Although Joe De Nardo may have had a higher profile, Bob Kudzma was my favorite weatherman, serving as KDKA's on-air meteorologist for 34 years (1968-2002). and had them change the channel on their TV so he could see me on the TV show. Her soothing voice and soft music could be heard across the AM band after midnight almost anywhere in the country into the early 70s. Len | Richard Arthur | Jimmy Stewart - Acadmey Award Winning Actor Flickr/Insomnia Cured Here 3. Nellie King was his mild-mannered sidekick from 1967-1975. View an alternate. and "Who are the best female radio personalities?" Tupperware may be going out of business. She was with KDKA from 1962 until 1977. Resize: Live Streams. They moved WTAE FM sister station WHTX in 1983 and later worked at WMXP before ultimately returning to WTAE. It celebrates the Pittsburgh Arts. But Kirby was assigned to read the hard news stories while Flynn reported only the human interest items. Chedwick was on the air at WHOD-WAMO for 24 years until 1972 when he moved to KQV for a weekend show. World War II temporarily opened employment opportunities for women in radio, as the male staffs of the networks and local stations were siphoned off by the armed services. Tags radio history Radio at 100 Sybil Herrold Eunice Randall Bernardine Flynn Mary Margaret McBride. I remember her best for hosting Jr. High Quiz which aired on Sunday on WTAE from 1965-1982. 25,115 talking about this. 12/26/2016 at 12:45 PM, Posted by: Entertainment. I was just a young whippersnapper back then. In 1955, Sam Phillips (of Sun Records fame) opened WHER in Memphis. Currie was the lead sports announcer for KDKA in the 1970s, coming here from North Carolina where he was known as "The Mouth of the South." Minogue achieved early success with hits such as "Love and Kisses", "This is It", "Jump to the Beat" and "Baby Love", though by the release of her second album, her popularity as a singer had declined, leading her to make a name for herself with award-winning performances in musicals with Grease and also in Notre. She primarily acts on TV and a done a few films. Love Pittsburgh? Carol | The case ended in a mistrial and was front-page news in Rossi's adopted hometown of Pittsburgh and was widely covered as something of a cause clbre by syndicated television news programs. It wasn't even close. In 1943, NBC hired 10 young pagettes to supplement its depleted staff of Radio City pages. The Northern Irish TV/radio presenter, famous for shows such as Loose Women, became involved with cancer charities after her daughters death due to the disease. Donna Halper, whose written work has appeared in the pages of Radio World, played the hits at WMMS in Cleveland, where she was credited with discovering the rock band Rush in 1974. Marilyn Denis (born July 1, 1958) is a Canadian television and radio personality. August Franze | Doug Hoerth, Lynn Cullen,Dimitri,etc.\ A coloratura soprano, she performed opera, concert, and supper club singing. And I am 70 years old. She identified herself on the air with just her initials "J. E. K." View additional photos in the image gallery at the end of this story. I listened to his show as I got ready for school and still remember his creepy/comical ode to the "Slithery Dee". "Those were the days when our community was alive with. Jack Etzel (Etzel-At-Large) John Fedko (Fedko Zone) Peggy Finnegan Pete Flaherty Pete Flaherty, Loretta Lynn, Jack Wheeler Bill Flanagan (KDKA-TV reporter) Jack Fleming Debra Fox (WTAE-TV Reporter) Lanny Frattare John Garry & Larry O'Brien Walt Harper Bill Hinsman Dennis Holly (KDKA-TV Reporter) John Huck Dagny Hultgreen Mary Robb Jackson TIM RYAN | Joseph R. Lamonde. Mike Bowman | Posted by: (And with no cable channels back then their presence was even more ubiquitous.) Often mentioned his wife Gertrude. William David Dameshek (born June 11, 1970) is an American television writer and radio personality. She also spent time as a reporter before her most notable role, anchoring KDKA's 6 and 11 p.m. news slots. Often mentioned his wife Gertrude. August Wilson - Playwright/Two-Time Pulitzer Prize Winner Facebook/August Wilson Center 2. This prevents automated programs from posting comments. I have no idea what channel that was. Margaret Jane Pauley (born October 31, 1950) is an American broadcast journalist, television host, and author, active in news reporting since 1972. Elliots orchestra performed a live half hour show five nights a week on WCAE until 1951. Elista Mon-Fri: 10am to 2pm. In 2006, at the age of 88, he appeared on WFKB and was heard on WEDO in 2011. He is best known for being "the voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers". Phillips enjoyed hearing womens voices on the air, and he hired an all-female staff to run the station. Also, there was a 15 minute live show with 3 cowgirl singers. Bubba Show Mon-Fri: 5am to 10am. Through their broadcasts Pittsburgh radio stations were thelaunching point for the careers of many musicians. 