From the MCRFB radio notebook: 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973
Station Milestones
WHFI-FM
DETROIT (August 9, 1969) — The on-air line-up at WHFI-FM in Detroit is now pretty elite. Program director Tom Coleman now has some of the best radio voices now working for him: Marc Avery, former WJBK personality. Don Zee, formerly with CKLW before Paul Drew took it over; Don Alcorn, Lee Alan, formerly WXYZ program director; and Ira Jay Cook from CHLO, St. Thomas, Ont., Canada. END
DETROIT (September 26, 1970) — Ira J. Lipson, former all-night personality at WHFI-FM, Birmingham, is now with Media Associates in Detroit, a public relations firm. END
DETROIT (June 24, 1972) — WHFI-FM, located in the suburb of Birmingham here, has picked up the rights to broadcast the “Olde Golde” program marketed by Programming General. The station was previously live with MOR music; John Allen is program director. Programming is operated by Ken Draper in Los Angeles. Broadcast Products automation equipment is being used. END
DETROIT (October 9, 1973) — Tom Miles, program director at WHFI-FM in Birmingham, reports that the station has changed call letters to WHNE-FM (Honey Radio) and is featuring an automated oldies package. END
– (Information and news source: Billboard Magazine. All excerpts culled as was first published from the dated editions as noted above).
do you have any pictures of the wxyz am studios from the 1970’s? I enjoy looking at he old studios back when they had cart machines. Your website is great!! Keep up the good work
Great write up on WHFI! This was the default station on my parents’ Magnavox console, and I have vivid memories of Christmas time 1970 with Don Alcorn and Marc Avery on the air and the songs on the charts at that time. I remember them playing a song called “Santa has a brand hew helper”, by a sexy sounding female, but have never been able to locate it. 94.7 remained a staple at our house well into the WHNE years, and played a large part in my fascination with popular and lesser known oldies. I was thrilled to discover Marc Avery still on the air, along with Jim Heddle in the late 90s on WAAM Ann Arbor. That was a short-lived pleasure, and Jim’s Forgotten Gold program was incredible. Thanks for adding the airchecks….they’re amazing!