NEW! JERRY GOODWIN WKNRaircheck date: TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1966
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* THE GARY HUNT COLLECTION *
— ACKNOWLEDGEMENT —
A special THANK YOU to Gary Hunt of Grand Rapids, MI., for contributing this special Jerry Goodwin memory with Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
In sharing, Gary Hunt stated he personally taped this featured WKNR audio recording directly from the WKNR AM studio board — 53 years ago this day — August 1966.
ON YOUR PC?To fully appreciate this WKNR Music Guide for the week of August 22, 1966 chart feature click on image 2x and open to second window. Click image anytime to return to NORMAL image size.
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— In MemoryofGeorge Griggs —
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
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Above WKNR music chart courtesy of Mrs. Patti Griggs and the George L. Griggs estate.
Radio/TV – Authors – Music Professionals – Celebrities
They’re coming from 15 cities & 7 states. And this will be my very last time with you all.
We are 30 days away —
It is my hope you will be part of a sparkling and terrific live program. Be part of a special day filled with stories, memories, video and sound. Meet WKNR greats Bob Green, Jerry Goodwin and Paul Cannon. They will present the KEENER story. How it started – why it died.
Bill Hennes, former CKLW program director, he will present the CKLW story, along with several of the great Big 8 names who will be there. Yours truly will present the life and death of WXYZ-WIXIE, along with the original “All Night” Chuck Daugherty. Great Detroit radio remembered from long ago.
In attendence will be over 40 celebrities. All together in the same room. Meet them all personally. International recording star Jack Scott will be there, honoring 94 years’ young Robin Seymour, us, there along with us.
Our Fox 2 friend Charlie Langton will be there to cover it. And we will be shooting video for a TV special as well. More fabulous entertainment is slated for, what will ultimately be, a most memorable event.
As we draw closer to September 14, reservations are getting scarce. Remember. Not possible for this to ever happen again.
This special event will take place, Saturday Sept 14, from 1 to 6pm at the Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi, Mi. Reserve a spot for you or two for a friend before it’s too late.
Radio/TV – Authors – Music Professionals – Celebrities
They’re coming from 15 cities & 7 states. And this will be my very last time with you all.
My invitation to you —
It is my hope you will be part of a sparkling and terrific live program. Be part of a day filled with stories, memories, video and sound. WKNR greats Bob Green, Jerry Goodwin and Paul Cannon will be there. They will present the KEENER story. How it started – why it died.
Bill Hennes, former CKLW program director, will present the CKLW story, along with several of the great Big 8 names who will be there.I will present the life and death of WXYZ-WIXIE, along with the original “All Night” Chuck Daugherty. Great Detroit radio remembered from long ago.
Attending will be over 40 celebrities. All together in the same room. Meet them all personally.International recording start Jack Scott will be there, honoring 94 year’s young Robin Seymour, us, along with us. (Will he sing?)
Also, Charlie Langton and FOX 2 will be there to cover it. And we’ll be shooting video for a TV special as well. More fabulous entertainment is slated for, what will ultimately be, a most memorable event.
Reservations are getting scarce.Remember. Not possible for this to ever happen again. Willyou be there?
The Detroit Free Press Editorial Page: ‘As We See It’ (25 June 1972; pg. 26)
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Above article is courtesy freep.com newspaper archive. Copyright 2019.Newspapers.com.
The above featured ‘Motown’ newsprint article was clipped, saved, and imaged from the credited source by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
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Missed any of our previous MOTOWN related news prints?GO HERE
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Robert G. Liggett, Jr. 76 years old, passed away on Friday July 12, 2019 after a short courageous battle with pancreatic cancer with his family at his side.
Born on January 23, 1943 in Beaumont, Texas, Bob lived in Michigan most of his life. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 31 years, Victoria, his daughters Maureen Fettes (Ron deceased), Emily Philpot (Nick), Marjorie Liggett (John Slocum), and Roberta Liggett O’Malley (Devin). He also leaves behind a brother David Liggett (Laura) from Houston, Texas, sister Roberta McNeilly from Williamsfield, Ohio, 4 grandchildren Rebecca, Ashten, Nicole, and Mitchell from Williamston, MI and one grandchild on the way, a niece and nephew from Texas and Ecuador. Predeceased were his parents and one nephew from Arizona.
