or <\/span>sound quality <\/span>of <\/span>KYW<\/span>–<\/span>Cleveland<\/span>. <\/span>Fourteen-twenty AM <\/span>did <\/span>indeed offer <\/span>some <\/span>first rate <\/span>program<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>even <\/span>though <\/span>its<\/span> new <\/span>\u201ccontemporary music\u201d format<\/span> was not <\/span>particularly <\/span>a big hit<\/span> with local<\/span>ly-based<\/span> audiences<\/span>.[7]<\/sup><\/a> <\/span>Similar in <\/span>program <\/span>style <\/span>to its <\/span>New York <\/span>flagship station<\/span> WNEW<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>WH<\/span>K<\/span>-Radio<\/span> <\/span>lacked the<\/span> <\/span>enormous <\/span>listen<\/span>ing audience <\/span>to draw upon<\/span> when matched against WNEW-AM<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In terms of the DJs themselves<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>AM <\/span>radio has always been a great <\/span>place <\/span>for nomad<\/span>ic <\/span>broadcasters<\/span>. <\/span>As we mentioned earlier, <\/span>t<\/span>ho<\/span>se wanderers <\/span>were <\/span>n<\/span>ever <\/span>guaranteed<\/span> <\/span>job <\/span>security which meant that <\/span>the slightest <\/span>infraction <\/span>on their part <\/span>might <\/span>send <\/span>them <\/span>packing. Jim Stagg found that out the hard way. [8]<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>A<\/span>pparently<\/span>, <\/span>KYW <\/span>managers <\/span>had <\/span>discovered <\/span>that he had signed <\/span>his<\/span> name <\/span>to <\/span>a bar license in Lorain, OH and <\/span>that <\/span>some state <\/span>liquor agents<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>in a <\/span>recent <\/span>raid, had <\/span>caught underage <\/span>customers <\/span>drink<\/span>ing there<\/span>.[9]<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The last <\/span>thing <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse officials <\/span>want<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>to deal with <\/span>during th<\/span>is <\/span>swap <\/span>was <\/span>a <\/span>lengthy <\/span>legal <\/span>battle <\/span>involving <\/span>one of <\/span>their <\/span>popular <\/span>radio personalities<\/span>. <\/span>It <\/span>proved to be <\/span>the deciding factor <\/span>that <\/span>prompted <\/span>Stagg\u2019s <\/span>suddenly <\/span>dismissal<\/span>. H<\/span>aving been dragged <\/span>through-the-<\/span>mill<\/span> by <\/span>unsympathetic <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse managers<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>you <\/span>might <\/span>think <\/span>that <\/span>h<\/span>is best option was to <\/span>le<\/span>ave<\/span> quietly. <\/span>But,<\/span> that was not <\/span>Jim Stagg\u2019s <\/span>style<\/span>. <\/span>Hi<\/span>s lawyer<\/span> <\/span>argued <\/span>that <\/span>he <\/span>was not <\/span>involved <\/span>in <\/span>the tavern\u2019s <\/span>daily <\/span>operations and <\/span>that he had <\/span>transferred the license to <\/span>his <\/span>relatives <\/span>quite <\/span>a <\/span>while ago<\/span>.[10]<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Whatever <\/span>might have been<\/span> <\/span>going on <\/span>behind the scene<\/span>, Stagg\u2019s <\/span>very <\/span>vocal <\/span>suppor<\/span>te<\/span>rs <\/span>were <\/span>extremely <\/span>un<\/span>happy<\/span> when <\/span>they <\/span>learn<\/span>ed that he had been <\/span>fired<\/span> without a <\/span>proper <\/span>hearing<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As everyone knew, <\/span>KYW management <\/span>had <\/span>always <\/span>held <\/span>its <\/span>staff <\/span>to a <\/span>very <\/span>strict code of conduct<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> <\/span>hard-nosed GM Perry <\/span>B. <\/span>Bascom<\/span> <\/span>firmly <\/span>believed in it<\/span>. <\/span>When provoked,<\/span> <\/span>Bascom <\/span>co<\/span>uld end a <\/span>promising<\/span> <\/span>career <\/span>with <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>simple <\/span>stroke of a pen. <\/span>Living <\/span>in fear of <\/span>being <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Bosomed<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d <\/span>many <\/span>KYW <\/span>jocks <\/span>considered <\/span>su<\/span>ing <\/span>the station after <\/span>having been exposed to <\/span>his<\/span> <\/span>uncontrolled <\/span>rage<\/span>. <\/span>However, suing <\/span>often proved <\/span>cost<\/span>ly <\/span>in that <\/span>word <\/span>would <\/span>g<\/span>e<\/span>t around <\/span>quick<\/span>ly <\/span>that <\/span>you<\/span> we<\/span>re <\/span>\u201cdifficult\u201d to manage. <\/span>B<\/span>randed <\/span>a troublemaker was not the reputation <\/span>you <\/span>w<\/span>a<\/span>nted <\/span>shadow<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>you<\/span> in the years ahead<\/span>. <\/span>As a radio personality y<\/span>ou <\/span>might <\/span>win <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>battle<\/span> here and there<\/span>,<\/span> but <\/span>ultimately <\/span>you would <\/span>lose the war<\/span>. Many <\/span>jocks <\/span>chose <\/span>instead <\/span>to lick their wounds and move on<\/span> <\/span>to another <\/span>radio <\/span>station <\/span>rather than fight<\/span> the establishment<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

On another <\/span>totally <\/span>unrelated <\/span>area<\/span>, s<\/span>imulcast<\/span> <\/span>radio <\/span>b<\/span>roadcast<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>increasingly <\/span>came under <\/span>scrutiny <\/span>in April <\/span>19<\/span>65<\/span> w<\/span>hen <\/span>the <\/span>FCC<\/span> <\/span>began <\/span>pressur<\/span>ing<\/span> AM stations <\/span>to broadcast <\/span>twelve <\/span>hours of <\/span>independent <\/span>programming <\/span>on their <\/span>various <\/span>FM outlets<\/span>.[11]<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Federal officials gave them <\/span>an October<\/span> <\/span>deadline <\/span>to comply <\/span>or face <\/span>the possibility of <\/span>losing <\/span>their <\/span>licenses<\/span>. <\/span>F<\/span>ed<\/span>eral official<\/span>s <\/span>believed <\/span>t<\/span>hat program <\/span>variety <\/span>was imp<\/span>ortant <\/span>as <\/span>more <\/span>and more <\/span>people <\/span>were <\/span>turn<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>to<\/span> the <\/span>FM <\/span>dial<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>In Cleveland<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>particular <\/span>case<\/span>, <\/span>both <\/span>KYW and WHK<\/span> <\/span>agreed to <\/span>compl<\/span>y <\/span>with it <\/span>while o<\/span>thers <\/span>like <\/span>WDOK, W<\/span>ERE<\/span> and <\/span>W<\/span>GAR<\/span> said they would try<\/span> to meet the <\/span>autumn <\/span>deadline<\/span>. <\/span>W<\/span>JW<\/span>-Radio<\/span>, on the other hand,<\/span> <\/span>pretty much <\/span>ignored <\/span>it.<\/span>[12]<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Recognizing the enormity of th<\/span>at<\/span> task<\/span>,<\/span> led t<\/span>he feds <\/span>to <\/span>eventually <\/span>back down<\/span>. The issue of independent <\/span>FM <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>was <\/span>pretty much <\/span>shelved <\/span>until \u2018<\/span>68 when <\/span>it <\/span>re<\/span>appeare<\/span>d<\/span>. <\/span>Trying <\/span>to <\/span>buy additional time<\/span> led <\/span>W<\/span>GAR<\/span>-Cleveland<\/span> <\/span>to <\/span>request <\/span>a<\/span>n <\/span>exemption<\/span> in the summer of \u201865<\/span>. <\/span>They <\/span>knew t<\/span>he new <\/span>NBC station<\/span> <\/span>w<\/span>ould <\/span>soon <\/span>be broadc<\/span>asting <\/span>its<\/span> <\/span>own <\/span>shows<\/span> <\/span>many<\/span> of which were<\/span> <\/span>currently<\/span> <\/span>being <\/span>carried <\/span>on<\/span> <\/span>WGAR-FM.[13]<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Its p<\/span>romoters sought <\/span>add<\/span>itional <\/span>time <\/span>in <\/span>the hope of <\/span>pick<\/span>ing<\/span> up <\/span>some <\/span>other <\/span>desirable <\/span>alternatives prior to the <\/span>October deadline<\/span>. <\/span>WGAR managers <\/span>admitted <\/span>that the<\/span>ir FM audience <\/span>enjoyed <\/span>NBC<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>\u201cWeekend Monitor\u201d <\/span>and that <\/span>it <\/span>accounted for <\/span>it<\/span>s <\/span>positive <\/span>ratings<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