04/08/2017 at 10:00 AM. The question was simple: Who is your all-time favorite Pittsburgh disc jockey? British actress Perdita Weeks is known for her role in the CBS reboot series Magnum P.I. . LOL, Posted by: News. To maintain suspense, they're presented here in reverse order. steelcityundergrou.. 1.3K 19K 4 episodes / week Avg Length 37 min Mike McKay | John Peel Old-school disc jockey. Featuring female radio DJs, talk show hosts, and more, this list has it all. Thomas Dolinay - archbishop. A legend, the Walter Cronkite of Pittsburgh. 18 hours ago He's still on the radio, now on WJAS, and I listen to his show whenever I visit my mother. Featuring female radio DJs, talk show hosts, and more, this list has it all. Posted by: After counting hundreds of responses, it's possible to craft an admittedly unscientific list of the city's top 10 favorite DJs. Ferrall's voice, which has been described as extremely raspy or gravelly, is enhanced by his over-the-top dimwitted persona; he described himself as "gnarly, irritating, annoying, old leather". Helluva an addiction. Mike Bowman | Diana Ross' Central Park Concert Disrupted by Thunderstorms, 4. 04/07/2017 at 02:53 PM. I used to watch some of these programs, and the names are very familiar. Tammy Bruce is a radio host and political commentator. Myron Sidney Kopelman (January 23, 1929 February 27, 2008), known professionally as Myron Cope, was an American sports journalist, radio personality, and sportscaster. Sister of American football player, Jason Taylor, she hosted radio shows at Barry University during her graduation in broadcast communication, before featuring in 790 AM The Ticket shows in Miami. Anchors (Evenings) Ken Rice Kristine Sorensen Kym Gable Royce Jones Meghan Schiller Anchors (Mornings) David Highfield Lindsay Ward John Shumway Anchors (Weekends) Briana Smith Erika Stanish. Personal Life : Parents, Family Read More Jennifer Antkowiak Age, Wiki, Married Husband KDKA Bio Family by Feb 6, 2023 He returned to WDVE in 2002 to host the evening shift, departing in 2006 for WRKZ-FM. Krenn rose from the ranks of stand-up comedians to become one of Pittsburgh's premier broadcast personalities. Bogut came to Pittsburgh in 1968, working for KDKA Radio. By 1922 Pittsburgh had four radio stations: KDKA, WCAE, WJAS, and KQV. When was this - in the 1980s, or earlier? He became afternoon drive host at WDVE in 1993 - the position from which he retired last year. And lest we forget Rege Cordic (Cordic & Company) who dominated the morning radio market on KDKA from 1954 to 1965. But, long before Hollywood rolled down its red carpet in the Burgh, Pittsburghers with stars in their eyes headed to Hollywood and to Broadway, looked toward the NFL, picked up their pens, and climbed the ladder to the top, becoming well-known in Pittsburgh and often internationally. Not very knowledgeable about sports, she lasted just two years. (This is not intended to be a comprehensive list, just the people who made a lasting impression with me.). She is also a radio presenter and hosts her own show. She is best known as the widow of magician Paul Daniels, with whom she often appeared on stage. Liz Kiley started her career at WLAV in Grand Rapids in 1976, and within three years had moved up the ranks to WABC in New York. S. Live music was performed by Pittsburgh musicians on regular daily broadcasts on Pittsburgh radio stations from the 1920s through the 1940s. He introduced the Beatles during their 1964 Civic Arena concert, according to Pittsburgh Music History. was one of his most famous sayings. WDSY-FM - Y108, Pittsburgh's New Hit Country. "Radio was not formatted and structured," Smith said. Trending. Pittsburgh Radio Personalities Recently retired from WDVE, longtime DJ Sean McDowell isn't sitting still. Rossi eventually was acquitted of attempted murder but pleaded no contest to felony aggravated assault. Posted by: I really enjoyed reading about each individual, all of whom I remember from my youth in the burgh. Rob | Bill Burns - anchor (1953-1989); died in 1997. Situated close to the airport, he groused about the planes' flight patterns that brought them over his house. EEO Report | He vied with KDKA's Clark Race as the city's most popular DJ. Janice McLaughlin - Catholic nun and human rights activist. I have nothing against a womans announcing, but really do believe that unless a woman has the qualifications known as showmans instinct, it really does become monotonous., Another station executive from Pittsburgh wrote, I would permit few women lecturers to appear [on the radio]. Lucy Knepp | And Frothingslosh! Unfortunately, his reputation was tarnished by a state lottery scandal in the 1980s. Thanks again. Porky role in the popularizing R&B