{"id":35,"date":"2022-02-23T13:12:38","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T13:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/?post_type=chapter&p=35"},"modified":"2022-05-19T13:45:48","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T13:45:48","slug":"chapter-8-top-40s-radio-legacy-through-kyws-eyes","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/chapter\/chapter-8-top-40s-radio-legacy-through-kyws-eyes\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 8: Top 40s Radio Legacy through KYW’s Eyes"},"content":{"raw":"Top 40<\/span> <\/span>r<\/span>ock and roll r<\/span>adio<\/span> <\/span>stations <\/span>came in <\/span>all <\/span>shapes and sizes.<\/span>\u00a0First <\/span>envisioned <\/span>by Gordon McLendon <\/span>and Todd Storz <\/span>as a way of <\/span>steadily <\/span>increas<\/span>ing <\/span>station <\/span>revenues <\/span>by promoting <\/span>greater numbers of lucrative <\/span>spot advertis<\/span>ements<\/span> per hour<\/span>, <\/span>shrewd program planners rapidly seized <\/span>up<\/span>on th<\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>broadcasting <\/span>sensation<\/span> with great results<\/span>. <\/span>Unquestionably<\/span>, <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>radio <\/span>in the \u201850s <\/span>captured <\/span>t<\/span>he excitement of li<\/span>v<\/span>e broadcasting <\/span>in a way <\/span>few <\/span>other<\/span> <\/span>past <\/span>program<\/span>ming<\/span> choices <\/span>had done<\/span>. <\/span>By <\/span>the 1960s<\/span>,<\/span> Top 40 <\/span>program<\/span>ming <\/span>had <\/span>far exceeded any <\/span>of its <\/span>initial <\/span>goals or objectives. <\/span>It <\/span>successfully <\/span>brough<\/span>t<\/span> together <\/span>the <\/span>never ending <\/span>need <\/span>of <\/span>advertisers to sell <\/span>greater and <\/span>greater amounts of <\/span>consumer items <\/span>on air<\/span> with <\/span>the <\/span>many <\/span>ardent <\/span>listeners <\/span>who <\/span>want<\/span>ed to <\/span>hear<\/span> even <\/span>more <\/span>rock and roll<\/span> <\/span>music <\/span>on <\/span>their <\/span>favorite <\/span>AM <\/span>station<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>That <\/span>fabled<\/span> story enabled <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>broadcasters <\/span>to <\/span>generate <\/span>consistently <\/span>high profit<\/span>s <\/span>year after <\/span>year<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nI<\/span>t became <\/span>clear<\/span>er <\/span>and clearer <\/span>to <\/span>most <\/span>commercial <\/span>radio program<\/span>m<\/span>ers<\/span> <\/span>that the hype <\/span>they <\/span>had <\/span>used to <\/span>entice large<\/span>r and larger<\/span> numbers of <\/span>ad<\/span>vertiser<\/span>s <\/span>did indeed reflect their company\u2019s <\/span>carefully <\/span>throughout<\/span> <\/span>b<\/span>usiness <\/span>objective<\/span>s<\/span>. <\/span>In their minds <\/span>follow<\/span>ing<\/span> any other <\/span>agenda <\/span>seemed less than <\/span>smart<\/span> given their current high <\/span>return on their investment<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Th<\/span>at being said, <\/span>station<\/span> promoters <\/span>and programmers <\/span>in<\/span> the <\/span>50s\u2019 and \u201860s more and more <\/span>custom<\/span>ized <\/span>their <\/span>advertisements to<\/span> <\/span>better <\/span>reflect <\/span>the <\/span>changing needs <\/span>and w<\/span>ants <\/span>of their <\/span>distinct<\/span> listening<\/span> <\/span>audiences<\/span>. <\/span>Once perfected<\/span>, <\/span>advertisers <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>hammered home the<\/span>ir<\/span> <\/span>special <\/span>message<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>24\/7<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Believe me<\/span>, <\/span>no radio <\/span>listener <\/span>ever <\/span>confused <\/span>a <\/span>Manufacturer Hanover Bank <\/span>ad<\/span>vertisement<\/span> <\/span>being <\/span>bro<\/span>a<\/span>dcasted <\/span>o<\/span>n <\/span>New York\u2019s <\/span>leading <\/span>c<\/span>lassical <\/span>music <\/span>station <\/span>WQXR<\/span> <\/span>with <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>Coppertone <\/span>skin <\/span>care <\/span>pro<\/span>duct <\/span>featured <\/span>on <\/span>that same city<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>leading <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>station<\/span> <\/span>WABC. Th<\/span>ose products <\/span>they advertised <\/span>appeal<\/span>ed<\/span> to <\/span>vastly <\/span>different<\/span> <\/span>groups<\/span>. The same <\/span>might be <\/span>said <\/span>about <\/span>popular <\/span>Top 40<\/span> strategies <\/span>found <\/span>in <\/span>mid-<\/span>size <\/span>markets <\/span>such as <\/span>C<\/span>leveland. <\/span>N<\/span>o <\/span>matter<\/span> <\/span>the promotion<\/span> employed<\/span> by a specific station<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>T<\/span>op 40<\/span> <\/span>programming <\/span>p<\/span>lay<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>the same <\/span>group of <\/span>two to three minute <\/span>45s <\/span>over and over again <\/span>wi<\/span>th <\/span>plenty of <\/span>ads;<\/span> <\/span>community <\/span>announcements <\/span>and jingles <\/span>thrown in for good measure<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>T<\/span>alk shows and special <\/span>features <\/span>only added <\/span>to the <\/span>daily <\/span>fun. <\/span>A <\/span>fast tempo kept <\/span>th<\/span>e<\/span> whole thing <\/span>going<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nN<\/span>ews <\/span>broadcast<\/span>s <\/span>at the top <\/span>of the <\/span>hour<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>five minutes before the hour and <\/span>sometimes <\/span>on the half <\/span>hour<\/span> rounded off the<\/span>ir<\/span> <\/span>daily <\/span>lineup<\/span>. <\/span>M<\/span>any <\/span>also <\/span>air<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>religious <\/span>programming. Those shows were <\/span>frequently <\/span>broadcasted <\/span>on <\/span>Sunday<\/span>s<\/span> or <\/span>in the wee small hours of the <\/span>morning<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Local <\/span>jockeys not only <\/span>had the responsibility of <\/span>coordinat<\/span>ing <\/span>the ad<\/span>s and mus<\/span>ic<\/span> to be heard<\/span> <\/span>on <\/span>their <\/span>different <\/span>shows<\/span>; but also, <\/span>engaging in <\/span>friendly <\/span>banter <\/span>with the<\/span>ir<\/span> <\/span>admirers<\/span>. <\/span>They were <\/span>also to <\/span>help <\/span>lessen public <\/span>anxiety <\/span>when emer<\/span>gencies <\/span>such as the Northeast blackout of Nov<\/span>e<\/span>mber 9, 1965 occurred. <\/span>It that was <\/span>n<\/span>ot <\/span>challenging enough,<\/span> <\/span>those same <\/span>jocks <\/span>were expected <\/span>to mak<\/span>e<\/span> it <\/span>all <\/span>fun. After all, <\/span>teens <\/span>would <\/span>n<\/span>ot<\/span> <\/span>hesitate<\/span> <\/span>in the least <\/span>to <\/span>tu<\/span>rn <\/span>to <\/span>another rock and roll station if <\/span>for some <\/span>unexpected <\/span>reason <\/span>their favorite <\/span>spot <\/span>on the <\/span>AM <\/span>dial <\/span>should <\/span>no<\/span> longer <\/span>entertain them<\/span>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nFor many <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>tations<\/span> <\/span>their <\/span>daily <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>days <\/span>closely <\/span>resembled <\/span>a <\/span>t<\/span>hree <\/span>r<\/span>ing <\/span>c<\/span>ircus<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>In fact, many c<\/span>ritics <\/span>jokingly <\/span>called <\/span>it <\/span>the <\/span>\u201cGreatest Show on Earth<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span>However, that was the <\/span>whole <\/span>point<\/span> of it<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>W<\/span>ell <\/span>into the <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>most Top 40s <\/span>exhibited <\/span>a <\/span>mishmash <\/span>of <\/span>loud <\/span>bells and <\/span>piercing <\/span>whistles <\/span>intended <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>sole <\/span>enjoyment of <\/span>their <\/span>highly <\/span>energized, <\/span>young<\/span>er<\/span> <\/span>listener<\/span>. Th<\/span>at <\/span>also meant <\/span>slightly off-c<\/span>olor <\/span>jokes<\/span> <\/span>and <\/span>of course <\/span>non-stop<\/span> talk<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>with <\/span>plenty of rock and roll music<\/span> in between<\/span>. <\/span>Many <\/span>listene<\/span>rs<\/span> <\/span>t<\/span>urned <\/span>to <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>stations<\/span> <\/span>to <\/span>escap<\/span>e<\/span> their <\/span>boring <\/span>daily <\/span>routines <\/span>while o<\/span>thers <\/span>simply enjoyed it<\/span>s <\/span>p<\/span>ersonalized<\/span> form of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>e<\/span>ntertainment<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>In fact, m<\/span>any <\/span>young people established a <\/span>close <\/span>bond<\/span> with other<\/span> <\/span>teens<\/span>,<\/span> both <\/span>far <\/span>and near<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>who <\/span>listen<\/span>ed<\/span> to th<\/span>os<\/span>e same s<\/span>tations<\/span>. <\/span>Ask nearly any<\/span>one <\/span>who was a teen<\/span>ager<\/span> <\/span>or young adult during <\/span>the <\/span>late <\/span>19<\/span>50s <\/span>or early <\/span>19<\/span>60s what <\/span>his or hers <\/span>favorite <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>station <\/span>was<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>and <\/span>they will <\/span>not only <\/span>yell out the <\/span>call letters; but also, sing <\/span>its <\/span>jingles <\/span>or <\/span>mimic <\/span>their <\/span>favorite <\/span>DJs<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>This <\/span>experience <\/span>was <\/span>magnified <\/span>even <\/span>further <\/span>by 50,000 watts <\/span>giants <\/span>like WABC, WBZ, WSB, <\/span>WLS, WLW and KYW. Their <\/span>clear <\/span>signals <\/span>at night <\/span>extended <\/span>over <\/span>much of the <\/span>U.S.