Detroit Radio 1963 Kennedy Tapes – Motor City Radio Flashbacks

DETROIT 1963 RADIO COVERAGE: THE KENNEDY TAPES

WWJ FM * Monday, November 25, 1963 * THE BOB PRATT COLLECTION (A)

THE KENNEDY TAPES (Bob Pratt Collection) MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1963 [A]

NBC Radio Network (11:16 A.M. – 1:15 P.M.)

_______________

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

**Detroit Free Press** *Tuesday, November 26, 1963. (Click on this image 2x on your PC monitor for largest detailed view)*

WWJ FM * Monday, November 25, 1963 * THE BOB PRATT COLLECTION (B)

THE KENNEDY TAPES (Bob Pratt Collection) MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1963 [B]

NBC Radio Network (1:16 P.M. – 3:43 P.M.)

_______________

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.”

Classical music resumes play over the NBC Radio Network

ABOUT THESE NOVEMBER 1963 RECORDINGS

_______________

A special THANK YOU to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI., for contributing these historic recordings with Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 15 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 55 years ago. The recordings began at 11:16 a.m. through 3:43 p.m., Monday afternoon, November 25, 1963.

Bob Pratt shares his recollections of President Kennedy’s assassination. His personal memories is featured on this website, here.

These 1963 Detroit radio broadcasts was never available to anyone — anywhere — until now. Motor City Radio Flashbacks features these historic recordings in their entirety — exclusively here — for the very first time.

_______________

— ABOUT THESE IMAGES —

The above featured images was ‘clipped,’ saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

— NOTES —

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 created by Jim Feliciano. The ‘televised’ image was used, having been obtained from the personal collection of the author.

Photos featured: Associated Press

DETROIT 1963 RADIO COVERAGE: THE KENNEDY TAPES

WWJ FM * Sunday, November 24, 1963 * THE BOB PRATT COLLECTION (A)

THE KENNEDY TAPES (Bob Pratt Collection) SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1963 [A]

NBC Radio Network (12:28 P.M. – 3:02 P.M.)

_______________

In this segment you will hear NBC radio reports by the following correspondents:

Tom Petitt (Dallas); Roger Ready (Dallas); Tom Perryman (Dallas); Robert McCormick (Washington); Herbert Kaplow (Washington); Don Doke (Washington); Jack Perkins (Washington); Richard Harkness (Washington); Bryson Rush (Washington)

Also, the NBC radio memorial tribute, ‘President John F. Kennedy: The Highest Price’

**Detroit Free Press** *Monday, November 25, 1963. (Click on this image 2x on your PC monitor for largest detailed view)*

WWJ FM * Sunday, November 24, 1963 * THE BOB PRATT COLLECTION (B)

THE KENNEDY TAPES (Bob Pratt Collection) SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1963 [B]

NBC Radio Network (3:03 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.)

_______________

The NBC radio memorial tribute, ‘President John F. Kennedy: The Highest Price’ (conclusion)

Near the end of this segment you will note a brief NBC radio commentary by Morgan Beatty (11:21 p.m.); Bryson Rush (Washington)

ABOUT THESE NOVEMBER 1963 RECORDINGS

_______________

A special THANK YOU to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI., for contributing these historic recordings with Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 15 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 55 years ago.

Some 8 minutes after Lee Harvey Oswald was shot on live TV (12:21; EST), Bob Pratt began to record the events as NBC radio was breaking the story over WWJ-FM, Detroit. The recordings began approximately 12:29 p.m., through 6:00 p.m., Sunday evening, November 24, 1963.

Bob Pratt shares his recollections of President Kennedy’s assassination. His personal memories is featured on this website, here.

_______________

TOMORROW: WWJ FM November 25, 1963

NBC RAW FEED * Sunday, November 24, 1963 * NBC RADIO NETWORK

— ABOUT THESE IMAGES —

The above featured images was ‘clipped,’ saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

— NOTES —

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 created by Jim Feliciano. The ‘televised’ image was used, having been obtained from the personal collection of the author.