Bob founded Liggett Broadcast Group in 1970 following his graduation from law school in 1969 from Wayne State University. He practiced law “for about a week” and decided to stay with the radio business he loved since childhood. The business, headquartered in Lansing, became the state’s largest radio broadcast group. The company owned as many as 29 AM/FM stations in Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, New York and California. In 2000, Bob sold the company to Citadel Communications Corporation.
Starting at age 14, Bob worked his way through high school and college with jobs for Detroit broadcasters such as Capital Cities Communications (WJR), ABC Companies (WXYZ, AM and FM), and Storer Broadcasting Company (WJBK AM and FM TV). Additionally, Bob was the public address announcer for the Detroit Red Wings from 1963 to 1971 at Olympia Stadium.
Bob still owns five radio stations serving the Port Huron area. He was the owner and Chairman of Big Boy Restaurants International, LCC from 2000 to 2018. Bob was the owner and publisher of The Grosse Pointe News from 2007 to 2017.
In 2001, Bob founded Speed Net, LLC, a provider of wireless high-speed modem service. From its headquarters in Frankenmuth, Michigan the company served thousands of households in rural areas of Michigan and was sold in 2009 to Sprint.
In 2010 Bob founded Speed Connect, LLC also providing wireless high- speed modem services to several states including Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, Arizona, and South Dakota. He sold the company to Sprint in 2018.
Bob was involved in many philanthropic endeavors. The Liggett Breast Center at the Van Elslander Cancer Center, Beyond Basics a literacy reading program based in several Detroit elementary schools, The Holly Ear Institute, The Children’s Center of Detroit, and many other programs and causes.
Bob is a member of The Old Club (past commodore), the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, The Country Club of Detroit, The Detroit Athletic Club and The Hundred Club of Detroit.
Bob has served on the Foundation Board of The Detroit Historical Society, The Wayne State University Foundation, The Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan, Focus Hope, The Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation and St. John Hospital Foundation. Bob also has been a member of the Michigan State Bar Association since 1969.
His family and the many friends that he made throughout his lifetime will dearly miss Bob Liggett.
Visitation hours will be on Thursday July 25 from 3pm-8pm, at the A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave. Grosse Pointe Woods, MI.
Funeral Service will be held on Friday July 26 at 11:00am, at the Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church, 211 Moross Rd. Grosse Pointe Farms, MI.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the following local charities.
Liggett Breast Center- 19229 Mack Ave. # 31, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236 Beyond Basics- 18000 W. Nine Mile Rd. Southfield MI 48075 The Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan- 26777 Halsted Rd. Suite 100, Farmington Hills, MI 48331 The Hundred Club of Detroit- P.O. Box 1018, Fenton, MI 48430
To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Robert Liggett, Jr., please visit ourTribute Store.
Radio entrepreneur, former Big Boy owner Robert Liggett dies
Longtime radio station owner bought Big Boy chain in 2000
Long career in the radio industry led to Michigan lifetime achievement in 1999
He also invested in, owned and/or sold software companies, St. Clair Shores theater, internet provider, Grosse Pointe News
Radio station entrepreneur and former Big Boy restaurant chain owner Robert Liggett Jr. died Friday at 76, according to an obituary.
Liggett, a Grosse Pointe Shores resident and businessman with an array of interests, had pancreatic cancer.
WJBK Bob Layne 1964
Liggett was born in 1943 in Beaumont, Texas, and lived most of his life in Michigan. He began working at a radio station at age 14, gearing up for a long career that led to aMichigan Association of Broadcasterslifetime achievement award in 1999.
He bought his first station in the 1970s after graduating from law school at Wayne State University in 1969. Liggett founded and built Liggett Broadcasting into a Lansing-based empire that was at one time considered Michigan’s biggest radio group, the obituary said.
At one time, Liggett’s enterprise owned 29 stations in Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, New York and California. The entrepreneur purchased and sold a variety of stations in the 1980s and then sold his nine Lansing and mid-Michigan radio stations in 2000 for $121 million to Citadel Broadcasting Corp.
