A special THANK YOU to Roy Stephens for this recent aircheck contribution (and his photo, below) for the Motor City Radio Flashbacks collection.
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Newly restored! This selected audio recording was digitally enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
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In 1963, Nat Cole’s 1960 album The Magic of Christmas was re-issued under the title The Christmas Song, with that recording added to the track in place of God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, with new cover art added. Music arranged and conducted by Ralph Carmichael.
Album recording audio remastered by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
Recording digitally remastered by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
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Click on above image for expanded view and credits. Or, tap on the image and stretch image across your mobile device or tablet screen.
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We received very sad news late last night that Detroit radio legend, Ken Calvert, has passed away.
Motor City Radio Flashbacks extends heart-felt condolences to the Calvert family, and to all his radio friends, his proteges, radio fans, and to all who knew Ken, our deepest sympathy.
Motor City Radio Flashbacks will provide any further information on Ken’s passing and of any pending services, here, if or when they will become available.
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UPDATED December 25, 2023: Kenneth A. Calvert Legacy Obituary
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/kenneth-calvert-obituary?id=53907484
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The above Billboard 12/14/1963 Beach Boys/Capitol Records ad was digitally re-imaged and restored by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
Audio digitally remastered by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
Hot Imperial Artist Starts, Spreads Coast Club Craze
NEW YORK — “Young kids were always coming up to me on my tour and asking, ‘What’s the Whiskey a Go Go like? I’d sure like to go there.’ ”
Imperial Records’ hot Johnny Rivers speaking, and while what he’s saying may or may not be the best sign sociologically, it’s a good indication of how important the a Go Go in general and Johnny in particular have become on the music scene. The a Go Go has certainly played a major role in Johnny Rivers’ go going career, ending 1964 at its highest level.
“That’s where it all started,” Johnny said recently while stopping here at the windup of a 33 -city cross-country tour.
“The Whiskey a Go Go on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. Everybody drops in – Natalie Wood, Jayne Mansfield, Mamie Van Doren, Tuesday Weld. Steve McQueen is there a lot – he’ll host my ‘welcome back’ opening there Dec. 8.”
Steve’s a big booster of Johnny’s, it was learned. He recently took Johnny’s records to a European discotheque, had them played and then took them back when he left the place, it was noted by Lou Adler, head of Dunhill Productions and Johnny’s record producer, who was also visiting New York and sitting in on the interview.
Memphis Tour Highlight
Johnny’s earlier recording of “Memphis” brought him a parade and the key to that city from the mayor during his recent travels, perhaps the high -light of the tour for the slight entertainer looming large in show business.
Just what is the a Go Go sound? (Johnny’s songs have all been recorded before, but he’s given them life.) “Well, it’s hard to say if there is a Go Go sound per se,” Johnny explained. ‘Most of my records, like ‘Memphis’ and ‘Maybelline’ and the albums, ‘At the Whiskey a Go Go’ and ‘Here We a Go Go Again,’ are done live at the Whiskey a Go Go, although the new one, ‘Mountain of Love,’ was cut in a studio, with three girls plus my regular backing, bass player Mickey Jones and drummer Joe Osborne (I play guitar).
“My music has been compared to the Detroit Sound, although I’m told I have a somewhat happier sound.” At which point Adler said: “Johnny has brought the young feeling of dancing — the watusi, the frug, etc., to adults in clubs. They can relate to him musically. He’s blues-oriented, and adults have always been able to relate easier to blues than to rock ‘n’ roll.”
Johnny’s favorite artists are B. B. King, Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed and Muddy Waters – the latter a natural preference for an artist named Johnny Rivers. Among the femmes, he prefers Nancy Wilson. attracted to that particular sound.”
Johnny also believes the British groups will be popular for quite a while yet. “Too many are making it now,” he felt, “and it’ll come down to The Beatles, the best groups, the best material.” His convictions in this area are not influenced by the fact that Brian Epstein (called the fifth Beatle by some, the first by others) handles Johnny’s European engagements.
Johnny, 23, has been recording since he was 15 and now makes his home in California. According to Adler, “Johnny’s finally found his own style and sound. Recording live at the Whiskey a Go Go with just a trio turned the trick, I think. Instead of his complementing the band as he’d been doing for years, they’re complementing him. . . “.
The Hollywood Whiskey a Go Go will get some more publicity when Johnny (along with other cast members) does scenes for his first movie a la maison. “I’ve had some offers for pictures before, but I held out for a really important property. This looks like it. Right now it’s called ‘Community Property,’ and the stars are Frank Sinatra, Deborah Kerr, Dean Martin and Ann Margret. It starts shooting in February, with many of the scenes to be locationed at the Whiskey a Go Go, and I’ll have a speaking part plus three or four numbers in it. It’s basically a comedy-the title may be changed to ‘Divorce-American Style’.
(One of the films offered Johnny was Sam Katzman’s “Watusi a Go Go,” which, perhaps when they couldn’t get Johnny, was changed to “The Swingin’ Set” and now has become “Get Yourself a College Girl.”
