NEW! A special THANK YOU to our friend, Jim Nuznoff, of Port Charlotte, Florida, for this recent contribution for our Motor City Radio Flashbacks airchecks repository.
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Jim writes (January 9, 2024) — “On the date noted on this aircheck, WKNR FM transitioned to WNIC-FM. I did simultaneously had recorded as well, the WKNR-AM to WNIC-AM at the approximate time when the transition took place. But, unfortunately, it was ruined by someone at the studio who threw the wrong switch. That action resulted in several seconds of dead air. Insofar as the AM side, I no longer have that ‘WKNR to WNIC’ tape today.” –Jim Neznoff
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Newly restored! This selected audio recording was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
Russ Gibb, WKNR FM underground DJ and Detroit rock & roll visionary extraordinaire, passed away at the age of 87 on April 30, 2019.
In the featured aircheck, Russ Gibb interviews Jeff Beck on his Saturday mid-afternoon show. Inasmuch, Beck was billed to perform at the Grande Ballroom that same night. On another note, and across town as well, Creedence Clearwater Revival was to take the stage at the Olympia at 8:30 p.m.
In wake of his passing, the Detroit Free Press highlighted his career as a WKNR FM broadcaster, rock promoter, and ultimately, as an instructor/teacher in the Dearborn area. In remembrance of Russ Gibb, you can read the article online, here.
This is our very first Russ Gibb inclusion (the first of two) for the site’s Aircheck repository. A nameless donor, in sharing this recording, expressed complete anonymity. The said donor has made two audio contributions, here and here. He resides elsewhere outside the State of Michigan today.
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Audio was digitally remastered by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
WKNR-FM Russ Gibb, circa 1969 (Detroit Free Press file photo)
It was the proverbial question raised by John Small, which he posed to John Lennon (via telephone), who was in London at the time. It was October of 1969. Three days after Russ Gibb fueled the rumor when WKNR FM aired his controversial two hour program, The Beatle Plot’ in his Sunday show, October 19, 1969.
In this radio interview with John Small, Lennon said that the rumor was “insane” but good publicity for Abbey Road (he further explains in the interview).
Last Friday (October 28) Motor City Radio Flashbacks featured an extension of the extremely rare and controversial WKNR program, ‘The Beatle Plot’. John Small, in collaboration with Russ Gibb and Dan Carlysle, shared their perspective, clues, and insights from their own ‘investigation’ they collective shared of the very question they raised on the night of October 19, Is Paul McCartney Dead?
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NOTE: In the event you may have missed our featured presentation — ‘Is Paul McCartney Dead? The Beatle Plot’ — you can find it HERE.
NEW!J. MICHAEL WILSON WKNRaircheck date: *September (12?) 1966
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* THE GARY HUNT COLLECTION *
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ABOUT THIS RECORDING
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This is one interesting J. Michael Wilson aircheck find which Motor City Radio Flashbacks contributor Gary Hunt recently donated for our airchecks archives.
In listening in, this is not the best audio insofar as quality, as you will note. But it is the 10 p.m. night time hour. And you’re listening to the J. Michael Wilson Show in Detroit on WKNR in August 1966.
At first listen, I thought this aircheck probably had been recorded by someone who resided somewhere possibly east of the Detroit map at the time. As we know, the 1310 transmitted signal was deficient during the night time hours after sundown east of the city.
So I wrote back to Gary in regards, and here was his response, “the J. Michael Wilson aircheck was recorded at my best friend’s (Bob Becker) house on Covell Road N.W. Grand Rapids, MI via his TV antenna two stories high on the roof. This was from WKNR FM.”
Amazing. So there you have it. Another rare, but a classic J. Michael Wilson aircheck found, as was aired on the #1 radio station in the Motor City in 1966.
THANK YOU!
A special THANK YOU to Gary Hunt for sharing thisspecial J. Michael Wilson memory with Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
(Next week! Another NEW Gary Hunt WXYZ Jim Hampton aircheck from August 1966)
A MCRFB Note: Motor City Radio Flashbacks pulled up the WKNR Music Guide for the week of *September 12, 1966.And it appears the numbered song hits on this one WKNR JMW aircheck verifies it was recorded sometime during that particular week, as noted, for this aircheck presentation.
(Above WKNR ad courtesy freep.com newspapers archive. Copyright 2017; Newspapers.com).
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(Above WKNR ad courtesy freep.com newspapers archive. Copyright 2017; Newspapers.com).
A MCRFB Viewing Tip: On your PC? For a larger detailed viewclick image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.
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(Above WKNR ad courtesy freep.com newspapers archive. Copyright 2017; Newspapers.com).
A MCRFB Viewing Tip: On your PC? For a larger detailed viewclick image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.
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DETROIT FREE PRESS: WNIC-AM “Format Change for WNIC To Take Middle of Road”
(Above WNIC related article is courtesy freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2017. Newspapers.com).
A MCRFB viewing tip: On your PC? You can read the entire 1972 WNIC article! For a larger detailed view click above image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.
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On your mobile device? Take finger and thumb and “stretch” across the featured article to magnify for largest print view.
Missed any of our previous ‘Detroit Radio Back-Pages‘ features?GO HERE.
NEW! A special THANK YOU to our friend, Jim Nuznoff, of Port Charlotte, Florida, for this recent contribution for our Motor City Radio Flashbacks airchecks repository.
Newly restored! This selected audio recording was digitally restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