Photos featured: Associated Press (Bob Jackson); Dallas Morning News (Jack Beers) Associated Press

DETROIT 1963 RADIO COVERAGE: THE KENNEDY TAPES

WJBK FM * Saturday, November 23, 1963 * THE BOB PRATT COLLECTION

THE KENNEDY TAPES (Bob Pratt Collection) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1963

WJBK Radio 15 News (1:00 P.M. – 1:31 P.M.)

_______________

In this 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 Detroit 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 their music format. The station reverted instead playing dirge music — breaking only for news as they developed — at the top and bottom of the hour throughout their broadcasting day, November 23, 55 years ago.

Bob King and Bernard Morris | WJBK FM Detroit

**Detroit Free Press** *Sunday November 24, 1963. (Click on this image 2x on your PC monitor for largest detailed view)*

WWJ-AM * Saturday, November 23, 1963 * THE BOB PRATT COLLECTION

THE KENNEDY TAPES (Bob Pratt Collection) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1963

NBC Radio Network (7:30 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.) [A]

_______________

In this (newly added; November 1, 2019) WWJ-AM 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)

WWJ-AM * Saturday, November 23, 1963 * THE BOB PRATT COLLECTION

THE KENNEDY TAPES (Bob Pratt Collection) SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1963

NBC Radio Network (10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.) [B]

_______________

In this (newly added; November 1, 2019) WWJ-AM 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)

ABOUT THESE NOVEMBER 1963 RECORDINGS

_______________

A special THANK YOU to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI., for contributing these historic recordings with Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 15 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 55 years ago.

_______________

The WWJ-AM recordings began at 7:30 a.m., when NBC Radio (New York) signed on all their affiliates nationwide, Saturday morning, November 23, recorded until 12 noon. The WJBK-FM recording began at the top of the 1:00 p.m. hour until just after 1:30 p.m.

Bob Pratt shares 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 — until now. Motor City Radio Flashbacks features these historic recordings in their entirety — exclusively here — for the very first time.

_______________

TOMORROW: WWJ FM November 24, 1963

— ABOUT THESE IMAGES —

The above featured images was ‘clipped,’ saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

— NOTES —

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 created by Jim Feliciano. The ‘televised’ image was used, having been obtained from the personal collection of the author.

Photos featured: Associated Press

Photo caption: Four days in November. The mood of a nation. A U.S. serviceman weeps as President Kennedy’s caisson rolls by inside Arlington.

DETROIT 1963 RADIO COVERAGE: THE KENNEDY TAPES

WWJ FM * Friday, November 22, 1963 * BOB PRATT COLLECTION (A)

The Presidential limousine under fire. 12:30 p.m., CST. November 22 (Photo: Mary Moorman; AP)

THE KENNEDY TAPES (Bob Pratt Collection) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1963

NBC Radio Network (2:00 P.M. EST – 3:45 P.M. EST) [A]

_______________

Approximately 20 minutes after NBC broke programming with a bulletin (AP; 12:40 p.m., CST) President Kennedy had been shot, the NBC Radio Network in New York took control of the news coming out of Dallas on all the NBC affiliates nationwide, including WWJ, WWJ FM in Detroit, at the top of the hour — 2:00 P.M., EST, Friday, November 22, 1963.

_______________

Peter Hackuss (NBC Radio Network, New York); Edwin Newman (NBC Radio Network, New York)

Robert MacNeill (Dallas); Bill Ryan (NBC TV [feed] New York); Charles Murphy (ABC-TV [feed] Dallas); David Brinkley (NBC TV [feed] Washington); Alan Bickley (WFAA Dallas); Joseph Michaels (New York); Jean Hill [eyewitness] WFAA Dallas); Frank McGee (NBC TV [feed] New York); Robert Gorawlski (Washington); Chet Huntley (NBC TV [feed] New York); John Holfin (NBC cameraman [eyewitness] Dallas); Morgan Beatty (NBC Radio Network, New York); John Lavencheck (Miami); Robert McCormick (Washington); Pierce Allman (WFAA Dallas); Irving R. Levine (Rome); Kenneth Bernstein (London)