<\/span> and Canada.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Many kids <\/span>living <\/span>in <\/span>states like <\/span>Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia and New York <\/span>forged <\/span>a close <\/span>bond<\/span> <\/span>as <\/span>they listened to the <\/span>fun <\/span>sounds <\/span>emanating <\/span>from <\/span>the <\/span>greatest<\/span> <\/span>disc jockeys <\/span>of the <\/span>era<\/span>. They included <\/span>the likes of <\/span>Bruce Bradley, Cousin Brucie, <\/span>Jay Law<\/span>r<\/span>ence<\/span>, <\/span>Robert E. Lee<\/span> <\/span>and <\/span>Joey Reynolds<\/span>,<\/span> to name <\/span>but <\/span>a few<\/span>.<\/span> The same <\/span>held <\/span>true in <\/span>the West <\/span>where Tom Donahue, Jimmy O\u2019Neill and Real Dan Steele held court<\/span> regular<\/span>ly<\/span>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nTop 40<\/span> <\/span>program<\/span> coordinators more and more <\/span>catered to th<\/span>eir many <\/span>devoted <\/span>fans <\/span>who <\/span>depended on them<\/span> for the <\/span>very <\/span>best in <\/span>radio <\/span>broadcasting<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Of course, c<\/span>ertain <\/span>stations stood <\/span>out <\/span>among <\/span>the <\/span>crowd<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Who can forget <\/span>Top 40 leaders such as <\/span>W<\/span>MEX<\/span>-<\/span>Boston<\/span>,<\/span> WABC<\/span>-New York, WFIL-<\/span>Philadelphia, WQXI<\/span>-<\/span>Atlanta<\/span>, <\/span>WNOE<\/span>-<\/span>New Orleans<\/span>, <\/span>WLS<\/span>-<\/span>Chicago, KIMN<\/span>-<\/span>Denver, KJR<\/span>-Seattle, KFRC-<\/span>San <\/span>Francisco and KHJ-<\/span>Los <\/span>Angeles?<\/span> However, there were <\/span>many <\/span>other<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>in <\/span>smaller <\/span>markets <\/span>that <\/span>left <\/span>their <\/span>indelible <\/span>mark<\/span>. WKBW<\/span>-<\/span>Buffalo, KXOK<\/span>-<\/span>St. Louis, WHB<\/span>-<\/span>Kansas City and <\/span>KOY-<\/span>Phoenix<\/span> fi<\/span>t<\/span>t<\/span>ed<\/span> into<\/span> <\/span>tha<\/span>t<\/span> <\/span>latter <\/span>category<\/span>. <\/span>Of all those <\/span>mid-<\/span>sized<\/span> <\/span>market<\/span>s, Cleveland<\/span>, OH <\/span>has <\/span>been <\/span>largely<\/span> <\/span>overlooked <\/span>by <\/span>many <\/span>research<\/span>ers<\/span> in this field<\/span>.<\/span> Th<\/span>at<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>eems<\/span> <\/span>somewhat <\/span>surprising <\/span>since <\/span>that <\/span>city<\/span> <\/span>pro<\/span>duced some <\/span>very <\/span>influential <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>stations<\/span>, <\/span>important<\/span> <\/span>broadcasting icons <\/span>a<\/span>nd<\/span> some of the<\/span> <\/span>greatest rock <\/span>and roll <\/span>bands<\/span> this nation ha<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>ever <\/span>seen<\/span>. <\/span>Also, d<\/span>on\u2019t forget that <\/span>Cleveland is<\/span> <\/span>the <\/span>home <\/span>of <\/span>the Rock and Roll <\/span>Hall of Fame and <\/span>Museum.<\/span>\r\n\r\nKYW-Cleveland <\/span>remained <\/span>one of this country\u2019s <\/span>most <\/span>admired <\/span>radio broadcasters <\/span>for <\/span>over <\/span>nine <\/span>years. Its <\/span>highly <\/span>professional <\/span>managers, fun <\/span>lovin<\/span> <\/span>disk jockeys and top notched <\/span>technicians <\/span>were <\/span>very <\/span>impressive <\/span>examples <\/span>of how efficient<\/span> <\/span>AM <\/span>outlets <\/span>should <\/span>have <\/span>operate<\/span>d<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>As <\/span>we <\/span>saw earlier<\/span>, <\/span>the <\/span>different <\/span>managers <\/span>at <\/span>KY-<\/span>11<\/span> <\/span>did not <\/span>automatically <\/span>embrace <\/span>the <\/span>new <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>craze<\/span> <\/span>that was sweeping the nation in <\/span>the late <\/span>\u2018<\/span>50s<\/span>. <\/span>In fact, <\/span>W<\/span>B<\/span>C<\/span> <\/span>eased into it<\/span> gradually<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>It had every reason to proceed <\/span>with c<\/span>aution<\/span>. <\/span>T<\/span>hat proved to be a very wise move <\/span>given the<\/span> occasional <\/span>cultural and racial <\/span>f<\/span>lare <\/span>ups <\/span>that occurred in that largely blue collar community. That being said, its shrewd programmers knew that <\/span>eventually <\/span>their<\/span> station would have to <\/span>join <\/span>the <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>bandwagon<\/span> and t<\/span>hey were <\/span>entirely <\/span>right<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, <\/span>a host of <\/span>internal and external business pressures made <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>successful <\/span>transformation <\/span>from a <\/span>mid<\/span>dle<\/span>-<\/span>of<\/span>-<\/span>the<\/span>-<\/span>r<\/span>oad<\/span> music, news and talk <\/span>station <\/span>to <\/span>a <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>contend<\/span>er <\/span>slower than <\/span>one <\/span>might have <\/span>initially <\/span>expected<\/span>. <\/span>Like a <\/span>mid<\/span>dle weight boxing contender<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>it <\/span>had to<\/span> <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>prove its worth in the <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>ring<\/span> before it could take the lead<\/span>. W<\/span>estinghouse\u2019s <\/span>seemingly <\/span>n<\/span>ever ending <\/span>legal <\/span>entanglements<\/span> <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span>, <\/span>the <\/span>Philco <\/span>Corporation <\/span>and RKO-General <\/span>throughout <\/span>the late \u2018<\/span>50s and early <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s<\/span> did not <\/span>expedite this process<\/span>. <\/span>Given what <\/span>transpired <\/span>over those <\/span>critical <\/span>years<\/span>, h<\/span>ow could <\/span>th<\/span>e<\/span> result<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>have <\/span>been <\/span>much <\/span>different<\/span>? <\/span>As <\/span>we <\/span>s<\/span>aw repeatedly<\/span>, the <\/span>NBC-<\/span>W<\/span>BC <\/span>exchange <\/span>in <\/span>\u2018<\/span>56 <\/span>was <\/span>anything but <\/span>smooth<\/span>. <\/span>As was pointed ou<\/span>t<\/span> throughout this writing, l<\/span>egal <\/span>problems <\/span>beset <\/span>the whole thing <\/span>from the <\/span>very <\/span>beginning <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>t<\/span>ri<\/span>e<\/span>d <\/span>to <\/span>secure <\/span>blanket<\/span>ed<\/span> television coverage <\/span>from <\/span>New York<\/span> <\/span>City <\/span>to Washington, D.C.\u00a0<\/span>For that to <\/span>occur<\/span>, NBC <\/span>had to <\/span>own <\/span>and operate <\/span>one <\/span>of <\/span>Phil<\/span>ly\u2019s prime <\/span>television <\/span>stations<\/span>. <\/span>Its Bo<\/span>ard<\/span> of Directors<\/span> <\/span>considered several <\/span>o<\/span>ptions <\/span>before <\/span>endorsing <\/span>a <\/span>station <\/span>swap <\/span>between <\/span>WTAM in <\/span>Cleveland <\/span>and <\/span>KYW in <\/span>Philadelphia<\/span>.<\/span> Th<\/span>e FCC <\/span>finally <\/span>approved <\/span>the <\/span>exchange <\/span>in <\/span>January 19<\/span>56.