has been recognized by the Rock Hall of Fame. Sports . Lara Logan is a South African radio and television journalist. He's now 77 (as of 2020). As the pioneering world leader in broadcast radio Pittsburgh's Westinghouse Electric established the first commercial radiostations and sold the first home radio receivers. KDKA-TV - On-air Staff - Notable Former On-air Staff Notable Former On-air Staff Susan Barnett - anchor (1999-2003); now at KYW in Philadelphia. He died in 1990 at the age of 77. Hi Richard, I'm glad you found my blog - and thank you for the link to yours. google_color_text="333333"; Avuncular KDKA radio personality who was lovingly called "Uncle Ed". In the 1920s KDKA radio, the world's first commercial radio station, pioneered the broadcasting of live classical music andjazz withhistoric first broadcasts. Taylor Swift - Fifteen. Email him at [emailprotected]. 05/30/2016 at 12:10 PM. 'This is KDKA Radio, Pittsburgh.' . Additionally, women were frequently hired as program managers, responsible for booking the live entertainment that filled their stations airwaves, and they often came before the microphone to introduce the entertainers. Great Stuff. I was with my grandmother shopping at the Miracle Mile Shopping Center across the William Penn Hiway. List of famous female radio personalities, featuring bios and photos, when available. 09/07/2017 at 01:21 PM, I WAS ON CAPN JIMS POPEYE SHOW, DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE REMEMBERS THAT SHOW-----ALSO REMEMBER The final curtain came down Sunday on New York's production of "The Phantom of the Opera," ending Broadway's longest-running show with thunderous standing ovations, champagne toasts and gold and silver confetti bursting from its famous chandelier. Much of it has to do with the content and talent provided by its on-air personalities. He was previously a news anchor and journalist at "Fox News Headlines 24/7." Before Fox, Battle served as Program Director and on-air personality for sister station 105.7 The Fan (WJZ-FM) in Baltimore. Pittsburghwas the driving. Update my browser now, Home Music. Your comment could not be posted. For me he wore out his welcome rather quickly. She then went on to achieve popularity as a TV and radio personality. Here, in alphabetical order, are the names and faces from that era that I remember best. Aside from his hosting duties, he appeared as a panelist/celebrity guest on many other game shows, including regular appearances on I've Got a Secret and To Tell the Truth. Mike Bowman | Paul Hearn | Star 99.7Copyright 2023 Saga Communications, Inc. 01/12/2018 at 05:16 AM. Most famous for a Saturday afternoon bowling show in the 1960s on WTAE (Championship Bowling) and Bowling for Dollars in the 1970s. 09/07/2017 at 11:24 AM, Hi Rob, I'm 99% certain that was his name. The Little Symphony performed classical music on KDKA and the NBC radio networkfrom 1922 into the late 1940s. Bernie hosted 3 weekly music shows that featured Pittsburgh musicians such as the Kinder Sisters, and singer John Kirby. He now works at a station in Virginia. At Homesteads newly launched station WHOD in 1948. ncluding Pittsburgh acts like the Skyliners, the Marcels, the Four Coins, and the Del Vikings. Over the years Lara Logan has worked for popular news channels like CBS News and Fox Nation. Cardinal Adam Maida - Emeritus Archbishop of Detroit. Paul did have more and Larry on his show. He died in 1997 at the age of 84. //-->. Contests & Rules | Some images copyright AP, Clipart.com 16 hours ago Curly died young. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Posted by: Stan, who joined the network in 1992 (KBL), was the co-host of the long running SportsBeat show for 18 years, and is currently the primary host on Pirates and Penguins pre-game shows on AT&T SportsNet. Women and Radio: Airing Differences, edited by Caroline Mitchell, Fireside Politics: Radio and Political Culture in the United States, 1920-1940, by Douglas B. Craig, Remembering the LadiesA Salute to the Women of Early Radio, by Donna L. Halper, Popular Communications, January 1999, The Story of WHER, Americas Pioneering, First All-Woman Radio Station (1955), www.openculture.com, Dolly Holiday A Dreamy Soothing Voice in the Night, www.rumormillnews, Mary Margaret McBride, American Journalist and Broadcaster, by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Wikipedia: History of Radio Disc Jockeys, John Schneider has spent his career in broadcast technology development and sales, and is a lifelong radio history researcher. Posted by: April 12, 2023. Joy Allison Taylor (born January 17, 1987) is an American radio personality and television host for Fox Sports 1. Everything you need to know about the Steelers Monday through Friday. February 11, 2020 Sean Collier, Photos by Becky Thurner Braddock Sean McDowell With time and freedom, longtime