The *Association Press* wires breaks with a bulletin. *President Kennedy has been shot*. 12:40 p.m., CST; November 22 (The Jim Feliciano Collection)

WWJ FM * Friday, November 22, 1963 * THE BOB PRATT COLLECTION (B)

THE KENNEDY TAPES (Bob Pratt Collection) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1963

NBC Radio Network (6:20 P.M. – 8:55 P.M.) [B]

_______________

In this segment you will hear NBC radio reports by the following correspondents:

Joseph Michaels (New York); Bernard Brussell (Paris); Ray Sherer (Washington); Joseph Hersh (London); Berry Simmons (San Diego); Pierce Allman (Dallas); Ian Stewart (Hong Kong); Peter Hackett (Washington); Robert Abernathy (Washington); Nancy Dickerson (Washington); Tom Petitt (Dallas) David Abernathy (Bonn); Richard Volariani (Washington); Robert Goralski (Washington); Joseph Michaels (JFK in New York; 11-15-1963)

Also — you will hear a special WWJ radio news report by:

John Hultman | WWJ WWJ FM (NBC; Detroit)

**Detroit Free Press** *Saturday, November 23, 1963. (Click on this image 2x on your PC monitor for largest detailed view)*

WWJ FM * Friday, November 22, 1963 * THE BOB PRATT COLLECTION (C)

THE KENNEDY TAPES (Bob Pratt Collection) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1963

NBC Radio Network (8:56 P.M. – 11:36 P.M.) [C]

_______________

In this segment you will hear NBC radio reports by the following correspondents:

Bob Whitten (Sacramento); Robert Goralski (Washington); Tom Perryman (Dallas); John Rich (Tokyo); Herbert Kaplow (Washington); Joseph Michaels (Interviews Carlos Bringuier, New Orleans — New York); Richard Valariani (Washington); John Chancellor (Berlin); Tom Petitt (Dallas); Robert Abernathy (Washington)

Also — you will hear a special WWJ radio news report by:

Don Perrie | WWJ WWJ FM (NBC; Detroit)

November 22 *(Photo: Jack Rosen) The Jim Feliciano Collection*

ABOUT THESE NOVEMBER 1963 RECORDINGS

_______________

A special THANK YOU to Bob Pratt, of Farmington Hills, MI., for contributing these historic recordings with Motor City Radio Flashbacks.

In November 1963, Bob Pratt recorded over 15 hours on reeled tapes covering the tragic four days, 55 years ago.

Some 5 hours after the NBC Radio Network broke with stunning word President Kennedy had been shot (12:40 p.m., CST; 1:00 p.m., CST;) Bob Pratt proceeded recording more of the NBC radio news — as they unfolded on WWJ-FM, Detroit. The evening recordings began at 6:20 p.m., running through 11:36 p.m. Friday night, November 22, 1963.

Bob Pratt shares his recollections of President Kennedy’s assassination. His personal memories is featured on this website, here.

_______________

TOMORROW: WJBK FM and WWJ AM November 23, 1963

**Detroit Free Press.** *The headlines Detroiters woke up to on the morning of November 22, 1963. (Click on this image 2x on your PC monitor for largest detailed view)*

— ABOUT THESE IMAGES —

The above featured images was ‘clipped,’ saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks

— NOTES —

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 created by Jim Feliciano. The ‘televised’ image was used, having been obtained from the personal collection of the author.

AP Bulletin image: Scanned from an actual 11-22-1963 AP scroll. (from the author’s personal collection)

_______________

Photo featured: Associated Press (Mary Moorman)

_______________

Photo featured: Jack Rosen

About this photo: Photographer Jack Rosen captured this image, on November 22, 1963, inside a Sears & Roebuck department store, in Levittown, PA.

(Note the television monitors. Broadcasting the news coming out of Dallas that day. CBS, ABC, NBC, respectively).