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nQ<\/span>uestionable <\/span>business <\/span>ethics <\/span>a<\/span>nd <\/span>thorny <\/span>legal issues <\/span>pertaining <\/span>to <\/span>NBC <\/span>business practices <\/span>greatly <\/span>concerned <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>U.S. <\/span>D<\/span>epartment of <\/span>J<\/span>ustice<\/span> <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>U.S. <\/span>3<\/span><\/span>rd<\/span><\/span> District Court<\/span> <\/span>in Philadelphia<\/span>. <\/span>The <\/span>discovery <\/span>that <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> <\/span>had<\/span> coerced <\/span>the <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> in<\/span>to <\/span>accepting th<\/span>at <\/span>trade <\/span>forc<\/span>ed <\/span>the feds <\/span>to <\/span>issu<\/span>e<\/span> a <\/span>cease <\/span>and decease <\/span>order against NBC<\/span> in <\/span>\u2018<\/span>59<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Among other things, the<\/span> <\/span>DOJ <\/span>consent decree<\/span> <\/span>demanded that <\/span>RCA-<\/span>NBC <\/span>divest itself of <\/span>its <\/span>Phil<\/span>adelphia <\/span>television <\/span>holding <\/span>no later than <\/span>December <\/span>31, <\/span>19<\/span>62. <\/span>Additional<\/span> <\/span>pressure <\/span>leveraged on NBC <\/span>by <\/span>the <\/span>Philco <\/span>Corporation <\/span>in an <\/span>attempt to snatch <\/span>the WRCV<\/span>-Philadelphia <\/span>license<\/span> <\/span>out of the hands of <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> <\/span>resulted in <\/span>a <\/span>lengthy <\/span>court <\/span>battle <\/span>that pitted <\/span>the legal <\/span>genius<\/span> and financial <\/span>resources<\/span> of <\/span>both <\/span>parties against the other<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>F<\/span>urther <\/span>legal <\/span>complication<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>surfaced <\/span>in <\/span>the fading months of <\/span>19<\/span>60 <\/span>when <\/span>RKO<\/span>-General<\/span> <\/span>approached <\/span>the <\/span>FCC <\/span>to approve a similar <\/span>NBC <\/span>station <\/span>trade<\/span>. T<\/span>hat <\/span>exchange <\/span>would have <\/span>affect<\/span>ed <\/span>major <\/span>radio and television <\/span>stations <\/span>in<\/span> both<\/span> <\/span>B<\/span>oston and Philadelphia.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nAfter much <\/span>legal <\/span>wrangling, t<\/span>he<\/span> <\/span>feds <\/span>f<\/span>inally <\/span>denied the <\/span>RKO petition <\/span>claiming <\/span>that <\/span>it <\/span>would not serve the <\/span>public<\/span>\u2019s<\/span> <\/span>interests<\/span>. Meanwhile<\/span>, the <\/span>\u2018<\/span>56 <\/span>exchange <\/span>received even greater scrutiny <\/span>b<\/span>y <\/span>the <\/span>court<\/span>s<\/span>. E<\/span>vidence <\/span>increasingly <\/span>revealed <\/span>that <\/span>NBC<\/span> had <\/span>knowingly<\/span> and <\/span>will<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>threaten<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>to pull <\/span>its <\/span>affiliation <\/span>from <\/span>two <\/span>Group <\/span>W<\/span> <\/span>television <\/span>stations<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>one <\/span>in <\/span>Boston and <\/span>the other in <\/span>San Francisco<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>if <\/span>th<\/span>at<\/span> deal <\/span>failed to materialize<\/span>. <\/span>Th<\/span>at<\/span> network\u2019s <\/span>wrongdoing coupled <\/span>with other potentially damaging evidence of gross misconduct <\/span>by <\/span>RCA-NBC directed <\/span>the <\/span>feds <\/span>in <\/span>the summer of <\/span>1964 <\/span>to <\/span>do something it rarely did <\/span>rev<\/span>erse <\/span>th<\/span>eir <\/span>earlier <\/span>consent<\/span> <\/span>to the <\/span>\u201956 <\/span>swap<\/span>. The<\/span> feds <\/span>subsequently <\/span>ordered b<\/span>oth <\/span>networks <\/span>to return th<\/span>eir <\/span>stations to their <\/span>original c<\/span>i<\/span>ties<\/span>. <\/span>Th<\/span>at<\/span> <\/span>resulted in <\/span>KYW-Cleveland<\/span> <\/span>going <\/span>back <\/span>to Phil<\/span>adelphia <\/span>to become <\/span>that city\u2019s <\/span>all-news <\/span>radio <\/span>station<\/span> while WRCV-Philadelphia <\/span>returned <\/span>to Cleveland <\/span>as WKYC <\/span>to assume its <\/span>new <\/span>role <\/span>as <\/span>t<\/span>hat city\u2019s <\/span>new <\/span>prime <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>outlet<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nAll that <\/span>legal <\/span>uproar <\/span>distracted Westinghouse<\/span> from following through with its <\/span>prim<\/span>e responsibility <\/span>namely <\/span>operat<\/span>ing <\/span>a <\/span>successful <\/span>AM<\/span>-FM station and <\/span>a <\/span>local <\/span>television outlet <\/span>in <\/span>Cleveland<\/span>. <\/span>Accomplishing that challenging business task <\/span>w<\/span>as <\/span>certainly <\/span>a no brainer for <\/span>Group <\/span>W<\/span> <\/span>si<\/span>nce th<\/span>at <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>company <\/span>had <\/span>a long history of <\/span>success<\/span> in that regard<\/span>. It was the <\/span>unnerving <\/span>legal situation<\/span> occurring<\/span> <\/span>from <\/span>19<\/span>56 <\/span>to 1965 <\/span>that made <\/span>what would have <\/span>normally <\/span>been a rel<\/span>atively simple <\/span>task <\/span>into a<\/span>n unsightly <\/span>mess<\/span>. <\/span>D<\/span>uring <\/span>its <\/span>first months of <\/span>broadcasting in Cleveland<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>KYW <\/span>managers <\/span>wisely <\/span>follow<\/span>ed<\/span> the same <\/span>play book developed by its NBC <\/span>forerunner <\/span>at<\/span> WTAM. KYW\u2019s <\/span>growing reliance on <\/span>mid<\/span>dle<\/span>-<\/span>of<\/span>-<\/span>the<\/span>-<\/span>road <\/span>music<\/span> complemented by<\/span> <\/span>top <\/span>quality newscasts, <\/span>first class <\/span>talk shows and <\/span>very <\/span>worthwhile <\/span>community<\/span> <\/span>shows<\/span> <\/span>were reminiscent of<\/span> its predecessor<\/span>. However, <\/span>that w<\/span>ould <\/span>soon <\/span>change<\/span> considerably<\/span>. B<\/span>y <\/span>mid-<\/span>\u2018<\/span>5<\/span>7<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>Cleveland\u2019s <\/span>KYW-Radio <\/span>had <\/span>started <\/span>to <\/span>break <\/span>away from <\/span>the <\/span>accepted <\/span>broadcasting<\/span> <\/span>norm<\/span>s<\/span>.<\/span> I<\/span>n fact, i<\/span>t<\/span> <\/span>debuted <\/span>more<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>in-depth<\/span> <\/span>talk shows and highly sophisticated jazz programming as well as frequent newscasts and larger and larger doses of rock and roll music. It was all carefully orchestrated as listeners became acquainted with the exciting new sounds emanating out of 1100 on your AM dial. Its insightful program planners eagerly promoted such things as \u201ccooler\u201d DJs as a new and perhaps better way in which to get the message across to their listeners. Those radio personalities also prided themselves on offering a wide range of easy-to-win, fun contests. That tactic worked very well from the very first day of broadcasting.<\/span>\r\n\r\nI<\/span>mproved <\/span>local <\/span>rating<\/span>s <\/span>was <\/span>a testimony to <\/span>that outlet\u2019s <\/span>growing <\/span>importance<\/span> in the Greater Cleveland area<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0On the <\/span>flip <\/span>side<\/span> of the dial<\/span>, <\/span>its <\/span>popular <\/span>FM <\/span>station <\/span>at <\/span>105.7 <\/span>relied less <\/span>and less <\/span>on <\/span>simulcasts<\/span> <\/span>as it <\/span>furnish<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>more <\/span>and more <\/span>top quality <\/span>c<\/span>lassical <\/span>music <\/span>shows <\/span>accompanied by <\/span>a multitude of <\/span>s<\/span>timulating <\/span>conversations <\/span>dedicated to <\/span>numerous <\/span>arts-<\/span>related <\/span>topics<\/span>. I<\/span>n a <\/span>very <\/span>spirited <\/span>move <\/span>intended <\/span>to <\/span>promote <\/span>even <\/span>high<\/span>er <\/span>profit<\/span>s<\/span>, <\/span>KYW<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>savvy <\/span>program<\/span>mers <\/span>began <\/span>adding <\/span>a <\/span>great deal <\/span>more <\/span>rock and roll<\/span> music<\/span> to their <\/span>AM <\/span>playlist<\/span>. That <\/span>new<\/span>ly<\/span> <\/span>revised <\/span>format c<\/span>ame at <\/span>a cost<\/span> to more traditional listeners<\/span>. The<\/span> station <\/span>increasingly downplayed such things as the <\/span>traditional <\/span>big band <\/span>sound<\/span>s<\/span>;<\/span> <\/span>favorite <\/span>Sinatra-like <\/span>crooners <\/span>and <\/span>fantastic <\/span>Broadway <\/span>show <\/span>tunes.<\/span> <\/span>I<\/span>n its wake, <\/span>fast-talking jocks <\/span>complemented by <\/span>special<\/span>ly<\/span>-<\/span>attuned <\/span>program<\/span>ming<\/span> <\/span>began to <\/span>win the day<\/span>. <\/span>Community leaders <\/span>in larger and larger numbers began publicly to <\/span>thank KYW<\/span>-Radio <\/span>for promot<\/span>ing <\/span>such things as better <\/span>driving<\/span> <\/span>habits<\/span> <\/span>through <\/span>its <\/span>weekly <\/span>broadcasts <\/span>of <\/span>traffic court<\/span>. I<\/span>ts commitment to Cleveland <\/span>also <\/span>resulted in <\/span>the <\/span>decidedly <\/span>successful <\/span>\u201cKYW <\/span>Road Show<\/span>.