DJ Sean McDowell can't get off the road. KDKA sparked a nationwide radio boom. 02/22/2017 at 04:08 PM. 12/07/2016 at 10:49 AM. All the sports talk, interviews, game coverage and podcasts from the top personalities in sports. WDVE-FM took over the role of promoting Pittsburgh musiciansin the late 1970s as KDKA andother AMstations switched from music formats to news and talk radio formats. degree and Ingraham went on to work as a judicial clerk in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York and then for United States Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Sean McDowell (WYDD, WYTK, WRRK, WDVE). ", Wendy Joan Williams Hunter (born July 18, 1964) is an American television and radio presenter, businesswoman, writer, actress, fashion designer, and media personality. Dusty (played guitar), Gay (played that BIG bass "fiddle") and a 3rd who I can't remember her name. Kelly Mon-Fri: 2pm to 7pm. in Entertainment. Anybody remember Marty Wolfson (I think that was his name) who had a kids program where he told stories and drew the story on a large easel. The female radio personalities of note are listed by their level of prominence, and you can sort by column, like date of birth or birthplace. What a nice run down of TV and Radio personalities! He moved to WTAE in 1972 and spent seven years there before moving to San Diego. The man known as "Pork the Tork," "The Daddio of the Raddio" and "The Platter Pushin' Papa" is by far Pittsburgh's all-time favorite DJ, judging from the response to the Patch call-out. He had already clocked many years with the station when I listened to him give the weather report in the morning while I was getting ready for school. Uprising in Soweto Gains Worldwide Attention, 2. Senators and her father served as an 11-term member of Congress, the final, Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen (July 26, 1895 August 27, 1964) was an American vaudevillian and comedienne who became internationally famous as the zany partner and comic foil of husband George Burns, her straight man appearing with her on radio, television and film as the duo Burns and Allen. Chuck Brinkman (KQV, WTAE, WFFM-WMYG). He died in the summer of 2018 at the age of 87. Minogue rose to prominence in the early 1980s for her roles in the Australian television talent show Young Talent Time and the soap opera Home and Away, before beginning her career as a pop singer in the early 1990s. Before the dawn of broadcasting, women were frequently hired as wireless operators, and so it was not a surprise that womens voices were heard as announcers and program hosts in the early days of broadcast radio. One of the original pirate radio DJ's on Radio London, Peel managed to infiltrate the establishment when the BBC just couldn't ignore the pirate radio scene anymore and wanted to earn some street cred, so they gave him his own show on then-new BBC Radio 1 in 1967. Search. He died in 1985 at the age of 68. . (Update: WJAS changed to a Talk format in August 2014 and dropped Cardille as well as Jack Bogut; sadly, Cardille passed away in the summer of 2016.). Kristine Sorensen celebrating 20 years at KDKA-TV. (Although this show and Adventure Time had a live studio audience of kids I never had a desire to be on either.) Often wondered if those tapes exist. View four more historical photos in the image gallery below. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.). He had already clocked many years with the station when I listened to him give the weather report in the morning while I was getting ready for school. Broadcasters complained that the tone quality of early receivers and speakers made womens higher-pitched voices sound shrill and dissonant; but this prejudice remained even as higher-fidelity receivers became available in the early 1930s. Sadly, she died of lung cancer in 2001 at the age of 49. An alumnus of the Courtauld Institute of Art, she always knew she wanted to be an actress. I got a lot work done around the house listening to them. I will always remember my grandfather on the back porch listening to "my Pirates" and Bob Prince. This prejudice against female announcers was expressed by station managers of the day. 09/19/2017 at 05:39 PM. Dannii Minogue (born 20 October 1971) is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, model, dancer, fashion designer, television presenter and talent competition judge. I wrote to him for advice about having a career as a meteorologist and he replied. William Lawrence Francis Cullen (February 18, 1920 July 7, 1990) was an American radio and television personality whose career spanned five decades. It's been corrected. Please enable JavaScript if you would like to comment on this blog. Known as one of the original shock-jocks, Greene was a trailblazer of talk radio; and his influence was such that he has been credited with