KY<\/span>-11<\/span> <\/span>did <\/span>some <\/span>quick <\/span>reshuffling <\/span>of its <\/span>AM <\/span>lineup <\/span>following <\/span>Jim <\/span>Stagg<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>quick <\/span>departure<\/span>. A<\/span>t the same time, a<\/span> new program director came o<\/span>n<\/span> board<\/span> to <\/span>assist <\/span>KYW <\/span>in <\/span>its <\/span>trans<\/span>fer<\/span> <\/span>from Cleveland <\/span>to Phil<\/span>adelphia<\/span>. <\/span>Originally <\/span>hir<\/span>ed as <\/span>a <\/span>graphic artist<\/span>, <\/span>Tony Graham (1933-1992)<\/span> <\/span>rapidly became <\/span>one of the top gu<\/span>n<\/span>s <\/span>at <\/span>KDKA-<\/span>Pittsburgh<\/span>.[14]<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Unfortunately<\/span>,<\/span> the <\/span>KYW radio<\/span> <\/span>audience <\/span>did <\/span>not care<\/span> <\/span>a great deal <\/span>about<\/span> <\/span>his <\/span>business <\/span>qualifications<\/span>. They were <\/span>only <\/span>interested in<\/span> what <\/span>they heard<\/span> <\/span>broadcasted o<\/span>ver <\/span>the<\/span>ir<\/span> radio<\/span>s<\/span>. <\/span>A <\/span>familiar voice <\/span>Bob Irwin <\/span>took Stagg\u2019s place <\/span>prior to <\/span>the arrival of <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>Ph<\/span>iladelphia<\/span> <\/span>DJ <\/span>Don L. (<\/span>Scotty<\/span>)<\/span> Brink.[15]<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Brink <\/span>took over the 2 pm slot <\/span>which <\/span>enabled <\/span>Jay Lawrence <\/span>to return to his <\/span>Mid<\/span>night <\/span>gig<\/span>. <\/span>Lawrence <\/span>had served as <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>afternoon jock following <\/span>the <\/span>totally <\/span>unexpected <\/span>firing of Stagg<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Without <\/span>any <\/span>warning<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>both <\/span>Ken Draper and <\/span>KYW<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>News <\/span>Director Art<\/span> Schreiber<\/span> packed <\/span>up <\/span>their things <\/span>and <\/span>moved to <\/span>Chicago\u2019s<\/span> <\/span>WCFL<\/span>.[16]<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Draper remained in <\/span>the Windy City <\/span>until 1968. He later head<\/span>ed <\/span>a <\/span>well-known <\/span>Hollywood consulting <\/span>firm <\/span>Programming Incorporated. <\/span>Its many <\/span>accomplishm<\/span>e<\/span>nts included <\/span>creati<\/span>ng the <\/span>soon to be <\/span>legendary rock station <\/span>in New York <\/span>WPIX-FM<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To <\/span>casual <\/span>outsider<\/span>s,<\/span> th<\/span>e KYW-WRCV <\/span>swap <\/span>was <\/span>moving along <\/span>nicely<\/span>. That was exactly what <\/span>managers at <\/span>both stations <\/span>wanted to <\/span>convey<\/span>. <\/span>However, <\/span>behind the scenes <\/span>confusion <\/span>reigned and <\/span>particul<\/span>a<\/span>rly <\/span>among the <\/span>few <\/span>remaining <\/span>KYW <\/span>staff<\/span>. They wanted to know <\/span>what <\/span>w<\/span>as going to <\/span>happen <\/span>to <\/span>them<\/span> when the swap was <\/span>over<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Many in<\/span>siders in<\/span> the radio <\/span>game <\/span>thought that this <\/span>was no way<\/span> <\/span>in which <\/span>to <\/span>handle <\/span>this <\/span>important <\/span>issue <\/span>and <\/span>especially <\/span>for <\/span>a <\/span>successful <\/span>radio<\/span> enterprise <\/span>such as <\/span>KYW<\/span>-Cleveland<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>C<\/span>onfusion <\/span>in <\/span>its <\/span>ranks <\/span>certainly <\/span>did not <\/span>speak well <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse<\/span> Broadcasting Company<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>shrewd <\/span>ma<\/span>nagement<\/span> team<\/span>. Its <\/span>B<\/span>oard <\/span>of Directors <\/span>r<\/span>esponded to this <\/span>growing <\/span>confusion <\/span>by <\/span>sending <\/span>its chairman <\/span>Don <\/span>McGannon to Cleveland <\/span>on <\/span>June<\/span> 7<\/span>, 1965<\/span>.