\u201d <\/span>Considered <\/span>a prime <\/span>training ground for future entertainers<\/span>, <\/span>this <\/span>show donated <\/span>most of <\/span>its proceeds to <\/span>local <\/span>charit<\/span>ies<\/span>. <\/span>Th<\/span>at proud radio <\/span>outlet <\/span>also <\/span>broadcast<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>the <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse<\/span> Broadcasting Company<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s <\/span>much <\/span>acclaimed <\/span>nightly newscast<\/span> while <\/span>simultaneously <\/span>e<\/span>xpanding <\/span>its own<\/span> <\/span>prize winning <\/span>newscasts<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nMore and more t<\/span>he latest <\/span>folk tunes a<\/span>nd <\/span>rock and roll<\/span> music <\/span>dominated <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>broadcasting day in <\/span>the <\/span>early <\/span>19<\/span>60s<\/span>. <\/span>It also <\/span>regularly <\/span>sponsored <\/span>exciting <\/span>record hops <\/span>intended <\/span>for <\/span>teenagers and young adults. <\/span>As <\/span>was <\/span>pointed out earlier, <\/span>its <\/span>astute <\/span>officials <\/span>soon <\/span>re<\/span>alized <\/span>that the <\/span>immediate <\/span>future <\/span>of AM radio <\/span>definitely <\/span>be<\/span>long<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>to <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>programming and that this powerhouse <\/span>had <\/span>better <\/span>join <\/span>that <\/span>movement<\/span> quickly<\/span>. <\/span>The <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse Company\u2019s <\/span>B<\/span>oard of <\/span>Directors <\/span>immediately <\/span>re<\/span>acted <\/span>to <\/span>mounting <\/span>pressure <\/span>to convert <\/span>KYW-AM from a comfortable, middle-of-the-road radio outlet <\/span>to <\/span>a<\/span>n exciting<\/span> <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>contender ASAP. <\/span>It did just that in the autumn of \u201963 when <\/span>the Westinghouse board <\/span>appoint<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>one of <\/span>that network\u2019s brightest stars <\/span>KEX<\/span>-Radio<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>Ken Draper <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>new<\/span>est <\/span>KYW <\/span>P<\/span>rogram <\/span>D<\/span>irector. <\/span>He <\/span>rapidly<\/span> <\/span>transformed <\/span>th<\/span>at <\/span>mid<\/span>dle-<\/span>of<\/span>-<\/span>the<\/span>-<\/span>road <\/span>music <\/span>station <\/span>into <\/span>Northeast Ohio<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>biggest <\/span>rock and <\/span>station<\/span> <\/span>now known as <\/span>KY<\/span>-<\/span>11<\/span>. T<\/span>hose <\/span>i<\/span>nspiring business <\/span>d<\/span>evelopment<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>were not <\/span>something new for <\/span>this <\/span>insightful <\/span>station<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>After all, <\/span>its <\/span>leaders<\/span>hip <\/span>success<\/span>es <\/span>dat<\/span>ed<\/span> back to <\/span>its <\/span>earliest <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>days in <\/span>Chicago<\/span>. Understanding <\/span>how both <\/span>WBC <\/span>and <\/span>KYW operat<\/span>ed n<\/span>ot only <\/span>enabled <\/span>Ken <\/span>Draper to gain the <\/span>full <\/span>trust of his <\/span>many <\/span>colleagues<\/span> within months<\/span> of his arrival<\/span>; but also, <\/span>encouraged <\/span>him to <\/span>pursue<\/span> other<\/span>, <\/span>more <\/span>radical <\/span>program <\/span>changes <\/span>than w<\/span>ere <\/span>first <\/span>proposed<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>A<\/span> shoe-in as a <\/span>major <\/span>Midwest <\/span>Top 40<\/span> station<\/span>,<\/span> 11<\/span>00 AM<\/span> <\/span>quickly <\/span>became <\/span>Cleveland\u2019s number one rock and roll<\/span> <\/span>outlet<\/span>. <\/span>That <\/span>quick turna<\/span>bout in <\/span>its <\/span>fortunes <\/span>left <\/span>many of <\/span>its <\/span>local <\/span>rivals <\/span>speechless<\/span>.<\/span> H<\/span>ad <\/span>that popular station <\/span>remain<\/span>e<\/span>d <\/span>in Cleveland<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>in all <\/span>probability, <\/span>it would have <\/span>continued <\/span>to <\/span>serve as <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>pacesetter<\/span>. Its <\/span>seeds for <\/span>future <\/span>greatness <\/span>had been <\/span>firmly <\/span>planted <\/span>with<\/span>in Clevelan<\/span>d<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>very <\/span>fertile<\/span> soil <\/span>by the <\/span>late <\/span>\u2018<\/span>50s<\/span>. <\/span>That is why <\/span>many <\/span>prominent <\/span>radio personalities <\/span>wanted to <\/span>be <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>part of <\/span>i<\/span>t<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nHowever, <\/span>KYW <\/span>signified <\/span>much more <\/span>than <\/span>just <\/span>a <\/span>great <\/span>training <\/span>ground for <\/span>ambitious <\/span>disk jockeys <\/span>on the<\/span>ir<\/span> way up<\/span> the corporate ladder<\/span>. It <\/span>was <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>rewarding <\/span>experience for many jocks even if <\/span>the<\/span>ir<\/span> station\u2019s <\/span>managers<\/span> could be <\/span>difficult<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Most importantly<\/span> for st<\/span>ruggling <\/span>r<\/span>adio s<\/span>tations<\/span>, <\/span>KY-<\/span>11<\/span> <\/span>afforded <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>workable <\/span>blueprint that <\/span>broadcast<\/span>ers could <\/span>easily <\/span>apply to almost any <\/span>competitive<\/span> <\/span>setting<\/span>. <\/span>In fact, l<\/span>arge and small <\/span>stations<\/span> <\/span>alike <\/span>frequently <\/span>drew upon <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>vast <\/span>program<\/span>ming<\/span> content and <\/span>unique<\/span> delivery<\/span> <\/span>style<\/span> to <\/span>he<\/span>l<\/span>p <\/span>them<\/span> during difficult times<\/span>. <\/span><\/span>Fun <\/span>guy<\/span>s, <\/span>exciting <\/span>jingles and <\/span>promos<\/span>, <\/span>great <\/span>sounding <\/span>records<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>timely <\/span>news<\/span>casts<\/span> a<\/span>nd <\/span>the <\/span>very <\/span>b<\/span>est <\/span>in <\/span>sports<\/span> coverage<\/span>, traffic conditions <\/span>a<\/span>nd <\/span>up-to-the-minute <\/span>weather reports <\/span>distinguished <\/span>KYW<\/span>-Cleveland<\/span> from <\/span>the <\/span>emerging <\/span>pack<\/span>. In addition, <\/span>it<\/span>s <\/span>shrewd <\/span>management <\/span>encouraged <\/span>its <\/span>many <\/span>prime <\/span>broadcasters <\/span>to <\/span>bec<\/span>o<\/span>me <\/span>both <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>eyes and ears<\/span> of their listeners<\/span>. <\/span>The <\/span>continued <\/span>financial <\/span>success <\/span>of <\/span>any major <\/span>U.S. <\/span>radio <\/span>outlet<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>during <\/span>the <\/span>uncertain <\/span>times of the <\/span>\u2018<\/span>50s and <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>rested <\/span>exclusively <\/span>on <\/span>achiev<\/span>ing <\/span>two <\/span>major <\/span>goals<\/span> repeatedly<\/span>. F<\/span>irst<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>it <\/span>had to maintain <\/span>an<\/span> <\/span>intimate relationship <\/span>with <\/span>its <\/span>many <\/span>loyal <\/span>fa<\/span>ns<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Second, <\/span>it <\/span>had to <\/span>consistently <\/span>broadcast <\/span>the <\/span>very <\/span>best in <\/span>music<\/span>, news<\/span>, sports<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>talk shows and <\/span>weather<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\nThose <\/span>business <\/span>practices that governed <\/span>the <\/span>not so distant <\/span>past <\/span>should not be lost to modern<\/span> br<\/span>o<\/span>a<\/span>dcasters <\/span>who are <\/span>forced to <\/span>meet the growing <\/span>challenges <\/span>posed by <\/span>the <\/span>abundance of <\/span>listening <\/span>options <\/span>available<\/span> in today\u2019s market<\/span>. Change<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>in broadcasting forms and styles m<\/span>ay be <\/span>good <\/span>especially <\/span>when <\/span>you<\/span>r <\/span>radio <\/span>station<\/span> <\/span>takes <\/span>a forceful <\/span>lead <\/span>when<\/span> it comes to using <\/span>them<\/span>. <\/span>Commercial radio <\/span>leaders <\/span>instantly<\/span> <\/span>knew that to be true<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>even decades <\/span>ago<\/span>. <\/span>The<\/span>i<\/span>r reward <\/span>manifested <\/span>itself <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>in<\/span> large<\/span> <\/span>listening audience<\/span>s<\/span>, <\/span>soaring <\/span>revenues<\/span> and <\/span>minimum<\/span> overhead costs<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>F<\/span>rom Cleveland to Parma and from Rocky River to Akron<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>11<\/span>00 AM<\/span> <\/span>was always there for you<\/span> day and night<\/span>. \u201cMy Baby Loves KYW, Yea, Yea, Yea,\u201d <\/span>but so <\/span>d<\/span>id <\/span>m<\/span>ost <\/span>of <\/span>Cleveland and <\/span>Northeast Ohio<\/span> <\/span>for <\/span>over <\/span>nine incredible years<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>","rendered":"

