WLEW * Jack Thomas * 1975
JACK THOMAS on WLEW REMEMBERED
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Motor City Radio Flashbacks would like to extend our thanks to Frederick Vobbe for sharing this Michigan broadcasting memory in behalf of his brother, Jack Thomas. Fred Vobbe was chief engineer for Detroit radio stations WHNE-FM, WMJC-FM and WHND-AM, Birmingham, Michigan, in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Today, Fred resides in Lima, Ohio, still doing what he does best as chief engineer for major media outlets (radio and TV) in the Buckeye state. We present Fred’s own words he shared of his brother’s broadcasting career, verbatim, below.
Audio and photos courtesy of Fred Vobbe.
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My brother Jack Thomas started broadcasting in 1958 at McKinley School’s educational radio station, WTDS-FM, while a student. In his spare time he recorded radio shows with his friends in his parent’s basement, and collected the latest rock & roll 45s while imitating the sounds of WJBK AM and other stations in Detroit.
In high school he jocked “sock hops” for private and company parties. His first “big time” job in radio was with WATH AM/FM in Athens, Ohio, serving as a Staff Announcer and Chief Engineer. He took the name “Jack Thomas” when on the air. After a decade in Athens he moved to WLEW AM/FM in Bad Axe, Michigan, in 1973 in a similar role.
Being a small market station he set up remotes, assisted in news broadcasts, assembled music libraries, and repaired the station’s broadcast equipment. Jack was proud that he entertained his audience with clean humor, “On This Day in History“and “Jack’s Birthday Book” where he kept a list of area listener’s birthdays and mentioned them on the air while reading entertaining stories and trivia.
While at both stations he produced automation tapes, first for WATH-FM 105.5, and later for both WLEW AM and FM. After retiring from WLEW in 2006, Jack worked part-time briefly for WCPT-FM, and was on the air as “Brother Jack.”
Thomas’ career in broadcasting in the thumb area comprised well over thirty years in radio, where his name is still remembered today.
Jack Thomas passed away in February 2017 at the age of 76.
Frederick Vobbe, August 19
I used to listen to Jack often on Noah’s Ark Radio WCTP 88.5 . His voice had a unique ‘grandfatherly’ quality; kindness and caring just exuded from it!
I’ll always remember one of the ‘tag lines’ he’d use when doing a Promo for W.C.T.P. Radio….”It’s just got to be GREAT!”
….And he Was!
Fondest memories in my heart for Jack Thomas!
Gene Kendel, Croswell, Michigan.
Jack was a joy to work with at WLEW in 74-75. I learned much from him and never tired listening to his great voice. My stay in Bad Axe was short as I left for a job in a major corporation. I visited Jack out of the blue in the early 90s and it was like old times! He remembered me as the kid from Detroit who had to learn about farm implements in the rural area . It was brutal indeed! We spun 45s and albums back then and we sounded really good. I will always member Jack and may be rest in peace