Johnny has also appeared on TV’s “Shindig,” on Red Skelton’s show (in a skit about the “Skelton a Go Go”) and in a documentary Jack Paar filmed on the craze for a Go-Gos around our country (and, presumably, in France, the actual birthplace of the name if not the nuance).
“The Whiskey a Go Go people on the Coast are looking for a spot in New York to open a new a Go Go,” Johnny confided. Which would make Christmas merrier for “little kids” hereabouts; and, of course, for the countless watusi wacky adults who relate to Johnny’s a Go Go, man, go rhythms and sounds.
Another Christmas gift ouch: Johnny Rivers dolls — you wind them up, and, as Lawrence Welk would say, they ah, go, go, go. END
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Information, credit and news source: Record World, December 5, 1964
Audio digitally enhanced by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
WWWW WRIF WLLZ WCSX WOMC
In the 50-plus years you’ve been rockin’ radio here in the Motor City, you created a legacy which will be remembered, loved, and will be left unmatched, unsurpassed, and can never be duplicated. When you believe you’ve come to the end of a long journey, another path awaits you for something even much better. Cherish every moment of this time. And may you revel in this new golden chapter of your life. Happy retirement, Jim Johnson!
A Viewing Tip
Click over above image for expanded PC detailed view. Or tap on and stretch image across your tablet or your mobile device.
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‘SANTA COMES TO TOWN’ “More than a quarter-million children and parents jammed Woodard for the annual J. L. Hudson Thanksgiving Day Parade to give Santa Clause and Christmas Carol a rousing welcome to Detroit.”
Detroit Free Press, Friday, November 29, 1963
[Note: Click over image 2x for large PC detailed view or tap and stretch image across your tablet or your mobile device.]
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Woodward Avenue. The precise spot where the photo was taken, facing towards east Grand River in the heart of downtown Detroit. To the right, was the J. L. Hudson building. Towering in the background is the historic Merchants Building. The old Singer building, as it was known at the time, is visible on the left. It is the Shinola Hotel today.
Added inside the photo frame is the exact street view (looking up Grand River from Woodward Ave) as it appeared in November 2022. The featured photograph was taken by Detroit Free Press chief photographer Tony Spina during the J. L. Hudson Thanksgiving Day Parade in Downtown Detroit, in November 1963. 60 years ago, today.
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In this segment you will hear NBC radio reports by the following correspondents:
Ron Nessen (Washington); Don Doke (White House); Ed Gulf (Mobile Unit); Dave Rush (St. Matthews Cathedral)
The complete coverage of the Low Pontifical Requiem Mass for President Kennedy at St. Matthews Cathedral, as broadcasted on WWJ, Detroit, on the NBC Radio Network. Highlights:
“Hail to the Chief” (JFK casket brought into Cathedral); Commencement of Mass; Entrance Hymn; Reading of the Gospel; Offertory; Consecration; The Lord’s Prayer; Celebrant’s Communion; Communion Missile; Communion Prayer; End of Mass; Words by Reverend Phillip M. Hannon (Auxiliary Catholic Bishop) Washington; Cardinal Richard Cushing; Cardinal and dignitaries exit Cathedral.
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Note: In 1963, WWJ WWJ-FM was owned and operated by The Detroit News. The NBC Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by Peters, Griffins, Woodward, Inc.
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In this segment you will hear the NBC reports of President John F. Kennedy’s State Funeral:
The complete and final coverage of President Kennedy’s Funeral. As broadcasted on WWJ, Detroit, on the NBC Radio Network. Highlights:
JFK’s casket, caisson leaves Cathedral; Ed Gulf, (Mobile Unit) reporting; JFK Funeral procession crossing Potomac; Procession continues; Procession enters Arlington; JFK casket carried to gravesite; Kennedy family approaches grave; National Anthem, Air Force Bag Pipes; The Fly-By; Blessing of the Grave (Richard Cardinal Cushing presides); Military Honor 21 Gun Salute; Oratory Prayers, Church Consecration; Military Honor Guard 3 Gun Salute, Playing Military Taps; Military Honor Guard folds Flag; Cushing officiates Prayers, recites Church Blessings of the Grave; Flag handed to Mrs. Kennedy, commence lighting of the Eternal Flame.
” . . . John F. Kennedy, has been laid to rest.”
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Classical music resumes play over the NBC Radio Network
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A special thank you to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI., for contributing these historic recordings to the Motor City Radio Flashbacks archive.
In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 20 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 60 years ago.
In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 20 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 60 years ago. The recordings began at 11:16 a.m. through 3:43 p.m., Monday afternoon, November 25, 1963.
Bob Pratt also shared his own recollections of President Kennedy’s assassination. His personal memories is featured on this website, here.
These historic Detroit radio broadcasts was never available to anyone — anywhere. Motor City Radio Flashbacks featured these historic recordings in their entirety — exclusively here — for the very first time, when this site premiered these broadcasts in November 2018, five years ago.
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Above newspaper images courtesy from the freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2023. Newspapers.com.