Top 40<\/span> <\/span>r<\/span>ock and roll r<\/span>adio<\/span> <\/span>stations <\/span>came in <\/span>all <\/span>shapes and sizes.<\/span>\u00a0First <\/span>envisioned <\/span>by Gordon McLendon <\/span>and Todd Storz <\/span>as a way of <\/span>steadily <\/span>increas<\/span>ing <\/span>station <\/span>revenues <\/span>by promoting <\/span>greater numbers of lucrative <\/span>spot advertis<\/span>ements<\/span> per hour<\/span>, <\/span>shrewd program planners rapidly seized <\/span>up<\/span>on th<\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>broadcasting <\/span>sensation<\/span> with great results<\/span>. <\/span>Unquestionably<\/span>, <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>radio <\/span>in the \u201850s <\/span>captured <\/span>t<\/span>he excitement of li<\/span>v<\/span>e broadcasting <\/span>in a way <\/span>few <\/span>other<\/span> <\/span>past <\/span>program<\/span>ming<\/span> choices <\/span>had done<\/span>. <\/span>By <\/span>the 1960s<\/span>,<\/span> Top 40 <\/span>program<\/span>ming <\/span>had <\/span>far exceeded any <\/span>of its <\/span>initial <\/span>goals or objectives. <\/span>It <\/span>successfully <\/span>brough<\/span>t<\/span> together <\/span>the <\/span>never ending <\/span>need <\/span>of <\/span>advertisers to sell <\/span>greater and <\/span>greater amounts of <\/span>consumer items <\/span>on air<\/span> with <\/span>the <\/span>many <\/span>ardent <\/span>listeners <\/span>who <\/span>want<\/span>ed to <\/span>hear<\/span> even <\/span>more <\/span>rock and roll<\/span> <\/span>music <\/span>on <\/span>their <\/span>favorite <\/span>AM <\/span>station<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>That <\/span>fabled<\/span> story enabled <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>broadcasters <\/span>to <\/span>generate <\/span>consistently <\/span>high profit<\/span>s <\/span>year after <\/span>year<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>t became <\/span>clear<\/span>er <\/span>and clearer <\/span>to <\/span>most <\/span>commercial <\/span>radio program<\/span>m<\/span>ers<\/span> <\/span>that the hype <\/span>they <\/span>had <\/span>used to <\/span>entice large<\/span>r and larger<\/span> numbers of <\/span>ad<\/span>vertiser<\/span>s <\/span>did indeed reflect their company\u2019s <\/span>carefully <\/span>throughout<\/span> <\/span>b<\/span>usiness <\/span>objective<\/span>s<\/span>. <\/span>In their minds <\/span>follow<\/span>ing<\/span> any other <\/span>agenda <\/span>seemed less than <\/span>smart<\/span> given their current high <\/span>return on their investment<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Th<\/span>at being said, <\/span>station<\/span> promoters <\/span>and programmers <\/span>in<\/span> the <\/span>50s\u2019 and \u201860s more and more <\/span>custom<\/span>ized <\/span>their <\/span>advertisements to<\/span> <\/span>better <\/span>reflect <\/span>the <\/span>changing needs <\/span>and w<\/span>ants <\/span>of their <\/span>distinct<\/span> listening<\/span> <\/span>audiences<\/span>. <\/span>Once perfected<\/span>, <\/span>advertisers <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>hammered home the<\/span>ir<\/span> <\/span>special <\/span>message<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>24\/7<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Believe me<\/span>, <\/span>no radio <\/span>listener <\/span>ever <\/span>confused <\/span>a <\/span>Manufacturer Hanover Bank <\/span>ad<\/span>vertisement<\/span> <\/span>being <\/span>bro<\/span>a<\/span>dcasted <\/span>o<\/span>n <\/span>New York\u2019s <\/span>leading <\/span>c<\/span>lassical <\/span>music <\/span>station <\/span>WQXR<\/span> <\/span>with <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>Coppertone <\/span>skin <\/span>care <\/span>pro<\/span>duct <\/span>featured <\/span>on <\/span>that same city<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>leading <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>station<\/span> <\/span>WABC. Th<\/span>ose products <\/span>they advertised <\/span>appeal<\/span>ed<\/span> to <\/span>vastly <\/span>different<\/span> <\/span>groups<\/span>. The same <\/span>might be <\/span>said <\/span>about <\/span>popular <\/span>Top 40<\/span> strategies <\/span>found <\/span>in <\/span>mid-<\/span>size <\/span>markets <\/span>such as <\/span>C<\/span>leveland. <\/span>N<\/span>o <\/span>matter<\/span> <\/span>the promotion<\/span> employed<\/span> by a specific station<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>T<\/span>op 40<\/span> <\/span>programming <\/span>p<\/span>lay<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>the same <\/span>group of <\/span>two to three minute <\/span>45s <\/span>over and over again <\/span>wi<\/span>th <\/span>plenty of <\/span>ads;<\/span> <\/span>community <\/span>announcements <\/span>and jingles <\/span>thrown in for good measure<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>T<\/span>alk shows and special <\/span>features <\/span>only added <\/span>to the <\/span>daily <\/span>fun. <\/span>A <\/span>fast tempo kept <\/span>th<\/span>e<\/span> whole thing <\/span>going<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

N<\/span>ews <\/span>broadcast<\/span>s <\/span>at the top <\/span>of the <\/span>hour<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>five minutes before the hour and <\/span>sometimes <\/span>on the half <\/span>hour<\/span> rounded off the<\/span>ir<\/span> <\/span>daily <\/span>lineup<\/span>. <\/span>M<\/span>any <\/span>also <\/span>air<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>religious <\/span>programming. Those shows were <\/span>frequently <\/span>broadcasted <\/span>on <\/span>Sunday<\/span>s<\/span> or <\/span>in the wee small hours of the <\/span>morning<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Local <\/span>jockeys not only <\/span>had the responsibility of <\/span>coordinat<\/span>ing <\/span>the ad<\/span>s and mus<\/span>ic<\/span> to be heard<\/span> <\/span>on <\/span>their <\/span>different <\/span>shows<\/span>; but also, <\/span>engaging in <\/span>friendly <\/span>banter <\/span>with the<\/span>ir<\/span> <\/span>admirers<\/span>. <\/span>They were <\/span>also to <\/span>help <\/span>lessen public <\/span>anxiety <\/span>when emer<\/span>gencies <\/span>such as the Northeast blackout of Nov<\/span>e<\/span>mber 9, 1965 occurred. <\/span>It that was <\/span>n<\/span>ot <\/span>challenging enough,<\/span> <\/span>those same <\/span>jocks <\/span>were expected <\/span>to mak<\/span>e<\/span> it <\/span>all <\/span>fun. After all, <\/span>teens <\/span>would <\/span>n<\/span>ot<\/span> <\/span>hesitate<\/span> <\/span>in the least <\/span>to <\/span>tu<\/span>rn <\/span>to <\/span>another rock and roll station if <\/span>for some <\/span>unexpected <\/span>reason <\/span>their favorite <\/span>spot <\/span>on the <\/span>AM <\/span>dial <\/span>should <\/span>no<\/span> longer <\/span>entertain them<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

For many <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>tations<\/span> <\/span>their <\/span>daily <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>days <\/span>closely <\/span>resembled <\/span>a <\/span>t<\/span>hree <\/span>r<\/span>ing <\/span>c<\/span>ircus<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>In fact, many c<\/span>ritics <\/span>jokingly <\/span>called <\/span>it <\/span>the <\/span>\u201cGreatest Show on Earth<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span>However, that was the <\/span>whole <\/span>point<\/span> of it<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>W<\/span>ell <\/span>into the <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>most Top 40s <\/span>exhibited <\/span>a <\/span>mishmash <\/span>of <\/span>loud <\/span>bells and <\/span>piercing <\/span>whistles <\/span>intended <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>sole <\/span>enjoyment of <\/span>their <\/span>highly <\/span>energized, <\/span>young<\/span>er<\/span> <\/span>listener<\/span>. Th<\/span>at <\/span>also meant <\/span>slightly off-c<\/span>olor <\/span>jokes<\/span> <\/span>and <\/span>of course <\/span>non-stop<\/span> talk<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>with <\/span>plenty of rock and roll music<\/span> in between<\/span>. <\/span>Many <\/span>listene<\/span>rs<\/span> <\/span>t<\/span>urned <\/span>to <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>stations<\/span> <\/span>to <\/span>escap<\/span>e<\/span> their <\/span>boring <\/span>daily <\/span>routines <\/span>while o<\/span>thers <\/span>simply enjoyed it<\/span>s <\/span>p<\/span>ersonalized<\/span> form of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>e<\/span>ntertainment<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>In fact, m<\/span>any <\/span>young people established a <\/span>close <\/span>bond<\/span> with other<\/span> <\/span>teens<\/span>,<\/span> both <\/span>far <\/span>and near<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>who <\/span>listen<\/span>ed<\/span> to th<\/span>os<\/span>e same s<\/span>tations<\/span>. <\/span>Ask nearly any<\/span>one <\/span>who was a teen<\/span>ager<\/span> <\/span>or young adult during <\/span>the <\/span>late <\/span>19<\/span>50s <\/span>or early <\/span>19<\/span>60s what <\/span>his or hers <\/span>favorite <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>station <\/span>was<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>and <\/span>they will <\/span>not only <\/span>yell out the <\/span>call letters; but also, sing <\/span>its <\/span>jingles <\/span>or <\/span>mimic <\/span>their <\/span>favorite <\/span>DJs<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>This <\/span>experience <\/span>was <\/span>magnified <\/span>even <\/span>further <\/span>by 50,000 watts <\/span>giants <\/span>like WABC, WBZ, WSB, <\/span>WLS, WLW and KYW. Their <\/span>clear <\/span>signals <\/span>at night <\/span>extended <\/span>over <\/span>much of the <\/span>U.S.