quashing the riots in Washington, D.C . WCAE and WJAS both featured. I was on Jr. High Quiz in March of 1972. Local Brand Advisor in Pittsburgh offers services! I yelled and waved and said "hello Moe". Over the years several Pittsburgh radio personalities and program directors played a key role in launching the careers of Pittsburgh musicians. This is only a preview. Before the quiz show she was known for hosting the Ricki & Copper Show, which starred her dog Copper. He began at KDKA as the staff organist in 1935 and later became the lead of the KDKA orchestra. For her contributions to the television industry, Gracie Allen was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6672 Hollywood Boulevard, while she and Burns were inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1988. His following from Chiller Theater got "Chilly Billy" a small role in Night of the Living Dead (filmed north of Pittsburgh). John Schneider is a lifetime radio historian, the author of two books and dozens of articles on the subject, and a Fellow of the California Historical Radio Society. Popular Pittsburgh TV Reporter Releases Book, This Is How Many World War II Veterans Live In Pennsylvania, PA County Wants To Make Its Own Gun Laws After Recent Court Defeat. WNYC is America's most listened-to public radio station and the producer of award-winning programs and podcasts like Radiolab, On the Media, and The Brian Lehrer Show. As a result, by 1930 womens voices had virtually disappeared from the airwaves, except for mid-afternoon programs aimed at the housewife and discussing such banal topics as cooking, fashion and beauty tips. You might also be interested in famous male radio personalities and the funniest radio morning shows. Rodney KingVerdict Sparks Deadly Riots in LA. (It was a proud day in our neighborhood when our neighbor from across the street appeared on the show and won $500.) Terry Lee (WESA, WZUM, WARO, WMCK, WIXZ). He was probably the market's most popular DJ, on, Avuncular KDKA radio personality who was lovingly called "Uncle Ed". He died in 2010 at the age of 82. I also recall that he used to promote Pappin's restaurant. Lee Arthur died, from a brain tumor, in the same year. George Rapp - founder of the religious . Octogenarian Gloria Hunniford is still young at heart and wishes to get a tattoo after getting her COVID-19 vaccine. 02/11/2018 at 11:38 PM, I enjoyed your site and memories of Pittsburgh. Honorees include famous . Her signature blonde coif gave her a very glamorous persona. Introduction : Heather Abraham is an award-winning journalist & news presenter, who worked for many years with KDKA-TV CBS Pittsburgh. Two notables I'd add: Ed and Wendy King. She stayed on when the format was abandoned 18 months later, and gained popularity as The Nightbird. Her overnight show drew an estimated audience of 78,000, and she was chosen by Billboard Magazine in 1976 as the FM Personality of the Year.. Catch her as the Pittsburgh Penguins in-arena host or reporting on traffic from . Amazingly, at the age of 85, his voice sounds as youthful as it was 50 years ago. | Oops it was Hank Stohl who created knish and rodney. Jazz greats, By 1922 Pittsburgh had four radio stations: KDKA, WCAE, WJAS, and KQV. WHER personality Dottie Abbott, taking the air name Dolly Holiday, hosted an overnight program of easy listening music syndicated to stations around the country. Co-star Bea Benaderet said of Allen in 1966: "She was probably one of the greatest actresses of our time. Sybil Herrold was perhaps the worlds first disc jockey; she played Victrola records on her husband Charles Herrolds experimental station, which broadcast in San Jose from 1912 to 1917. JACK BOGUT Bogut came to Pittsburgh in 1968, working for KDKA Radio. in Lifestyle, Trending. Over at CBS, they paired radio actress Bernardine Flynn with Durward Kirby to host a daily newscast. Posted by: All rights reserved. I saw him a number of times shopping at the K-mart near his home in Moon Township. Posted in 1960s, 1970s, Pittsburgh, Pop Culture, Television | Permalink Recents. 2023 Future Publishing Limited, Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. Their radio show "Party Line" was particularly memorable during the Halloween season. There was something in his demeanor that suggested that bigger things were in store for him. I remember meeting Ricki Wertz and her dog Copper when I was little and when I was six years old I saw Moe Howard standing outside of the Holiday House Night Club. Pittsburgh has had its share of television news anchors and reporters coming and going this year. She recently died (July 2021) at the age of 86 in Chicago. He was probably the market's most popular DJ, on KDKA, and also hosted a popular dance show on KDKA-TV that aired on Saturday afternoon; it ran from 1963 until 1966. Posted by: Phil Conte | Jim whalen |