The author purchased this very image, 10 years ago, from the Jack Rosen website. This same image is available and can be purchased HERE

NOVEMBER ’63. FOUR DAYS. . . BOB PRATT REMEMBERS

My Memories of President Kennedy’s Assassination

THE KENNEDY TAPES

Recorded by Bob Pratt. November 1963

_______________

November 22, 1963 started out like any other Friday in Detroit. I was a junior studying electrical engineering at Wayne State University and I awaited the arrival of my friend, Dany, that morning. It was his day to drive and we were soon on our way.

Our classes were mostly in the morning and we were ready to leave for our return trip home by early afternoon. But before we could leave, Dany had to make a stop at the engineering office to pick up some important papers from one of the professors. He parked in front of the engineering office and headed in. I waited in the car.

In those days, I was one of the on-air personalities with a DJ show once a week and occasionally a news broadcast on the campus “current carrier” AM station, WUBG. There had been talk among the station management about beginning some dramatic radio plays at some point, and although I wasn’t involved in that endeavor, I was curious about what was on the air while I waited. I tuned in to 620 AM and discovered a play in progress about the assassination of the president. Ah, the Abraham Lincoln story, I figured. It was being presented in a very dramatic and realistic style and I was hooked for a while.

But I began to sense that something was not quite right about the details and I decided to tune in something else. I switched over to WJR to catch some music and quickly realized that this was not about our 16^th president, but was a live news report about our 35^th president, John F. Kennedy. I was stunned to learn he had been critically shot and might not survive. It was the biggest shock I had ever received in my young life.

Dany returned a few minutes later and we headed toward my home in silence, except for the somber reports from the radio. I turned on the TV when I arrived home and my mother and I remained glued to the set until my dad arrived home from work.

I had a quarter track stereo tape deck back then, a Viking model 88 that allowed two stereo tracks or up to four mono tracks to be recorded on the two sides of a tape. My dad suggested that I get upstairs and start recording from the radio as quickly as possible. I grabbed an empty tape, loaded it up and tuned into WWJ-FM. They were broadcasting a network news feed from NBC radio at that time.

We had a quick dinner and my dad had another stroke of genius. “Keep recording as long as you can and I’ll go out and buy several 2400 Ft reels of tape. We should be able to go for several days.” he said. And so we did.

An actual image a member of the Pratt Family took from the TV screen. November 1963. *(Courtesy of Bob Pratt)*

Over the next few days we recorded as much as we could, day and night, from WWJ-FM, WJR-FM and WJBK-FM. There were reports from around the world, across the nation and around our town of the capture of the assassin, the death of the president, the funeral, and comments from world leaders, local dignitaries and neighbors down the street.

We followed the capture of Lee Harvey Oswald by the police and his assassination by Jack Ruby. We cried at the TV scenes of the first lady and the president’s children who stood stunned by the events and his loss. Although the pomp and circumstance were over in a few days, the memories of those times will never leave me.

After the events were finally over, I packed the tapes away for safe keeping. There were about 16 hours of sound all together. I never listened to them until a few months ago when my friend, Jim Feliciano, mentioned that he was very interested in the Kennedy assassination and wondered if I had any recordings from 1963.

I pulled out the box and examined the tapes. They looked to be in good shape. I spot checked a couple and found that indeed the recordings were well preserved. I offered to make copies for him.

I planned to let each track run for the full hour into my computer and convert each to an mp3 file for storage. But they were so captivating that I listened to almost every one during the recording process. It was a truly somber experience, and with all the international comments, it made me realize how loved and respected the United States and our people were in those days.

The tapes also showed how we as a nation stuck together almost as one big family. I long for those simpler days and wonder if we will ever be able to restore the cohesiveness and compassion we had back then.

As President John Kennedy famously said a long time ago, his Boston-accented voice still resonates with me today — I can hear it now — “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

— Robert G. Pratt

9/30/2018

**Downtown Detroit** November 22, 1963 *(Griswold Avenue and State)*

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT

_______________

A special ‘THANK YOU’ to Bob Pratt, Farmington Hills, Michigan, for sharing his personal thoughts, memories from November 1963 with us today.

Beginning today, and for the next three days, Motor City Radio Flashbacks will feature Bob Pratt’s historic recordings, covering those four tragic days, November 1963.

— A TIME REMEMBERED —