<\/span> and Canada.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Many kids <\/span>living <\/span>in <\/span>states like <\/span>Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia and New York <\/span>forged <\/span>a close <\/span>bond<\/span> <\/span>as <\/span>they listened to the <\/span>fun <\/span>sounds <\/span>emanating <\/span>from <\/span>the <\/span>greatest<\/span> <\/span>disc jockeys <\/span>of the <\/span>era<\/span>. They included <\/span>the likes of <\/span>Bruce Bradley, Cousin Brucie, <\/span>Jay Law<\/span>r<\/span>ence<\/span>, <\/span>Robert E. Lee<\/span> <\/span>and <\/span>Joey Reynolds<\/span>,<\/span> to name <\/span>but <\/span>a few<\/span>.<\/span> The same <\/span>held <\/span>true in <\/span>the West <\/span>where Tom Donahue, Jimmy O\u2019Neill and Real Dan Steele held court<\/span> regular<\/span>ly<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Top 40<\/span> <\/span>program<\/span> coordinators more and more <\/span>catered to th<\/span>eir many <\/span>devoted <\/span>fans <\/span>who <\/span>depended on them<\/span> for the <\/span>very <\/span>best in <\/span>radio <\/span>broadcasting<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Of course, c<\/span>ertain <\/span>stations stood <\/span>out <\/span>among <\/span>the <\/span>crowd<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Who can forget <\/span>Top 40 leaders such as <\/span>W<\/span>MEX<\/span>–<\/span>Boston<\/span>,<\/span> WABC<\/span>-New York, WFIL-<\/span>Philadelphia, WQXI<\/span>–<\/span>Atlanta<\/span>, <\/span>WNOE<\/span>–<\/span>New Orleans<\/span>, <\/span>WLS<\/span>–<\/span>Chicago, KIMN<\/span>–<\/span>Denver, KJR<\/span>-Seattle, KFRC-<\/span>San <\/span>Francisco and KHJ-<\/span>Los <\/span>Angeles?<\/span> However, there were <\/span>many <\/span>other<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>in <\/span>smaller <\/span>markets <\/span>that <\/span>left <\/span>their <\/span>indelible <\/span>mark<\/span>. WKBW<\/span>–<\/span>Buffalo, KXOK<\/span>–<\/span>St. Louis, WHB<\/span>–<\/span>Kansas City and <\/span>KOY-<\/span>Phoenix<\/span> fi<\/span>t<\/span>t<\/span>ed<\/span> into<\/span> <\/span>tha<\/span>t<\/span> <\/span>latter <\/span>category<\/span>. <\/span>Of all those <\/span>mid-<\/span>sized<\/span> <\/span>market<\/span>s, Cleveland<\/span>, OH <\/span>has <\/span>been <\/span>largely<\/span> <\/span>overlooked <\/span>by <\/span>many <\/span>research<\/span>ers<\/span> in this field<\/span>.<\/span> Th<\/span>at<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>eems<\/span> <\/span>somewhat <\/span>surprising <\/span>since <\/span>that <\/span>city<\/span> <\/span>pro<\/span>duced some <\/span>very <\/span>influential <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>stations<\/span>, <\/span>important<\/span> <\/span>broadcasting icons <\/span>a<\/span>nd<\/span> some of the<\/span> <\/span>greatest rock <\/span>and roll <\/span>bands<\/span> this nation ha<\/span>d<\/span> <\/span>ever <\/span>seen<\/span>. <\/span>Also, d<\/span>on\u2019t forget that <\/span>Cleveland is<\/span> <\/span>the <\/span>home <\/span>of <\/span>the Rock and Roll <\/span>Hall of Fame and <\/span>Museum.<\/span><\/p>\n

KYW-Cleveland <\/span>remained <\/span>one of this country\u2019s <\/span>most <\/span>admired <\/span>radio broadcasters <\/span>for <\/span>over <\/span>nine <\/span>years. Its <\/span>highly <\/span>professional <\/span>managers, fun <\/span>lovin<\/span> <\/span>disk jockeys and top notched <\/span>technicians <\/span>were <\/span>very <\/span>impressive <\/span>examples <\/span>of how efficient<\/span> <\/span>AM <\/span>outlets <\/span>should <\/span>have <\/span>operate<\/span>d<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>As <\/span>we <\/span>saw earlier<\/span>, <\/span>the <\/span>different <\/span>managers <\/span>at <\/span>KY-<\/span>11<\/span> <\/span>did not <\/span>automatically <\/span>embrace <\/span>the <\/span>new <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>craze<\/span> <\/span>that was sweeping the nation in <\/span>the late <\/span>\u2018<\/span>50s<\/span>. <\/span>In fact, <\/span>W<\/span>B<\/span>C<\/span> <\/span>eased into it<\/span> gradually<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>It had every reason to proceed <\/span>with c<\/span>aution<\/span>. <\/span>T<\/span>hat proved to be a very wise move <\/span>given the<\/span> occasional <\/span>cultural and racial <\/span>f<\/span>lare <\/span>ups <\/span>that occurred in that largely blue collar community. That being said, its shrewd programmers knew that <\/span>eventually <\/span>their<\/span> station would have to <\/span>join <\/span>the <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>bandwagon<\/span> and t<\/span>hey were <\/span>entirely <\/span>right<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, <\/span>a host of <\/span>internal and external business pressures made <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>successful <\/span>transformation <\/span>from a <\/span>mid<\/span>dle<\/span>–<\/span>of<\/span>–<\/span>the<\/span>–<\/span>r<\/span>oad<\/span> music, news and talk <\/span>station <\/span>to <\/span>a <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>contend<\/span>er <\/span>slower than <\/span>one <\/span>might have <\/span>initially <\/span>expected<\/span>. <\/span>Like a <\/span>mid<\/span>dle weight boxing contender<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>it <\/span>had to<\/span> <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>prove its worth in the <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>ring<\/span> before it could take the lead<\/span>. W<\/span>estinghouse\u2019s <\/span>seemingly <\/span>n<\/span>ever ending <\/span>legal <\/span>entanglements<\/span> <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span>, <\/span>the <\/span>Philco <\/span>Corporation <\/span>and RKO-General <\/span>throughout <\/span>the late \u2018<\/span>50s and early <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s<\/span> did not <\/span>expedite this process<\/span>. <\/span>Given what <\/span>transpired <\/span>over those <\/span>critical <\/span>years<\/span>, h<\/span>ow could <\/span>th<\/span>e<\/span> result<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>have <\/span>been <\/span>much <\/span>different<\/span>? <\/span>As <\/span>we <\/span>s<\/span>aw repeatedly<\/span>, the <\/span>NBC-<\/span>W<\/span>BC <\/span>exchange <\/span>in <\/span>\u2018<\/span>56 <\/span>was <\/span>anything but <\/span>smooth<\/span>. <\/span>As was pointed ou<\/span>t<\/span> throughout this writing, l<\/span>egal <\/span>problems <\/span>beset <\/span>the whole thing <\/span>from the <\/span>very <\/span>beginning <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>t<\/span>ri<\/span>e<\/span>d <\/span>to <\/span>secure <\/span>blanket<\/span>ed<\/span> television coverage <\/span>from <\/span>New York<\/span> <\/span>City <\/span>to Washington, D.C.\u00a0<\/span>For that to <\/span>occur<\/span>, NBC <\/span>had to <\/span>own <\/span>and operate <\/span>one <\/span>of <\/span>Phil<\/span>ly\u2019s prime <\/span>television <\/span>stations<\/span>. <\/span>Its Bo<\/span>ard<\/span> of Directors<\/span> <\/span>considered several <\/span>o<\/span>ptions <\/span>before <\/span>endorsing <\/span>a <\/span>station <\/span>swap <\/span>between <\/span>WTAM in <\/span>Cleveland <\/span>and <\/span>KYW in <\/span>Philadelphia<\/span>.<\/span> Th<\/span>e FCC <\/span>finally <\/span>approved <\/span>the <\/span>exchange <\/span>in <\/span>January 19<\/span>56.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Q<\/span>uestionable <\/span>business <\/span>ethics <\/span>a<\/span>nd <\/span>thorny <\/span>legal issues <\/span>pertaining <\/span>to <\/span>NBC <\/span>business practices <\/span>greatly <\/span>concerned <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>U.S. <\/span>D<\/span>epartment of <\/span>J<\/span>ustice<\/span> <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>U.S. <\/span>3<\/span><\/span>rd<\/span><\/span> District Court<\/span> <\/span>in Philadelphia<\/span>. <\/span>The <\/span>discovery <\/span>that <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> <\/span>had<\/span> coerced <\/span>the <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> in<\/span>to <\/span>accepting th<\/span>at <\/span>trade <\/span>forc<\/span>ed <\/span>the feds <\/span>to <\/span>issu<\/span>e<\/span> a <\/span>cease <\/span>and decease <\/span>order against NBC<\/span> in <\/span>\u2018<\/span>59<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Among other things, the<\/span> <\/span>DOJ <\/span>consent decree<\/span> <\/span>demanded that <\/span>RCA-<\/span>NBC <\/span>divest itself of <\/span>its <\/span>Phil<\/span>adelphia <\/span>television <\/span>holding <\/span>no later than <\/span>December <\/span>31, <\/span>19<\/span>62. <\/span>Additional<\/span> <\/span>pressure <\/span>leveraged on NBC <\/span>by <\/span>the <\/span>Philco <\/span>Corporation <\/span>in an <\/span>attempt to snatch <\/span>the WRCV<\/span>-Philadelphia <\/span>license<\/span> <\/span>out of the hands of <\/span>the <\/span>N<\/span>ational <\/span>B<\/span>roadcasting <\/span>C<\/span>ompany<\/span> <\/span>resulted in <\/span>a <\/span>lengthy <\/span>court <\/span>battle <\/span>that pitted <\/span>the legal <\/span>genius<\/span> and financial <\/span>resources<\/span> of <\/span>both <\/span>parties against the other<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>F<\/span>urther <\/span>legal <\/span>complication<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>surfaced <\/span>in <\/span>the fading months of <\/span>19<\/span>60 <\/span>when <\/span>RKO<\/span>-General<\/span> <\/span>approached <\/span>the <\/span>FCC <\/span>to approve a similar <\/span>NBC <\/span>station <\/span>trade<\/span>. T<\/span>hat <\/span>exchange <\/span>would have <\/span>affect<\/span>ed <\/span>major <\/span>radio and television <\/span>stations <\/span>in<\/span> both<\/span> <\/span>B<\/span>oston and Philadelphia.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

