WABX RECALLED ON MOTOR CITY RADIO FLASHBACKS

WABX-FM 99 * 1970 * JERRY GOODWIN

WABX-FM SEPTEMBER 19, 1970

About This Aircheck . . .  And a Word from Brian Wood

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WABX. If you listened to FM radio from the late-1960s through the 1970s, chances are you remember those legendary calls today. Sometime late in 1967, this station would give birth to a “new” radio sound.

It would become the Motor City’s first and only “free-form” style radio in the market.

Whatever your preferences for music, may it blues, jazz, folk, album-orient rock, to thousands crossing the AM band over to the FM side, it was the ultimate escape vinyl audio purists were looking for in radio in 1967. And they found it. 99.5 on the dial.

The station’s legacy derived primarily having played many ‘choices’ of recorded music offered at the time. Choices no other station would consider playing. Beyond the music, the radio staff also promoted well the signature “X.” Sponsoring popular entertainment venues, headlining famous groups of the day, also that of local bands playing around town. And no other radio station would try this — allowing groups to perform “live” while broadcasting on the air. If all else, this recording would serve a reminder WABX was that kind of station. And on this tape, that was Jerry Goodwin on WABX. Forty-seven years ago. There has been no other station one could compare in Detroit ever since.

Now. About this WABX aircheck.

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Last January, Motor City Radio Flashbacks received a parcel from a Brian Wood, from Highland, MI. Tucked inside was a letter, and, a CD marked WABX. The letter, in part, went on to relate an ‘on-air’ radio experience he had with ‘ABX ace Jerry Goodwin. It was a Saturday morning. September, 1970.

I’ll share here what he had to say of his one, unforgettable, WABX memory. Here’s several highlights from his letter, as he wrote it, below —

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Hello Jim —

This represents good memories from the good old days. Imagine being 19 and hearing your song on the radio, having to record at the WKNR radio station with Bob Green and later that year performing live, on Jerry Goodwin’s show on WABX was pretty darn exciting!

On the WABX recording, Jerry speaks with Rick Slotnick primarily. We were quite nervous and in awe of the situation. Although I was the main singer and songwriter, Rick had a better presence and wit to match with Jerry’s personality. The sad part is Rick passed away in 1982 from leukemia and miss him to this day. That makes these recordings more memorable.

WKNR * THE ‘MOTOR CITY MUSIC SEARCH’ CONTEST * 1970

(Audio source: courtesy Brian Wood)

The radio experience (our group was the 8th of 10 finalists in the WKNR ‘Motor City Music Search’ contest, 1970) opened doors which allowed us further cool opportunities. We were able to play larger venues and shared the stage with The Edgar Winter Group, The James Gang, The Yardbirds and The Animals. Of course, that was the best of times.

Nowadays we play at small bars, coffee houses, farmer’s markets, and the likes of fairs and folk festivals.

If you can use these recordings and share them with Jerry Goodwin, I’d be so delighted. I had reached out to Jerry on Facebook but I didn’t receive a response. Thank you for all that you do!

Sincerely & best wishes,

Brian Wood

January 18, 2017

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Today, Motor City Radio Flashbacks features (4 presentations) the sound that was WABX, Detroit.

A MCRFB THANK YOU

A special THANK YOU to Brian Wood for sharing recently this WABX memory, now aircheck archived, with Motor City Radio Flashbacks.