The above featured images was ‘clipped,’ saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
All photographs used for this featured presentation was randomly selected. All photographs was captioned by the author. All selected photos herein were found to be under/as ‘public domain’ and are displayed here for educational purposes only, as stipulated under the “fair use” clause, unless specified otherwise, and having been credited, as.
For largest views – if viewing on your mobile device, tap over newspaper images. Open to second window. “Stretch” images across your device screen to magnify detailed view.
All images posted in this featured presentation was re-imaged, re-framed, and was web created for this featured presentation by Jim Feliciano. The selected ‘televised’ image was used (see top frame), having been obtained from the personal collection of the author.
Photos featured: Associated Press
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In this WJBK FM, Saturday, November 23 segment you will hear the 1:00 p.m. WJBK Radio 15 Newsline Report with Bob King and Bernard Morris.
In November 1963, the WJBK News department comprised of 5 news anchors. The Radio 15 anchors were: Bob King, Norm Lenhardt, Alan Thayer, Bernard Morris and Bob Edgington.
For news and information, the WJBK news department was reliant on UPI and AP teletypes machines for local, domestic, and international news wires and reports.
In 1963, the Storer Broadcasting owned WJBK radio station was not affiliated with any major news organizations, nor with a major news network.
You will note a somber solemnity in the first day of national mourning. WJBK, a top 40 station, dropped entirely their music format. The station reverted instead playing continuous dirge music — breaking only for news as they developed at the top and bottom of the hour throughout their broadcasting day, Saturday, November 23, 60 years ago today.
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Note: In 1963, WJBK WJBK-FM was owned and operated by The Storer broadcasting Company. The Storer Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by the Katz Agency, Inc.
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In this (newly added; November 1, 2019) WWJ-AM hourly segment you will hear NBC radio reports by Russ Ward (New York) and following correspondents:
Richard Volariani (Washington); John Rich (Tokyo); Pierce Allman (Dallas); Enaldo Akalena (Beirut); Wilson Hall (Rio De Janeiro); Joseph C. Harsh (London); John Sharky (Saigon); Phyllis Hepp (Nairobi); Alvin Rosenfeld (Tel Aviv); Irvin R. Levine (Rome); Peter Hackuss (Washington); John Chancellor (Berlin); John Lavencheck (Miami); Robert McCormick (Washington); Robert Gorawlski (White House); Hubert Humphrey (Washington); Bernard Prissell (France) Pope Paul IX (Vatican); Senator John Tower (New York); Representative Hale Boggs (Louisiana); Representative Gerald R. Ford (Michigan); Representative Albert Thomas (Washington); Alan Kennedy (New Delhi)
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Note: In 1963, WWJ WWJ-FM was owned and operated by The Detroit News. The NBC Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by Peters, Griffins, Woodward, Inc.
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In this (newly added; November 1, 2019) WWJ-AM hourly segment you will hear NBC radio reports by Russ Ward (New York) and following correspondents:
Irvine R. Levine (Rome); Ed Newman (Washington); Robert Goralski (White House); Ron Nessen (Washington); Tom Petitt (Dallas); Jim Jenson (Hyannis Port); Jim Holbrook (Chicago); Ray Sherer (White House); Jim Hurlman (New York); Ray Moore (Atlanta); Robert Abernathy (Washington); Bryson Rash (Washington): Eli Abel (State Department); Richard Harkness (Andrews Air Force Base); Dr. William H. McCarcall (Bristol, Tennessee); Wells Heilmann (Bonn)
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Note: In 1963, WWJ WWJ-FM was owned and operated by The Detroit News. The NBC Detroit affiliate was represented nationally by Peters, Griffins, Woodward, Inc.
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A special thank you to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI., for contributing these historic recordings for our Motor City Radio Flashbacks archive.
In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 20 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 60 years ago.
The featured WWJ-AM recordings began at 7:30 a.m., when NBC Radio (New York) first signed on that morning on all their affiliates nationwide, Saturday, November 23. These recording totaled 4.5 hours, to 12 noon. The featured WJBK-FM recording began in the afternoon, at top of the 1:00 p.m. hour. Saturday, November 23.
Bob Pratt also shared his own recollections of President Kennedy’s assassination. His personal memories is featured on this website, here.
These historic Detroit radio broadcasts was never available to anyone — anywhere. Motor City Radio Flashbacks featured these historic recordings in their entirety — exclusively here — for the very first time when this site premiered these broadcasts in November 2018, five years ago.
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Above newspaper image courtesy from the freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2023. Newspapers.com.
The above featured images was ‘clipped,’ saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
All photographs used for this featured presentation was randomly selected. All photographs was captioned by the author. All selected photos herein were found to be under/as ‘public domain’ and are displayed here for educational purposes only, as stipulated under the “fair use” clause, unless specified otherwise, and having been credited, as.
For largest views – if viewing on your mobile device, tap over newspaper images. Open to second window. “Stretch” images across your device screen to magnify detailed view.
All images posted in this featured presentation was re-imaged, re-framed, and was web created for this featured presentation by Jim Feliciano. The ‘televised’ image was used (see top frame), having been obtained from the personal collection of the author.
Photos featured: Associated Press