After much <\/span>legal <\/span>wrangling, t<\/span>he<\/span> <\/span>feds <\/span>f<\/span>inally <\/span>denied the <\/span>RKO petition <\/span>claiming <\/span>that <\/span>it <\/span>would not serve the <\/span>public<\/span>\u2019s<\/span> <\/span>interests<\/span>. Meanwhile<\/span>, the <\/span>\u2018<\/span>56 <\/span>exchange <\/span>received even greater scrutiny <\/span>b<\/span>y <\/span>the <\/span>court<\/span>s<\/span>. E<\/span>vidence <\/span>increasingly <\/span>revealed <\/span>that <\/span>NBC<\/span> had <\/span>knowingly<\/span> and <\/span>will<\/span>ing<\/span> <\/span>threaten<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>to pull <\/span>its <\/span>affiliation <\/span>from <\/span>two <\/span>Group <\/span>W<\/span> <\/span>television <\/span>stations<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>one <\/span>in <\/span>Boston and <\/span>the other in <\/span>San Francisco<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>if <\/span>th<\/span>at<\/span> deal <\/span>failed to materialize<\/span>. <\/span>Th<\/span>at<\/span> network\u2019s <\/span>wrongdoing coupled <\/span>with other potentially damaging evidence of gross misconduct <\/span>by <\/span>RCA-NBC directed <\/span>the <\/span>feds <\/span>in <\/span>the summer of <\/span>1964 <\/span>to <\/span>do something it rarely did <\/span>rev<\/span>erse <\/span>th<\/span>eir <\/span>earlier <\/span>consent<\/span> <\/span>to the <\/span>\u201956 <\/span>swap<\/span>. The<\/span> feds <\/span>subsequently <\/span>ordered b<\/span>oth <\/span>networks <\/span>to return th<\/span>eir <\/span>stations to their <\/span>original c<\/span>i<\/span>ties<\/span>. <\/span>Th<\/span>at<\/span> <\/span>resulted in <\/span>KYW-Cleveland<\/span> <\/span>going <\/span>back <\/span>to Phil<\/span>adelphia <\/span>to become <\/span>that city\u2019s <\/span>all-news <\/span>radio <\/span>station<\/span> while WRCV-Philadelphia <\/span>returned <\/span>to Cleveland <\/span>as WKYC <\/span>to assume its <\/span>new <\/span>role <\/span>as <\/span>t<\/span>hat city\u2019s <\/span>new <\/span>prime <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>outlet<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

All that <\/span>legal <\/span>uproar <\/span>distracted Westinghouse<\/span> from following through with its <\/span>prim<\/span>e responsibility <\/span>namely <\/span>operat<\/span>ing <\/span>a <\/span>successful <\/span>AM<\/span>-FM station and <\/span>a <\/span>local <\/span>television outlet <\/span>in <\/span>Cleveland<\/span>. <\/span>Accomplishing that challenging business task <\/span>w<\/span>as <\/span>certainly <\/span>a no brainer for <\/span>Group <\/span>W<\/span> <\/span>si<\/span>nce th<\/span>at <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>company <\/span>had <\/span>a long history of <\/span>success<\/span> in that regard<\/span>. It was the <\/span>unnerving <\/span>legal situation<\/span> occurring<\/span> <\/span>from <\/span>19<\/span>56 <\/span>to 1965 <\/span>that made <\/span>what would have <\/span>normally <\/span>been a rel<\/span>atively simple <\/span>task <\/span>into a<\/span>n unsightly <\/span>mess<\/span>. <\/span>D<\/span>uring <\/span>its <\/span>first months of <\/span>broadcasting in Cleveland<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>KYW <\/span>managers <\/span>wisely <\/span>follow<\/span>ed<\/span> the same <\/span>play book developed by its NBC <\/span>forerunner <\/span>at<\/span> WTAM. KYW\u2019s <\/span>growing reliance on <\/span>mid<\/span>dle<\/span>–<\/span>of<\/span>–<\/span>the<\/span>–<\/span>road <\/span>music<\/span> complemented by<\/span> <\/span>top <\/span>quality newscasts, <\/span>first class <\/span>talk shows and <\/span>very <\/span>worthwhile <\/span>community<\/span> <\/span>shows<\/span> <\/span>were reminiscent of<\/span> its predecessor<\/span>. However, <\/span>that w<\/span>ould <\/span>soon <\/span>change<\/span> considerably<\/span>. B<\/span>y <\/span>mid-<\/span>\u2018<\/span>5<\/span>7<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>Cleveland\u2019s <\/span>KYW-Radio <\/span>had <\/span>started <\/span>to <\/span>break <\/span>away from <\/span>the <\/span>accepted <\/span>broadcasting<\/span> <\/span>norm<\/span>s<\/span>.<\/span> I<\/span>n fact, i<\/span>t<\/span> <\/span>debuted <\/span>more<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>in-depth<\/span> <\/span>talk shows and highly sophisticated jazz programming as well as frequent newscasts and larger and larger doses of rock and roll music. It was all carefully orchestrated as listeners became acquainted with the exciting new sounds emanating out of 1100 on your AM dial. Its insightful program planners eagerly promoted such things as \u201ccooler\u201d DJs as a new and perhaps better way in which to get the message across to their listeners. Those radio personalities also prided themselves on offering a wide range of easy-to-win, fun contests. That tactic worked very well from the very first day of broadcasting.<\/span><\/p>\n

I<\/span>mproved <\/span>local <\/span>rating<\/span>s <\/span>was <\/span>a testimony to <\/span>that outlet\u2019s <\/span>growing <\/span>importance<\/span> in the Greater Cleveland area<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0On the <\/span>flip <\/span>side<\/span> of the dial<\/span>, <\/span>its <\/span>popular <\/span>FM <\/span>station <\/span>at <\/span>105.7 <\/span>relied less <\/span>and less <\/span>on <\/span>simulcasts<\/span> <\/span>as it <\/span>furnish<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>more <\/span>and more <\/span>top quality <\/span>c<\/span>lassical <\/span>music <\/span>shows <\/span>accompanied by <\/span>a multitude of <\/span>s<\/span>timulating <\/span>conversations <\/span>dedicated to <\/span>numerous <\/span>arts-<\/span>related <\/span>topics<\/span>. I<\/span>n a <\/span>very <\/span>spirited <\/span>move <\/span>intended <\/span>to <\/span>promote <\/span>even <\/span>high<\/span>er <\/span>profit<\/span>s<\/span>, <\/span>KYW<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>savvy <\/span>program<\/span>mers <\/span>began <\/span>adding <\/span>a <\/span>great deal <\/span>more <\/span>rock and roll<\/span> music<\/span> to their <\/span>AM <\/span>playlist<\/span>. That <\/span>new<\/span>ly<\/span> <\/span>revised <\/span>format c<\/span>ame at <\/span>a cost<\/span> to more traditional listeners<\/span>. The<\/span> station <\/span>increasingly downplayed such things as the <\/span>traditional <\/span>big band <\/span>sound<\/span>s<\/span>;<\/span> <\/span>favorite <\/span>Sinatra-like <\/span>crooners <\/span>and <\/span>fantastic <\/span>Broadway <\/span>show <\/span>tunes.<\/span> <\/span>I<\/span>n its wake, <\/span>fast-talking jocks <\/span>complemented by <\/span>special<\/span>ly<\/span>–<\/span>attuned <\/span>program<\/span>ming<\/span> <\/span>began to <\/span>win the day<\/span>. <\/span>Community leaders <\/span>in larger and larger numbers began publicly to <\/span>thank KYW<\/span>-Radio <\/span>for promot<\/span>ing <\/span>such things as better <\/span>driving<\/span> <\/span>habits<\/span> <\/span>through <\/span>its <\/span>weekly <\/span>broadcasts <\/span>of <\/span>traffic court<\/span>. I<\/span>ts commitment to Cleveland <\/span>also <\/span>resulted in <\/span>the <\/span>decidedly <\/span>successful <\/span>\u201cKYW <\/span>Road Show<\/span>.\u201d <\/span>Considered <\/span>a prime <\/span>training ground for future entertainers<\/span>, <\/span>this <\/span>show donated <\/span>most of <\/span>its proceeds to <\/span>local <\/span>charit<\/span>ies<\/span>. <\/span>Th<\/span>at proud radio <\/span>outlet <\/span>also <\/span>broadcast<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>the <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse<\/span> Broadcasting Company<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s <\/span>much <\/span>acclaimed <\/span>nightly newscast<\/span> while <\/span>simultaneously <\/span>e<\/span>xpanding <\/span>its own<\/span> <\/span>prize winning <\/span>newscasts<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