For the last two decades, he owned and operated five Port Huron area stations, according to a short article on Liggett’s death posted by one of thestations, WPHM. The five stations operate as Radio First, serving the Thumb area and southwest Ontario.
Liggett bought the 455-restaurant chain Big Boy and most other assets of Elias Bros. Restaurants Inc. out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late 2000 for $24.8 million andsoon began consolidatingits fractured franchise operations to pursue consistency and growth, Crain’s reported. He was owner and chairman of Warren-based Big Boy Restaurants International LLC until 2018, when he sold to a group of local investors. As of that year, Big Boy operated and franchised 84 Big Boy, Bob’s Big Boy and Big Boy’s Burgers and Shakes restaurants in Michigan, Ohio, California and North Dakota.
He also bought The Shores Theatre in St. Clair Shores in 2004, citing sentimentality as part of the reason in a2005 Crain’s interview. He said that in the 1950s he and his brother would get a quarter each to spend Saturday afternoons there.
Liggettalso boughtthe Grosse Pointe News in 2007 and sold it to the founders of bimonthly Grosse Pointe Magazine in 2017. And he was an investor in software companies and alternative fuel, and founded high-speed internet provider SpeedNet LLC, Crain’s reported. SpeedNet sold to Sprint in 2009.
He was also the Detroit Red Wings’ public address announcer from 1963-71, according to the obituary.
He was philanthropically involved with organizations including the Liggett Breast Center at the Van Elslander Cancer Center in Grosse Pointe Woods, Detroit literacy nonprofit Beyond Basics and the Children’s Center of Detroit. He served on boards of the Detroit Historical Society, Wayne State University Foundation, St. John Hospital Foundation and others.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Victoria; daughters Maureen Fettes, Emily Philpot, Marjorie Liggett and Roberta Liggett O’Malley; four grandchildren; brother David Liggett; and sister Roberta McNeilly.
Visitation is planned 3-8 p.m. July 25 at A.H. Peters Funeral Home in Grosse Pointe Woods. The funeral service is 11 a.m. July 26 at the Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church in Grosse Pointe Farms.
A ROBIN SEYMOUR PHOTO COLLAGE(Created by Jim Feliciano; March 10, 2017)
ARE YOU COMING?
THE LAST REUNION – ‘MEET AND GREET’
(Note: this post was published on this website on April 19. Updated; republished May 11, July 12)
Saturday, September 14, 2019
LOST ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL SOUL JUST RECENTLY. Many of you may not of heard of him or know his name. He was responsible for making sure we all played and heard the Motown music in Detroit. A kind, caring, wonderful lifelong friend who was looking forward to coming to The Last Reunion.
Gordon Prince and I spent many days fishing the unspoiled waters of some of those northern Canadian fly in lakes many only dream about. We’d just talk and wonder at it all. Two young guys looking at their futures and wondering where they would take us, Gordon’s future is complete now. He has joined so many now in heaven.
So we must stress at this time it is important — if you are planning in attending — get your reservations in now. Room capacity is limited for this, for what will be, an unforgettable event. Time is closing in on the calendar. Don’t wait for September to get here. Nor the last minute. By then it may be too late.
Robin and I will look forward to greet you, meet with you, be with you for a final time . . . remember this will never, ever happen again.
As someone said, another reason we must do this . . . last reunion. Honoring Robin Seymour and many others. See a partial-celebrity listing here . . . seriously, if you’re planning on coming get your reservation now before it gets to capacity. I’ll see you again Gordy . . . see you my friend . . . .
To those of you who already have placed your reservations, our heartfelt thanks. See you there. See you then. September 14.
Once in a Lifetime Celebration – Robin Seymour at 93!
And all of us together. One Last Time.
When Robin started there were no real DJs. He was unique. There was no Motown music. No music from the likes of Bob Seger, Mitch Ryder, Martha Reeves, Jack Scott, Mary Wilson, Smokey Robinson. Stevie Wonder, hundreds more local bands and groups. It is said he launched 1000 hits. Many from those people who just may not have had their start had it not been for Robin.