[17]<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>H<\/span>e <\/span>attempted <\/span>to <\/span>u<\/span>ntangle <\/span>this <\/span>mess<\/span> <\/span>by <\/span>explain<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>how <\/span>those <\/span>changes <\/span>would <\/span>or would not <\/span>directly <\/span>affect <\/span>Cleveland <\/span>employees. <\/span>McGannon continually reminded everyone involved that everything was moving along as planned. Station officials had every reason to believe McGannon since many of the Cleveland employees had already received lucrative new contracts from either WBS or NBC. In Philadelphia, WRCV was now known as KYW even though its Cleveland counterpart continued to rely on the KYW call letters.[18]<\/sup><\/a> The National Broadcasting Company told its many Cleveland listeners not to worry that the new station would have its own identity very soon. The positive moves by NBC and WBC made all the difference. They waylay any of the earlier fears expressed by some staff members that something had gone terribly wrong and that the managers were trying to cover it up. Nothing could be further from the truth.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>number of <\/span>tape record<\/span>ings <\/span>captured the <\/span>fury of the <\/span>day <\/span>when <\/span>the <\/span>switch<\/span>over<\/span> transpired<\/span>. There was <\/span>definitely <\/span>some <\/span>drama <\/span>in the air <\/span>on <\/span>the morning of June 19<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span> as <\/span>both the <\/span>National<\/span> <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>Company<\/span> and <\/span>the <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany announc<\/span>ed <\/span>the <\/span>ex<\/span>change.[19]<\/sup><\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As you might have already<\/span> <\/span>construed<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>business <\/span>caginess <\/span>and <\/span>financial <\/span>success were<\/span> <\/span>one and the same<\/span> at KY-11<\/span>. <\/span>Sometimes the <\/span>way in which <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>broadcaster<\/span> selling team p<\/span>resented <\/span>itself <\/span>to potential advertisers <\/span>ultimately <\/span>tipped the scales <\/span>one way or another<\/span>. <\/span>In most cases, t<\/span>he flasher the show<\/span> and <\/span>the higher the station\u2019s profits the better the chances of <\/span>that outlet <\/span>hooking a big fish. <\/span>For example, in January 19<\/span>65 Cleveland<\/span>\u2019s radio<\/span> market <\/span>ascribed to t<\/span>he Radio Response Ratings Service <\/span>(<\/span>RR<\/span>)<\/span>. It ranked KYW<\/span> <\/span>as the number two <\/span>\u201coverall\u201d <\/span>station <\/span>slightly <\/span>behind <\/span>the <\/span>present <\/span>leader <\/span>WHK. The key <\/span>word<\/span> here <\/span>was <\/span>\u201coverall<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span>That meant that <\/span>certain <\/span>KYW <\/span>shows <\/span>blew<\/span> away<\/span> <\/span>their <\/span>competitors <\/span>while others <\/span>not so much.<\/span>[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>However, <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>well-t<\/span>rained <\/span>p<\/span>romoters<\/span> were no<\/span>body\u2019s<\/span> fool. <\/span>They used <\/span>th<\/span>eir station\u2019s <\/span>number two <\/span>rating<\/span> to their <\/span>fullest <\/span>advantage <\/span>by <\/span>repeat<\/span>ed<\/span>ly mentioning <\/span>the <\/span>many <\/span>positive aspects of their <\/span>highly <\/span>successful <\/span>program<\/span>s <\/span>while <\/span>barely<\/span> <\/span>mentioning <\/span>the<\/span>ir<\/span> <\/span>lower rated offerings<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n