More and more t<\/span>he latest <\/span>folk tunes a<\/span>nd <\/span>rock and roll<\/span> music <\/span>dominated <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>broadcasting day in <\/span>the <\/span>early <\/span>19<\/span>60s<\/span>. <\/span>It also <\/span>regularly <\/span>sponsored <\/span>exciting <\/span>record hops <\/span>intended <\/span>for <\/span>teenagers and young adults. <\/span>As <\/span>was <\/span>pointed out earlier, <\/span>its <\/span>astute <\/span>officials <\/span>soon <\/span>re<\/span>alized <\/span>that the <\/span>immediate <\/span>future <\/span>of AM radio <\/span>definitely <\/span>be<\/span>long<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>to <\/span>Top 40<\/span> <\/span>programming and that this powerhouse <\/span>had <\/span>better <\/span>join <\/span>that <\/span>movement<\/span> quickly<\/span>. <\/span>The <\/span>W<\/span>estinghouse Company\u2019s <\/span>B<\/span>oard of <\/span>Directors <\/span>immediately <\/span>re<\/span>acted <\/span>to <\/span>mounting <\/span>pressure <\/span>to convert <\/span>KYW-AM from a comfortable, middle-of-the-road radio outlet <\/span>to <\/span>a<\/span>n exciting<\/span> <\/span>Top 40 <\/span>contender ASAP. <\/span>It did just that in the autumn of \u201963 when <\/span>the Westinghouse board <\/span>appoint<\/span>ed<\/span> <\/span>one of <\/span>that network\u2019s brightest stars <\/span>KEX<\/span>-Radio<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>Ken Draper <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>new<\/span>est <\/span>KYW <\/span>P<\/span>rogram <\/span>D<\/span>irector. <\/span>He <\/span>rapidly<\/span> <\/span>transformed <\/span>th<\/span>at <\/span>mid<\/span>dle-<\/span>of<\/span>–<\/span>the<\/span>–<\/span>road <\/span>music <\/span>station <\/span>into <\/span>Northeast Ohio<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>biggest <\/span>rock and <\/span>station<\/span> <\/span>now known as <\/span>KY<\/span>–<\/span>11<\/span>. T<\/span>hose <\/span>i<\/span>nspiring business <\/span>d<\/span>evelopment<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>were not <\/span>something new for <\/span>this <\/span>insightful <\/span>station<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>After all, <\/span>its <\/span>leaders<\/span>hip <\/span>success<\/span>es <\/span>dat<\/span>ed<\/span> back to <\/span>its <\/span>earliest <\/span>broadcasting <\/span>days in <\/span>Chicago<\/span>. Understanding <\/span>how both <\/span>WBC <\/span>and <\/span>KYW operat<\/span>ed n<\/span>ot only <\/span>enabled <\/span>Ken <\/span>Draper to gain the <\/span>full <\/span>trust of his <\/span>many <\/span>colleagues<\/span> within months<\/span> of his arrival<\/span>; but also, <\/span>encouraged <\/span>him to <\/span>pursue<\/span> other<\/span>, <\/span>more <\/span>radical <\/span>program <\/span>changes <\/span>than w<\/span>ere <\/span>first <\/span>proposed<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>A<\/span> shoe-in as a <\/span>major <\/span>Midwest <\/span>Top 40<\/span> station<\/span>,<\/span> 11<\/span>00 AM<\/span> <\/span>quickly <\/span>became <\/span>Cleveland\u2019s number one rock and roll<\/span> <\/span>outlet<\/span>. <\/span>That <\/span>quick turna<\/span>bout in <\/span>its <\/span>fortunes <\/span>left <\/span>many of <\/span>its <\/span>local <\/span>rivals <\/span>speechless<\/span>.<\/span> H<\/span>ad <\/span>that popular station <\/span>remain<\/span>e<\/span>d <\/span>in Cleveland<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>in all <\/span>probability, <\/span>it would have <\/span>continued <\/span>to <\/span>serve as <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>pacesetter<\/span>. Its <\/span>seeds for <\/span>future <\/span>greatness <\/span>had been <\/span>firmly <\/span>planted <\/span>with<\/span>in Clevelan<\/span>d<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>very <\/span>fertile<\/span> soil <\/span>by the <\/span>late <\/span>\u2018<\/span>50s<\/span>. <\/span>That is why <\/span>many <\/span>prominent <\/span>radio personalities <\/span>wanted to <\/span>be <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>part of <\/span>i<\/span>t<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

However, <\/span>KYW <\/span>signified <\/span>much more <\/span>than <\/span>just <\/span>a <\/span>great <\/span>training <\/span>ground for <\/span>ambitious <\/span>disk jockeys <\/span>on the<\/span>ir<\/span> way up<\/span> the corporate ladder<\/span>. It <\/span>was <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>rewarding <\/span>experience for many jocks even if <\/span>the<\/span>ir<\/span> station\u2019s <\/span>managers<\/span> could be <\/span>difficult<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Most importantly<\/span> for st<\/span>ruggling <\/span>r<\/span>adio s<\/span>tations<\/span>, <\/span>KY-<\/span>11<\/span> <\/span>afforded <\/span>a<\/span> <\/span>workable <\/span>blueprint that <\/span>broadcast<\/span>ers could <\/span>easily <\/span>apply to almost any <\/span>competitive<\/span> <\/span>setting<\/span>. <\/span>In fact, l<\/span>arge and small <\/span>stations<\/span> <\/span>alike <\/span>frequently <\/span>drew upon <\/span>KYW\u2019s <\/span>vast <\/span>program<\/span>ming<\/span> content and <\/span>unique<\/span> delivery<\/span> <\/span>style<\/span> to <\/span>he<\/span>l<\/span>p <\/span>them<\/span> during difficult times<\/span>. <\/span><\/span>Fun <\/span>guy<\/span>s, <\/span>exciting <\/span>jingles and <\/span>promos<\/span>, <\/span>great <\/span>sounding <\/span>records<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>timely <\/span>news<\/span>casts<\/span> a<\/span>nd <\/span>the <\/span>very <\/span>b<\/span>est <\/span>in <\/span>sports<\/span> coverage<\/span>, traffic conditions <\/span>a<\/span>nd <\/span>up-to-the-minute <\/span>weather reports <\/span>distinguished <\/span>KYW<\/span>-Cleveland<\/span> from <\/span>the <\/span>emerging <\/span>pack<\/span>. In addition, <\/span>it<\/span>s <\/span>shrewd <\/span>management <\/span>encouraged <\/span>its <\/span>many <\/span>prime <\/span>broadcasters <\/span>to <\/span>bec<\/span>o<\/span>me <\/span>both <\/span>the<\/span> <\/span>eyes and ears<\/span> of their listeners<\/span>. <\/span>The <\/span>continued <\/span>financial <\/span>success <\/span>of <\/span>any major <\/span>U.S. <\/span>radio <\/span>outlet<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>during <\/span>the <\/span>uncertain <\/span>times of the <\/span>\u2018<\/span>50s and <\/span>\u2018<\/span>60s<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>rested <\/span>exclusively <\/span>on <\/span>achiev<\/span>ing <\/span>two <\/span>major <\/span>goals<\/span> repeatedly<\/span>. F<\/span>irst<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>it <\/span>had to maintain <\/span>an<\/span> <\/span>intimate relationship <\/span>with <\/span>its <\/span>many <\/span>loyal <\/span>fa<\/span>ns<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span>Second, <\/span>it <\/span>had to <\/span>consistently <\/span>broadcast <\/span>the <\/span>very <\/span>best in <\/span>music<\/span>, news<\/span>, sports<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>talk shows and <\/span>weather<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Those <\/span>business <\/span>practices that governed <\/span>the <\/span>not so distant <\/span>past <\/span>should not be lost to modern<\/span> br<\/span>o<\/span>a<\/span>dcasters <\/span>who are <\/span>forced to <\/span>meet the growing <\/span>challenges <\/span>posed by <\/span>the <\/span>abundance of <\/span>listening <\/span>options <\/span>available<\/span> in today\u2019s market<\/span>. Change<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>in broadcasting forms and styles m<\/span>ay be <\/span>good <\/span>especially <\/span>when <\/span>you<\/span>r <\/span>radio <\/span>station<\/span> <\/span>takes <\/span>a forceful <\/span>lead <\/span>when<\/span> it comes to using <\/span>them<\/span>. <\/span>Commercial radio <\/span>leaders <\/span>instantly<\/span> <\/span>knew that to be true<\/span> <\/span>s<\/span>even decades <\/span>ago<\/span>. <\/span>The<\/span>i<\/span>r reward <\/span>manifested <\/span>itself <\/span>repeatedly <\/span>in<\/span> large<\/span> <\/span>listening audience<\/span>s<\/span>, <\/span>soaring <\/span>revenues<\/span> and <\/span>minimum<\/span> overhead costs<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>F<\/span>rom Cleveland to Parma and from Rocky River to Akron<\/span>,<\/span> <\/span>11<\/span>00 AM<\/span> <\/span>was always there for you<\/span> day and night<\/span>. \u201cMy Baby Loves KYW, Yea, Yea, Yea,\u201d <\/span>but so <\/span>d<\/span>id <\/span>m<\/span>ost <\/span>of <\/span>Cleveland and <\/span>Northeast Ohio<\/span> <\/span>for <\/span>over <\/span>nine incredible years<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"menu_order":9,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-35","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":3,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/35","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/35\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":287,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/35\/revisions\/287"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/3"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/35\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=35"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=35"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu\/kyw-radio-cleveland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=35"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}