I am reaching out to all of them and every person now on the radio in Detroit to just stop by this great celebration to honor Robin and meet you. Mitch – Bob – Smokey. Are you there ? If you’re one of the artists whose career was touched by this icon, or now on radio/TV, writers, or local officials, let me know and come to this. I will add you to the list of celebs.
Listen, there is no angel supporting this. We are doing it ourselves. So we need your reservations early, now. Great memories to see and hear and hopefully some of those stars who must not forget when . . . .A Bird named Robin helped them to fly and launched their careers.
But make your reservations now. September 14. Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. for more information, go here:
THIS IS A PASSION. PLEASE SHARE THIS. SPREAD THE WORD “THE LAST REUNION – MEET & GREET” (Updated; May 6)
We’ve lost so many. Uncle Russ just days ago. Many years ago I was shooting a TV series for CBS I went to WJR in Detroit early in the morning. We set up the camera and lights. I was waiting for my friend. But he didn’t make it that last morning. JP had passed away. The TV series happened. Mike Clark of “Drew & Mike” was on it. But we lost him too.
Remember Alan Almond? Ever meet him? What about Brother Joel Sebastian or Dave Dials or Bill Bonds or Dave Shafer or Mickey Shorr. How I’d love to talk with Mickey again . . . and Dave.
So this is our chance. This Last Reunion. Never been done. Us all together in the same room to meet and greet each other . . . and listen . . . and share . . . and laugh and remember and ask those questions you’ve always wanted to ask . . . personally. Doesn’t seem fair that I and my colleagues can talk on one side of the speaker and you can just listen . . . but we never meet.
So let’s do this before we can’t. The room is only so big and it will be full . . . And by the way WE’RE ALL buying our reservations too, I have mine. Don’t wait.
So let’s Meet & Greet – September 14. See you then . . . one last time?
Celebrity list is growing every day. These five are Yours Truly (sans horn), Bob Green; WKNR, Charlie O’Brien; the Big 8, Jim “JJ”Johnson; WOMC, and yes . . . that’s Denny McLain, and (more names will be added as) the list will continue to grow.
Until we’re full, get your reservations by going here:
Hello, Charlie O’Brien here with my friend,Jo-Jo Shutty MacGregor —
What more can we add, what more can we say . . . It is here. Today! The CKLW ‘Meet and Greet’ Charity event is happening this afternoon, Saturday, July 13!
It is our sixth Big 8 charity event in support of theRonald McDonald Charitiesof Detroit. A free event, it’s all happening today at the VFW Bruce Post 1146 lodge and property at 28404 Jefferson Avenue in St. Clair Shores, MI., from 5 pm until 11 pm., tonight.
Attending will be several CKLW luminaries, and we’ll be entertained by our house DJ, who will be spinning many of those great CKLW top 30 hits we heard played on the radio on the Big 8. There will be dancing, reminiscing, and 50/50 raffles drawn. Have any CKLW memorabilia? Bring them along. We’ll sign them as well. A fun time for all!
Again, all proceeds from food and raffles in this event will go toRonald McDonald Charitiesof Detroit. Again, it’s a free event. So come on out and join us for a great time. We’ll see you there! ?
Hello, Charlie O’Brien back here again with my friend, Jo-Jo Shutty MacGregor —
With a reminder the CKLW ‘Meet and Greet’ Charity event is happening next Saturday, July 13! We pride in noting this will be our 6th. event to benefit the Ronald McDonald’s Charities of Detroit.
The event will take place at the VFW Bruce Post 1146 lodge and property at 28404 Jefferson Avenue in St. Clair Shores, MI., from 5 pm until 11 pm. And it’s a free event. Tell your friends. Bring your family. Come one come all!
Attending will be some of the great CKLW names. You will hear great ‘CK hits played throughout the evening, dancing, reminiscing, and 50/50 raffles drawn. Have any CKLW memorabilia? Bring them along. We’ll sign them as well.
So mark it down on your calendar — Saturday, July 13 — from 5 p.m. – 11:00 pm. For more information visit big8radio.com or ourCKLW Facebook pageor you may call PAT at 586-354-1117
Again, all proceeds from food and raffles in this event will go toRonald McDonald Charities of Detroit. It’s sure to be a Saturday fun night. See you there! 🙂
